His stagename stemmed from his large ears, which led to the nickname Dumbo in his youth. "Ele" started out his musical career as a member of the Scare Dem Crew, later continuing as a solo artist. He was later characterized for several trademarks, such as his yellow-orange hair, his unique low-key voice, or his stage performance, which included excessive jumping and running, or even climbing on stage props and monitors. His acoustic trademark is marked by a light lisp.
The first international recognition came when Elephant Man and Puma settled a contract for using his single "All Out" for their Olympics commercial campaign in 2004.
Elephant Man has been widely criticised for his lyrics calling for violence against gay people. In 2003 British LBGT group OutRage! called for the arrest and prosecution of several dancehall stars including Elephant Man, Bounty Killer and Beenie Man for violation of hate crimes statutes [1]
Elephant Man also had a song called "Willie Bounce" that appeared on several Mixtapes in early 2006. It borrowed the first few bars from I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.
Recently, the Jamaican star has been signed to New York-based label Bad Boy Entertainment.
Pon De River Pon De Bank
Elephant Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (John)
But I've Never Seen A Dance Like This (Bogle)
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (Keeva And Stacy)
But A Dah One Yah Come Top Di Lis
A'right Real Badman Nuh Wear People Pants
We Spen' Pound,An Wi Spen Frank
John Have A New Dance A Lock Jamaican An' BronX
Pon Di River Pon Di Bank
Kick Out Yuh Shoes Because Yuh Foot Dem Nuh Cramp
Inna Di River Pan Di Bank
John Have A New Dance A Lock Jamaican An Bronx (yeah)
Dung Di Frank,Wi A Go Dung Di Frank
Like A Balla,Wi A Go Dung Di Frank
Yuh Jeep Pretty,An' Gas Inna Yuh Tank
Bus Di New Dance,Yuh Nuh Wear People Pants (Cool)
Gi Dem A Run Jhon,Gi Dema Run,Gi Dem A Run
We An' Di Girls A Have A Fun (Bogle)
Gi Dem A Run,Gi Dem A Run,Gi Dem A run
Wi An' Di Girls A Have A Fun
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (John)
But I've Never Seen A Dance Like This (Bogle)
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (Keeva And Stacy)
But A Dah One Yah Come Top Di Lis
A'Right,Labba Labba
Seh Him A GEt Ole,An Can Badda We Di Music Hit Him,Hi Drop Weed An Grabba
Bus Di Dance,From Di River,To Di Bandereba
Love How Di Dance Dem A Live Together
Everybody Bawl Out Seh, What A Dream Team
John, Bogle? A Keeva And The Dancehall Queen
Up Inna Di Video,Yuh Affi Bling An' Clean
Hot Monday,Seh Everybody A Rope In
An' Go Show Dean,Weh Yuh Sey
Yuh Luv Di Dance,See What A Mean
Da Dance Yah,A Lock Down Di Housing Scheme
Spanish Town,Calaloo Bed,Tivoli And Papine
Ms.Dear Baby San,Dash Weh Har Dasheen
Sey Da Tune Yah Bad,Dat She Did Affi Intavene
Watch How She A Dance,Till Har Boot Heel Lean
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (John)
But I've Never Seen A Dance Like This (Bogle)
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (Keeva And Stacy)
But A Dah One Yah Come Top Di Lis
A'right Cockburn Pen Team Up Wid Drewsland
Stacy An' Keeva Start Shake Han' Joe Tek On Any Gyal
Weh Waan Com Tek On Di Gang Har Dance Affi Unite
An' Live As One John,Bogle A Unnu Mi A Talk Lock Di Riverbed,Now Di Sea Part
Bogle A Wave,An' Tear Di Dance Apart
John Do Di New Dance,An' Bus It Inna Half
Real Banman Nuh Wear People Pants
We Tek Dancing To A Higher Rank
We Spen' Pound,An Wi Spen Frank
John Have A New Dance A Lock Jamaican An' BronX
Pon Di River Pon Di Bank
Kick Out Yuh Shoes Because Yuh Foot Dem Nuh Cramp
Pon Di River Pan Di Bank
John Have A New Dance A Lock Jamaican An Bronx
Dung Di Frank,Wi A Go Dung Di Frank
Like A Balla,Wi A Go Dung Di Frank
Yuh Jeep Pretty,An' Gas Inna Yuh Tank
Bus Di New Dance,Yuh Nuh Wear People Pants
Gi Dem A Run Jhon,Gi Dema Run,Gi Dem A Run
Wi An' Di Girls A Have A Fun
Gi Dem A Run,Gi Dem A Run,Gi Dem A run
Mi and keva A Have Fun
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (John)
But I've Never Seen A Dance Like This (Bogle)
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (Keeva And Stacy)
But A Dah One Yah Come Top Di Lis
The lyrics to Elephant Man’s “Pon De River Pon De Bank” describe a new dance phenomenon that is taking over the Jamaican and Bronx dance scene. The song references the originators of the dance, Bogle, John, Keeva, and Stacy, and suggests that this dance is unlike any other. The dance is highly energetic, and the lyrics promote letting loose, kicking off your shoes, and having fun. The song also touches on themes of community and unity, as different neighborhoods come together to enjoy the new dance craze.
The lyrics to “Pon De River Pon De Bank” are not only catchy but also represent an important cultural moment in dance history. The song pays homage to the creators of a new dance craze, giving them credit and respect for their innovation. The song also highlights the importance of community and cultural unity, with the dance bringing people together from different neighborhoods and backgrounds. Additionally, the song promotes letting loose and having fun, emphasizing the positive aspects of coming together through dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea good to go
We're ready to start!
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (John)
I've seen many dances before, but none like John's.
But I've Never Seen A Dance Like This (Bogle)
Bogle's dance is unique and like nothing I've seen before.
I've Seen Nuff Dance Before (Keeva And Stacy)
I've seen many dances before, but none like what Keeva and Stacy are doing.
But A Dah One Yah Come Top Di Lis
This dance is the best I've seen so far!
A'right Real Badman Nuh Wear People Pants
Real bad boys don't wear regular pants when they dance.
We Tek Dancing To A Higher Rank
We take dancing to a higher level.
We Spen' Pound,An Wi Spen Frank
We spend British pounds and Jamaican dollars on this dance.
John Have A New Dance A Lock Jamaican An' BronX
John has created a new dance that is popular in Jamaica and the Bronx.
Pon Di River Pon Di Bank
We dance on the river bank.
Kick Out Yuh Shoes Because Yuh Foot Dem Nuh Cramp
Take off your shoes so your feet won't cramp while we dance.
Inna Di River Pan Di Bank
We even dance in the river while on the bank.
Dung Di Frank,Wi A Go Dung Di Frank
Let's dance down to Frank's place.
Like A Balla,Wi A Go Dung Di Frank
We dance to Frank's like we're ballers.
Yuh Jeep Pretty,An' Gas Inna Yuh Tank
Your car is nice and has a full tank of gas.
Bus Di New Dance,Yuh Nuh Wear People Pants
Come dance with us and wear something other than regular pants.
Gi Dem A Run Jhon,Gi Dema Run,Gi Dem A Run
Let's get everyone dancing like John does!
We An' Di Girls A Have A Fun (Bogle)
We and the girls are having a great time!
A'right Cockburn Pen Team Up Wid Drewsland
Let's team up with people from Cockburn Pen and Drewsland.
Stacy An' Keeva Start Shake Han' Joe Tek On Any Gyal
Stacy and Keeva are dancing and attracting attention from lots of guys.
Weh Waan Com Tek On Di Gang Har Dance Affi Unite An' Live As One
Anyone who wants to join in the dance is welcome and we will all dance and live together as one.
Lock Di Riverbed,Now Di Sea Part Bogle A Wave,An' Tear Di Dance Apart
We completely take over the riverbed and dance our hearts out, led by Bogle.
Real Banman Nuh Wear People Pants
Real bad boys don't wear regular pants when they dance.
Dung Di Frank,Wi A Go Dung Di Frank Like A Balla,Wi A Go Dung Di Frank
Let's dance down to Frank's like we're ballers.
Gi Dem A Run,Gi Dem A Run,Gi Dem A run Mi and keva A Have Fun
Let's get everyone dancing like John does! Keva and I are having so much fun!
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KIRK FORD, KEITH BENNETT, O'NEIL(ELEPHANT MAN) BRYAN, CRAIG PARKES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind