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.
You Can Get It If You Really Want It
Desmond Dekker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try, try and try
You'll succeed at last
Persecution you must bear
Win or lose you've got to get your share
You can get it, though harder it may seem now
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want, yeah
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try, try and try
You'll succeed at last, don't you know it, listen
Rome was not built in a day
Opposition will come your way
But the hotter the battle you see
Is the sweeter the victory, now
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try, try and try
You'll succeed at last
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
You can get it if you really want
But you must try, try and try, try and try
You'll succeed at last, don't you know it
Though I show it, please, don't you know it
The lyrics of You Can Get It If You Really Want It by Desmond Dekker are about the power of perseverance and the belief that with determination, one can achieve their goals. The opening lines repeat the mantra that if you truly want something, you can get it. However, the song then emphasizes the importance of effort, stating that you must try and try again until you succeed. This is reinforced by the lyrics about bearing persecution, facing opposition, and the idea that the greater the struggle, the sweeter the victory.
The song's lyrics draw on everyday examples to make their point, citing the famous proverbial example that Rome wasn't built in a day. Similarly, the song suggests that it will not be easy to achieve your goals, but that through constant effort, you can succeed. The clever rhyming of the lyrics adds to the song's catchiness, making it memorable and a classic in its own right.
Overall, You Can Get It If You Really Want It is a song of hope and encouragement, directed at people who may be struggling in life or facing challenges. It reminds them that with effort and perseverance, they can overcome adversity and achieve their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
You can get it if you really want
Success is yours if you persist
You must try, try and try, try and try
Perseverance is key to realizing your dreams
You'll succeed at last
With effort, your goal is achievable
Persecution you must bear
Challenges and obstacles are inevitable
Win or lose you've got to get your share
Whether you are successful or not, you must strive for what you want
You've got your mind set on a dream
You have a clear vision and goal in mind
You can get it, though harder it may seem now
Reaching your goal may be difficult, but it is possible
Rome was not built in a day
Success takes time and effort
Opposition will come your way
Challenges and resistance are to be expected
But the hotter the battle you see
The tougher the challenge, the more rewarding the victory
Is the sweeter the victory, now
Success is more satisfying when it is hard-won
But you'll succeed at last, don't you know it, listen
Believe in yourself and keep trying, you will eventually succeed
Though I show it, please, don't you know it
Even though it may not be obvious, success is possible
Writer(s): Jimmy Cliff Copyright: Island Music Ltd.
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@BROfessordennis
Best reggae musician ever ❤🥰 👍.. Marvelous Desmond 🥰👍 I'm a white guy... Love all of your songs, and can't hold my feets still when I listen to your tracks 😊🥰🌿🤘
@gniawpoet8258
Marvelous full joy tune...a gift yo all us young black youth....who fought yo victory over racism...in 80s n beyond. Give thanks for this strong vibration....
@LifeOfJimbo
I work at Home Bargains in England, and this song is played every morning
@user-wp8vy8le3y
Yes. Great classic track. Just as long as it doesn't encourage shoplifters !
@sgraham1hotmailcom
@@user-wp8vy8le3y 😄😄😄
@anthonyperrin3411
Words fail. Exemplary. Superb. Class of his own. This and "The Israelites". Unbeatable.
@peterwoodward1382
This takes me back to my youth, this was my first reggae record. Brings back so many good memories
@softowetto
I am Groot
@petrockanroll
Give thanks to the Lord above for giving him to us for a short time, thanks truly.
@marikaplitt2334
13 Jahre alt und mein erster Disco Besuch, war das eine GEILE ZEIT, UND FÜHLTEN UNS SCHWERE LOS.