Desmond Dekker (born in Kingston, Jamaica on 16 July 1941 - deceased 25 May… Read Full Bio ↴Desmond Dekker (born in Kingston, Jamaica on 16 July 1941 - deceased 25 May 2006), was a Jamaican ska and reggae singer and songwriter. Together with his backing group, The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had the first international Jamaican hit, Israelites. Other hits include 007 (Shanty Town) (1967) and It Mek (1968). Before the ascent of Bob Marley, Dekker was the best-known Jamaican musician outside of his country, and one of the most popular within it.
He was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in St. Andrew, Jamaica and grew up in Kingston, where he attended the Alpha Boys' School. After his mother took ill and died, his father moved him to St. Mary's, and then to St. Thomas, where he apprenticed as a tailor before returning to Kingston and taking a job as a welder, singing around his workplace while his co-workers encouraged him. In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle). Neither were impressed by his talents, and the young man moved on to Leslie Kong's Beverley record label, where he auditioned before Derrick Morgan, then the label's biggest star.
With Morgan's support, Dekker was signed but did not record until 1963 because Leslie Kong wanted to wait for the perfect song, which "Honour Your Father and Mother" was felt to be.
“Honour Your Father and Mother” was a hit and was followed by “Sinners Come Home” and “Labour for Learning,” as well as a name change (from Desmond Dacres to Desmond Dekker). His fourth hit, however, made him into one of the island's biggest stars. It was “King of Ska,” a rowdy and jubilant song on which Dekker was backed by The Cherrypies (also known as The Maytals). The song remains well known among ska fans. Dekker then recruited four brothers, Carl, Patrick, Clive and Barry Howard, who became his backing band, The Four Aces.
Dekker and the Howards recorded a number of hits including “Parents,” “Get Up Edina,” “This Woman,” and “Mount Zion.” Until 1967 Dekker's songs were polite and conveyed respectable, mainstream messages. In that year, however, he appeared on Derrick Morgan's “Tougher Than Tough,” which helped begin a trend of popular songs glamourizing the violent rude boy culture. Dekker's own songs did not go to the extremes of many other popular tunes though he did introduce lyrics which resonated with the rude boys starting with one of his best-known songs, “007 (Shanty Town)”. The song established Dekker as a rude boy icon and also became an established hero in the United Kingdom's mod scene. “007 (Shanty Town)” was a Top 15 hit in the UK, and he toured that country with a posse of mods following him.
Dekker continued with songs in the same vein such as “Rude Boy Train” and “Rudie Got Soul”, as well as continuing with his previous themes of religion and morality in songs like “It's a Shame”, “Wise Man”, “Hey Grandma”, “Unity”, “It Pays”, “Mother's Young Girl” and “Sabotage.” His “Pretty Africa” is a long-standing favourite among his fans and may be the earliest popular song promoting repatriation. Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town).
In 1968 Dekker's “Israelites” was released, appearing on both the U.S. and UK singles chart, and eventually topping the latter and peaking in the Top Ten of the former. He was the first Jamaican performer to enter U.S. markets with pure Jamaican music, though he never repeated the feat. Equally, the track became the first reggae song to top the UK chart. That same year saw the release of “Beautiful and Dangerous,” “Writing on the Wall,” “Music Like Dirt”, “Bongo Girl,” and “Shing a Ling.” In the same year, Dekker was mentioned as "Desmond" by his friend Paul McCartney in The Beatles' song "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", when it was released on 'The White Album'.
1969 saw the release of “It Mek,” which first saw only lukewarm success but was re-recorded and became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. He also released “Problems” and “Pickney Gal,” both of which were popular in Jamaica but saw only limited success elsewhere.
Mid career (the 1970s)
In the 1970s Dekker spent most of his time touring and moved to the UK, where he continued to record. Among his best known releases of this period was “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” written by Jimmy Cliff, which Dekker had not wanted to record but was convinced to do so by Leslie Kong. Dekker's recording of the song uses the same instrumental backing track as Cliff's original.
Kong, whose production had been an instrumental part of both Dekker's and Cliff's careers, died in 1971 and both his protegés lost direction for a period before returning to music.
Dekker continued recording, but with only limited success until he began working with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. His first hit with the pair was 1975's “Sing a Little Song” which climbed in to the British Top Ten. Dekker was unable to follow its success, however, and did not chart in the UK for some time (except for the Top Ten re-charting of “Israelites” in 1975). Dekker also found only a limited audience in Jamaica.
At the end of the 1970s Dekker signed with Stiff Records, a punk label linked with the Two-Tone movement, a fusion of punk and ska. He recorded an album called Black & Dekker which featured his previous hits backed by The Rumour, Graham Parker's backing band. His first single was “Israelites,” a Top Ten Belgian hit, and was followed by “Please Don't Bend,” Jimmy Cliff's “Many Rivers to Cross” and “Book of Rules.” His next album was Compass Point, produced by Robert Palmer. Though Compass Point did not sell well, Dekker was still a popular live performer and he toured with The Rumour.
Later life
In the early 1980s, as the Two Tone movement died out, he saw his fortunes dwindle and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. Only a single live album was released in the late 80s, but a new version of “Israelites” reawakened public interest in 1990, following its use in a Maxell advertisement. He re-recorded some old singles, and worked with The Specials for 1992's King of Kings', which used hits from Dekker's musical heroes, including Derrick Morgan.
He also collaborated on a remix version of his classic “Israelites” with reggae artist Apache Indian.
Death
Desmond Dekker died of a heart attack on 25 May 2006, at his home in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon , England, aged 64. He was preparing to headline a world music festival in Prague. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter.
He was born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in St. Andrew, Jamaica and grew up in Kingston, where he attended the Alpha Boys' School. After his mother took ill and died, his father moved him to St. Mary's, and then to St. Thomas, where he apprenticed as a tailor before returning to Kingston and taking a job as a welder, singing around his workplace while his co-workers encouraged him. In 1961 he auditioned for Coxsone Dodd (Studio One) and Duke Reid (Treasure Isle). Neither were impressed by his talents, and the young man moved on to Leslie Kong's Beverley record label, where he auditioned before Derrick Morgan, then the label's biggest star.
With Morgan's support, Dekker was signed but did not record until 1963 because Leslie Kong wanted to wait for the perfect song, which "Honour Your Father and Mother" was felt to be.
“Honour Your Father and Mother” was a hit and was followed by “Sinners Come Home” and “Labour for Learning,” as well as a name change (from Desmond Dacres to Desmond Dekker). His fourth hit, however, made him into one of the island's biggest stars. It was “King of Ska,” a rowdy and jubilant song on which Dekker was backed by The Cherrypies (also known as The Maytals). The song remains well known among ska fans. Dekker then recruited four brothers, Carl, Patrick, Clive and Barry Howard, who became his backing band, The Four Aces.
Dekker and the Howards recorded a number of hits including “Parents,” “Get Up Edina,” “This Woman,” and “Mount Zion.” Until 1967 Dekker's songs were polite and conveyed respectable, mainstream messages. In that year, however, he appeared on Derrick Morgan's “Tougher Than Tough,” which helped begin a trend of popular songs glamourizing the violent rude boy culture. Dekker's own songs did not go to the extremes of many other popular tunes though he did introduce lyrics which resonated with the rude boys starting with one of his best-known songs, “007 (Shanty Town)”. The song established Dekker as a rude boy icon and also became an established hero in the United Kingdom's mod scene. “007 (Shanty Town)” was a Top 15 hit in the UK, and he toured that country with a posse of mods following him.
Dekker continued with songs in the same vein such as “Rude Boy Train” and “Rudie Got Soul”, as well as continuing with his previous themes of religion and morality in songs like “It's a Shame”, “Wise Man”, “Hey Grandma”, “Unity”, “It Pays”, “Mother's Young Girl” and “Sabotage.” His “Pretty Africa” is a long-standing favourite among his fans and may be the earliest popular song promoting repatriation. Many of the hits from this era came from his debut album, 007 (Shanty Town).
In 1968 Dekker's “Israelites” was released, appearing on both the U.S. and UK singles chart, and eventually topping the latter and peaking in the Top Ten of the former. He was the first Jamaican performer to enter U.S. markets with pure Jamaican music, though he never repeated the feat. Equally, the track became the first reggae song to top the UK chart. That same year saw the release of “Beautiful and Dangerous,” “Writing on the Wall,” “Music Like Dirt”, “Bongo Girl,” and “Shing a Ling.” In the same year, Dekker was mentioned as "Desmond" by his friend Paul McCartney in The Beatles' song "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da", when it was released on 'The White Album'.
1969 saw the release of “It Mek,” which first saw only lukewarm success but was re-recorded and became a hit both in Jamaica and the UK. He also released “Problems” and “Pickney Gal,” both of which were popular in Jamaica but saw only limited success elsewhere.
Mid career (the 1970s)
In the 1970s Dekker spent most of his time touring and moved to the UK, where he continued to record. Among his best known releases of this period was “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” written by Jimmy Cliff, which Dekker had not wanted to record but was convinced to do so by Leslie Kong. Dekker's recording of the song uses the same instrumental backing track as Cliff's original.
Kong, whose production had been an instrumental part of both Dekker's and Cliff's careers, died in 1971 and both his protegés lost direction for a period before returning to music.
Dekker continued recording, but with only limited success until he began working with the production duo Bruce Anthony in 1974. His first hit with the pair was 1975's “Sing a Little Song” which climbed in to the British Top Ten. Dekker was unable to follow its success, however, and did not chart in the UK for some time (except for the Top Ten re-charting of “Israelites” in 1975). Dekker also found only a limited audience in Jamaica.
At the end of the 1970s Dekker signed with Stiff Records, a punk label linked with the Two-Tone movement, a fusion of punk and ska. He recorded an album called Black & Dekker which featured his previous hits backed by The Rumour, Graham Parker's backing band. His first single was “Israelites,” a Top Ten Belgian hit, and was followed by “Please Don't Bend,” Jimmy Cliff's “Many Rivers to Cross” and “Book of Rules.” His next album was Compass Point, produced by Robert Palmer. Though Compass Point did not sell well, Dekker was still a popular live performer and he toured with The Rumour.
Later life
In the early 1980s, as the Two Tone movement died out, he saw his fortunes dwindle and he was declared bankrupt in 1984. Only a single live album was released in the late 80s, but a new version of “Israelites” reawakened public interest in 1990, following its use in a Maxell advertisement. He re-recorded some old singles, and worked with The Specials for 1992's King of Kings', which used hits from Dekker's musical heroes, including Derrick Morgan.
He also collaborated on a remix version of his classic “Israelites” with reggae artist Apache Indian.
Death
Desmond Dekker died of a heart attack on 25 May 2006, at his home in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon , England, aged 64. He was preparing to headline a world music festival in Prague. Mr. Dekker was divorced and is survived by a son and daughter.
Reggae Recipe
Desmond Dekker Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Desmond Dekker:
(Poor Mi) Israelites Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir So that…
0 (Shanty Town) 0-0-7 0-0-7 At ocean eleven And now rudeboys have a…
0.0.7. 0-0-7, 0-0-7 At ocean eleven And now rude boys have…
007 0-0-7 0-0-7 At Ocean 11 And now rude boys have go wail ?Caus…
007 (Shanty Town) 0-0-7 0-0-7 At ocean eleven And now rudeboys have a goil 'Ca…
007 Shanty Town 007, 007 At ocean eleven And now rudeboys a go wail 'Cause t…
01 Hanging Tree The hanging tree The hanging tree The hanging tree The hangi…
06 Wise Man A wise man keeps perfect life And the life of a…
A It Mek Aaaahhhh You think I never see you when you jump over…
A It Miek Aaahhhh... You think I never see you when you jump over…
Ah It Mek Aaaahhhh You think I never see you when you jump over…
Baby Come Back Come back Baby, come back Baby, come back Baby, come back T…
Beautiful & Dangerous Why, oh why, oh why, oh why Tell me why Why, oh…
Beware Beware of what you're saying Beware of what you're doing Bew…
Blackbird Blackbird singing in the dead of night Take these broken win…
Bongo Gal I like the way how you hold and treat me…
Carry Go Bring Come This carry go bring come, my dear, brings misery This carry…
Come Back to Me Come back Baby, come back Baby, come back Baby, come back T…
Coomyah Coomyah Coomyah Coomyah Coomyah Coomyah yeah yeah Coomyah C…
Dancing Mood Well, I'm in some dancing mood Well, I'm in some dancing…
Fat Man Hey you, fat man (Hey you, fat man) Leave my girl alone Hey…
First Time for a Long Time Nan ibyorul mollaso saranman araso manhi himi dungabwa Non i…
For Once in My Life For once in my life I have someone who needs…
Fu Man Chu Counting the days 'til the ice turns green You know when…
Fu Manchu Counting the days 'til the ice turns green You know when…
Get Up a Diner Get up Edina Get up Edina, a let me tell you…
Gimme Gimme I want a the bow-wow-wow That's what me say Gimme, gimme, …
Halfway to Paradise I want to be your lover But your friend is…
Hanging Tree The hanging tree The hanging tree The hanging tree The hangi…
Hey Grandma Hey Grandma I didn't mean to stay out late Hey Grandma Can't…
Hippopotamus Skinheads, all you skinheads C'mon, let's move and groove, o…
Honour Your Father and Mother Honor your mother and your father that your days may…
Humpty Dumpty Once there was an old lady who lived in a…
I Believe I believe, I believe It all depends on what you believe Whoa…
Intensified we're having a party I hope you are hearty we're having…
Intensified '68 We're having a party I hope you are hearty (yeah) We're…
Israelites Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir So that…
Isrealites Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir, So that…
It Aaaahhhh You think I never see you when you jump over…
It Is Not Easy Oh, Lord, it is not easy Oh, Lord, I can't stand…
It Meek You think I never see you when you jump over…
It Mek Aaaahhhh You think I never see you when you jump over…
It Miek Aaaahhhh.... You think I never see you when you jump over…
It Miek (feat. The Aces) You think I never see you when you jump over…
It Pays Oh Lord, it's you It pays, it pays Every man, every woman E…
It's Not Easy Oh, Lord, it is not easy Oh, Lord, I can't stand…
Jamaica Ska Ska ska ska, Jamaica ska. Not many people can cha cha…
Keep a Cool Head Keep a cool head (Don't get excited) Keep a cool head (If yo…
King Of Kings Take your time, take time for the king is back, Take…
King Of Ska '93 * Take your time, take time for the king is back, Take…
Lickin Papa, papa, papa Do not lick me with that Mama, mama, mama…
Licking Stick Papa, papa, papa Do not lick me with that Mama, mama, mama I…
Life For once in my life I have someone who needs…
Live and Learn Bow, bow, bow, bow, bow, bow Bow, bow, bow, bow, bow,…
Man Counting the days 'til the ice turns green You know when…
Many Rivers to Cross Many rivers to cross But I can't seem to find My way…
Mother Honor your mother and your father that your days may…
Mother Long Tongue Wha, wha, wha Mother Long Tongue You belly a go bun…
Mother Nature La la la la la la la La la la la…
Mother Pepper Why, why, why, why Mother Pepper? Why, why, why, Why Mother…
Mother's Young Gal Mother young gal Oh, oh, oh Hold yu belly Wha' mek yu fool…
Music Like Dirt We're having a party I hope you are hearty (yeah) We're…
Nincompoop You say what I don't say, girl I know what you…
Pickney Gal I put my money into a condens can You steal it…
Pickney Girl I put my money into a condens can You steal it…
Roots Rock Ha ha ha high (High, high, high, high) Ha ha ha high (High,…
Rude Boy Train The rude boy train is comin' now The rude boy train…
Rudi Got Soul You are the one I adore That is why I flipped…
Sabotage Sabotaging Sabotage Sabotaging Sabotage You're trying to hu…
Shanty town 0-0-7 0-0-7 At Ocean 11 And now rude boys have go wail ?Caus…
Shing a Ling dumb shinga liiiinngggggggg singa shinga liiiinngg oooohohoh…
Sing a Little Song When your heart is filled with sorrow Sing a little song,…
Sing A Song When your heart is filled with sorrow Sing a little song Sin…
Sugar Dumpling What you need is some good old loving Come on my…
Sweet Music Sweet music the sound of freedom Sweet music the sound of…
Take It Easy Take your time, take your time, take your time No need…
The Israelites Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir So that…
The Israelites (feat. The Aces) Get up in the morning Slaving for bread, sir So that every…
The Man Counting the days 'til the ice turns green You know when…
The More You Live Bow, bow, bow, bow, bow, bow Bow, bow, bow, bow, bow,…
The Song We Used To Sing There was a song we used to sing Whenever this life…
This Woman Oh yeah Here is a Jezebel (ah) More like a lion (ah) Here…
Tips of My Fingers I reached out my arms and I touched you with…
Unity This is the time that we all should live as…
Where Did It Go There was a song we used to sing Whenever this life…
Wimoweh In the jungle the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight In…
Wise Man A wise man keeps perfect life And the life of a…
Wiseman A wise man keeps perfect life And the life of a…
You You can get it if you really want You can get…
You Can Get It If You Really Want It You can get it if you really want You can get…
You Got Soul You are the one I adore That is why I flipped…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Steven van der Sloot
Great song👍,Bringing back memories❤
theselecta
En ce moment, je me rends compte de la chance que j'ai d'avoir pu voir ce grand monsieur en live :)
xavier de Cozar
Delicious sound .Desmond king of kings
c Guerrero
The original MC’s! Beautiful
Brian Song
I've been researching this, but who is the MC who is leading the song? I don't think it's Desmond. He's got the greatest broadcaster's voice ever.Â
kennykool53
sounds like jeff barnes to me
Thumpersloper
Gustavo Vison I think it is Delroy Wilson too.
Gustavo Vison
I'm not sure about the mc, there are two here at the first, maybe Delroy Williams was one of them?
Alain Schmidt
Thank You For This Version. I´ve never heard it b4 and it is so HUGE!! Its true there is a Little Blemish...But I´ve recorded it and fixed...wanna resend of reupload?
Maria Ignacia Bravo Zepeda
Gustavo, tanto tiempo, quizás no me recuerdes, pero una vez me agregaste a fb, soy MarĂa Ignacia de Chile! Justo estaba buscando este tema, y me sorprendio ver que tu lo subiste, gracias :D Saludos y cariños!