Born in Jamaica in 1965, Blake was born blind but as a child had his sight partially restored by an operation on a hospital ship. He sang for, and impressed Stevie Wonder when Wonder visited the school that Blake attended, prompting him to pursue a singing career.
Adopting the stage name Frankie Paul, he first found fame in the early 1980s, and he recorded prolifically throughout the decade. He has recorded for virtually every producer and studio in Jamaica at some time, and has been known to release several albums a year.
Notable works of Frankie Paul include the popular "Sara" and "Worries in the Dance".
Paul has resided in Gambia since 1994. In January 2016 he underwent surgery to amputate a foot and part of his leg.
Frankie Paul died on 18 May 2017 at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica.
Citation
"Frankie Paul has a voice that improves with each release and, although initially compared with Dennis Brown, he has evolved a strange nasal, throaty style that makes him sound much older. It's the sheer exuberance of his best performances that give away his youthfulness, and his two London appearances have been joyous occasions." - NME (4 May 1985)
Discography
Albums
Give The Youth A Chance (1982), Freedom Sounds - also released as Rich & Poor
Pass the Ku-Sheng Peng (1985) Nyam Up
Tidal Wave - (1985) - Greensleeves
Over the Wall (1985) Crystal
Still Alive (1985) Jammy's
Shut Up Bway (1986) Ujama
Sara (1987) Jammy's (JA) / Live & Love (UK/US)
Warning (1987) RAS
Alesha - (1987)
Fire Deh a Mus Tail (1988) Blacka Dread
Dance Hall Duo (1988) RAS
Slow Down (1988) VP
Frankie Paul at Studio One (1988) Studio One
Veteran (1989) VP
Reaching Out (1989), Blue Mountain
Can't Get You Out of My Mind (1990) Rohit
Detrimental (1990) Rohit
Get Closer (1990) Profile
Start of Romance (1991) Sonic Sounds
Best in Me (1991), VP
Let's Chill (1991) VP
Jamming (1991) VP
Should I (1991) Heartbeat
Money Talk (1991) Jammy's
Sleepless Night (1992) Sonic Sounds
Hot Number (1992) VP
Tomorrow (1992) Sonic Sounds
Cassanova (1992) Dynamic Sounds
Live & Love (1992) VP
Sizzling (1992) VP
Don Man (1993) Philo
Talk All You Want (1994) VP
Hard Work(1994) RAS
Time Less (1995) Tan-yah
If You Want Me Girl (1995) Trojan
Come Back Again (1996) VP
Freedom (1996) RAS
A We Rule (1997) RAS
Live at Maritime Hall (1999) Artists Only
Give Me That Feeling Freedom Blues (1999) Foxtail
Forever (1999) World
Rock On (1999) Charm
Every Nigger Is a Star! (2000) Greensleeves
Remember the Time (2001) Artists Only
I Be Hold (2001) T.P.
Don't Wanna Get Funky (2001) Prestige Elite
Sara (2002) Fatman
Blessed Me (2002) Scorpio
Hardcore Loving (2003) Charm
Asking for Love (2004) Jet Star
Who Issued the Guns (2006) Music Avenue
Are You Ready (2007) Cousins
Best of Friends (2007) Charm
Tink Say Dem Know Me (2008) Jet Star
Most Wanted (2011) Greensleeves
Raggamuffin
Frankie Paul Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mek yuh mate we no seh one of a kind
Right above front yuh no waan left behind
A yuh me sweet thing fe mek the heads high
Frankie father, tell her fe me no rude bwoy!
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
Beca wha me bawl!
Raggamuffin gal yuh a so sweet and yuh so nice (ooh we)
Body just a shock yuh a me number one choice
Gal yuh discipline come and take the prize (ooh we)
Anytime me see yuh gal me get hypnotized, beca
She pretty pretty an she ruff in a she walk an
The raggamuffin gal them know them a the talk an
Watch the gal look how the woman them a shock
Frankie Paul and the Indian a chat
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
Here it all now Frankie, me bawl!
Gal them ready, them no fight and them no fuss
Step outta line and then the raggamuffin cuss (ooh we)
Sexy gal a know them haffe get rush an
Big up yourself beca a yuh time fe boss, beca
Them no waan no man come tell them how them fe flex an (flex)
The raggamuffin gal them know how fe dress an
Bumba fat and them push out them chest an
Watch the man how them a bust out a fret
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
Tell them now Frankie!
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
A yuh a time FP, ca!
She's raggamuffin
I need her so (I need her so)
And when she's near me
I can't let her go (can't let her go)
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
A when I tell yuh man!
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
Hear it all them raggamuffin gal, rude boy!
Anytime the Indian deh ya
The gal them flex on fire
Anytime me come them just a rush inna the place ca
Seh me a raggamuffin
And yuh know me nah watch nothing
Big up yourself gal in yuh sequence an yuh list ca
Raggamuffin girl, girl
She's my raggamuffin baby love (baby love)
Tell them Frankie!
Ooh raggamuffin girl, girl
She's my raggamuffin baby girl
Indian possee!
Thusee gol meri soonor here the Raja me a talk an
The soorni curi come out after dark an
Banghra ba curi not sari raat an
Me Don Rani tell a time haffe shock an
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
All raggamuffin girls!
She's raggamuffin (she's raggamuffin)
I need her so (I need her so)
And when she's near me (and when she's near me)
I can't let her go (I can't let her go)
Raggamuffin girl, girl
My raggamuffin baby girl, yeah
Raggamuffin girl, girl
My raggamuffin baby girl, ah ha, ah ha
Lord a mercy, Lord a mercy
Raggamuffin
Lord a mercy, Lord a mercy
You're my raggamuffin baby
Raggamuffin
You're love is so sweet like candy
Raggamuffin
You're my raggamuffin baby
Raggamuffin
Raggamuffin
You're love is so sweet like candy
Raggamuffin
Oh baby
Raggamuffin
You're my raggamuffin baby
Raggamuffin
"Raggamuffin" by Frankie Paul is a song that celebrates and praises a lively and confident woman who exudes a unique and captivating charm. The term "raggamuffin" is often used in reggae music to describe someone who is stylish, carefree, and unafraid to stand out. The lyrics express admiration and appreciation for the raggamuffin girl, highlighting her individuality and asserting that she is one of a kind.
The song emphasizes the attractiveness of the raggamuffin girl, describing her as sweet, nice, and mesmerizing. Her body and appearance are sources of fascination, and she possesses a certain discipline and confidence that sets her apart. She commands attention and admiration wherever she goes, making heads turn.
Throughout the song, the lyrics also touch on the idea of self-expression and assertiveness. The raggamuffin girl is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for herself. The lines about not wanting to be left behind and not tolerating any disrespect suggest that she is strong-willed and demands to be treated with respect.
Overall, "Raggamuffin" is a catchy and upbeat song that celebrates the beauty and confidence of a raggamuffin girl, emphasizing her unique qualities and unapologetic individuality.
Line by Line Meaning
Raggamuffin gal a yuh time fe shine
It's your time to shine, raggamuffin girl
Mek yuh mate we no seh one of a kind
Let your partner know that you're unique
Right above front yuh no waan left behind
Stay ahead and never be left behind
A yuh me sweet thing fe mek the heads high
You're my sweet thing that makes me proud
Frankie father, tell her fe me no rude bwoy!
Frankie's father, tell her I'm not a rude boy
Raggamuffin girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's a wild and free-spirited girl
She's my raggamuffin baby girl (she's a raggamuffin)
She's my beloved wild and free-spirited girl
Beca wha me bawl!
Because of what I'm crying out for!
Raggamuffin gal yuh a so sweet and yuh so nice (ooh we)
Raggamuffin girl, you're so sweet and nice
Body just a shock yuh a me number one choice
Your body just stuns me, you're my first choice
Gal yuh discipline come and take the prize (ooh we)
Girl, your self-control deserves recognition and reward
Anytime me see yuh gal me get hypnotized, beca
Whenever I see you, girl, I get mesmerized, because
She pretty pretty an she ruff in a she walk an
She's beautiful and confident in her walk
The raggamuffin gal them know them a the talk an
The wild and free-spirited girls know they're the talk of the town
Watch the gal look how the woman them a shock
Everyone is amazed by the way these girls carry themselves
Frankie Paul and the Indian a chat
Frankie Paul and the Indian are having a conversation
Gal them ready, them no fight and them no fuss
These girls are prepared, they don't argue or cause trouble
Step outta line and then the raggamuffin cuss (ooh we)
If you misbehave, the wild and free-spirited girl will curse at you
Sexy gal a know them haffe get rush an
All the sexy girls know they'll attract attention
Big up yourself beca a yuh time fe boss, beca
Congratulate yourself because it's your time to be in charge
Them no waan no man come tell them how them fe flex an (flex)
They don't want anyone telling them how to act or behave
The raggamuffin gal them know how fe dress an
The wild and free-spirited girls know how to dress
Bumba fat and them push out them chest an
With their curvaceous bodies, they proudly display their chests
Watch the man how them a bust out a fret
See how the men are impressed and eager to approach them
A yuh a time FP, ca!
It's your time, Frankie Paul!
She's raggamuffin
She's a wild and free-spirited girl
I need her so (I need her so)
I desire her so much
And when she's near me
And when she's close to me
I can't let her go (can't let her go)
I can't allow myself to lose her
Raggamuffin girl, girl
Wild and free-spirited girl
She's my raggamuffin baby girl
She's my beloved wild and free-spirited girl
Here it all now Frankie, me bawl!
Now listen up, Frankie, I'm screaming!
Anytime the Indian deh ya
Whenever the Indian is here
The gal them flex on fire
These girls are confident and attractive
Anytime me come them just a rush inna the place ca
Every time I come around, they rush to be near me
Seh me a raggamuffin
They say I'm a wild and free-spirited man
And yuh know me nah watch nothing
And you know I don't care about anything
Big up yourself gal in yuh sequence an yuh list ca
Celebrate yourself, girl, with your style and presence
Raggamuffin girl, girl
Wild and free-spirited girl
My raggamuffin baby girl, yeah
My beloved wild and free-spirited girl
She's raggamuffin (she's raggamuffin)
She's a wild and free-spirited girl
I need her so (I need her so)
I desire her so much
And when she's near me (and when she's near me)
And when she's close to me
I can't let her go (I can't let her go)
I can't allow myself to lose her
Hear it all them raggamuffin gal, rude boy!
Listen, all you wild and free-spirited girls, rude boy!
Thusee gol meri soonor here the Raja me a talk an
Listen, my sweet girl, hear the Raja speaking
The soorni curi come out after dark an
The beautiful and curious ones come out at night
Banghra ba curi not sari raat an
Dance all night, not just for an evening
Me Don Rani tell a time haffe shock an
Me, Don Rani, will shock you at the right moment
You're my raggamuffin baby
You're my wild and free-spirited baby
You're love is so sweet like candy
Your love is as sweet as candy
You're my raggamuffin baby
You're my wild and free-spirited baby
Raggamuffin
Wild and free-spirited
You're love is so sweet like candy
Your love is as sweet as candy
You're my raggamuffin baby
You're my wild and free-spirited baby
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: DAVE HEYWOOD, IAN CHAND, LEROY HEYWOOD, STEPHEN KAPUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Prof Wuod Yimbo
on Rub A Dub Market
Can I get the lyrics please
Alessandro Vaccari
on Programme
Sound..a programme
Deno Antonio Vassell
on Sarah
Great song, has new meaning.