Israel Vibration is a reggae harmony trio, originating from Kingston, Jamai… Read Full Bio ↴Israel Vibration is a reggae harmony trio, originating from Kingston, Jamaica. Lascelle "Wiss" Bulgin, Albert "Apple Gabriel" Craig, and Cecil "Skeleton" Spence all overcame adversity in the form of childhood polio and went on to be one of the most successful roots groups to form in Jamaica in the late 1970s. The trio initially met at a rehabilitation center.

After going their separate ways, and each converting to the Rastafari movement, they reunited in Kingston and formed a vocal group. Funding for their first album came in the form of a grant from the Twelve Tribes of Israel branch of Rastafari after Hugh Booth, a member of the Twelve Tribes, had overheard the three men singing in a wooded area outside Kingston. Apple and Wiss were living in the area, which they had converted into a home.

Israel Vibration recorded three albums; "The Same Song", "Unconquered People", and "Why You So Craven" before temporarily disbanding in 1981 after recording sessions for the latter were left incomplete. The three men moved to the United States to seek professional health care and escape the growing Dancehall movement in Jamaica. In 1988, Gary "Dr. Dread" Himmelfarb, founder of RAS Records, urged the trio to reunite and record an album. Skelly, Apple, and Wiss were flown to Washington, D.C. to record a new album at Lion and Fox Recording Studios. "Strength of my Life", the group's fourth album and first of 18 CD releases on the RAS label, was met with great praise and is considered one of the few post-golden era touchstones of the roots reggae genre.

In 1997, Apple Gabriel left the group to pursue a solo career. Skelly and Wiss continue to record albums and tour the world as Israel Vibration, backed by longtime associates Roots Radics.

Pretty Woman
Israel Vibration Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm like the ocean, rushing to your shore
Your abundance of sweetness honey, I'll search no more
Try other woman, jealously, war at my door
One thing 'bout a pretty woman, she not insecure

'Cause I'm saying. Pretty woman, look so nice and sweet
Pretty woman; the girl I like to meet

Hey miss cutie-cutie, there's no substitute
I my loneliness, mama say
I need your swet caress

Girl Iya want to know where you get your reason
Telling me that love, love is just a season,
Sound like I am rude it's the way I'm feeling
Girl I'm in this mood waiting for your healing

A telling you something baby, I like your style
Don't say no dumb thing baby, 'cause I'm versatile
Hey! I'm saying I'm the new flavour in the air
Just one more spice make me sweeter
It's your loving my dear
You just set my soul on fire, you are my one desire
Just you be truthful, pure and clean
I want you girl for my Queen

Hey miss good shape girl, pretty face, smooth skin girl
Until we are found, we just can't settle down.

When I see you clear you fit for going steady
Tell me that you care and girl I am ready
You always talk to me, let ypourself reveal real
'Cause you know it's true just how good you would make me
Feel--real

I'm telling you something honey, you are sweeter than oil
My kind a queen-thing baby, so pure and fertile

Overall Meaning

The opening line in Israel Vibration's "Pretty Woman" shows how the singer approaches the woman he admires. He compares himself to the ocean, stating he's rushing to her shore. This is an analogy that not only highlights his determination and urgency but also the swaying and rhythmic nature in which he's coming to her. The next line, "Your abundance of sweetness honey, I'll search no more," shows how he regards her - almost like an ideal woman. It highlights the sense of contentment he feels at finally having found her. The line "One thing 'bout a pretty woman, she not insecure," is a stereotype where most pretty women are not insecure; the singer is highlighting that the girl he admires is naturally beautiful and doesn't seek validations from others.

The chorus of this song is a tribute to the beauty of the woman the singer admires. He repeatedly states, "Pretty woman, look so nice and sweet, pretty woman; the girl I like to meet." The phrase "there's no substitute" almost demonstrates a desperation for him to be with her in some form. In the following section of the song, the singer talks about how he needs her "sweet caress." He's lonely and feels like he needs her presence in his life. He expresses his curiosity by questioning the woman where she gets her reason about love - this could be interpreted as him wanting to understand her better to be with her. Toward the end of the song, the singer shows a vivid description of how much he admires the woman. He wants her to be truthful, pure, and clean, and she'll be his queen.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm like the ocean, rushing to your shore
I am completely enamored with you and drawn to you like the ocean is to the shore.

Your abundance of sweetness honey, I'll search no more
With your immense kindness, I need not look anywhere else, you are enough for me.

Try other woman, jealously, war at my door
If I seek other women, it will create chaos and battles within me due to the jealousy it would cause.

One thing 'bout a pretty woman, she not insecure
A trait that most beautiful women possess is confidence, which is why they are not insecure about themselves.

'Cause I'm saying. Pretty woman, look so nice and sweet
I cannot contain my admiration for an attractive woman, who looks both lovely and charming.

Pretty woman; the girl I like to meet
I am specifically interested in meeting a beautiful lady such as yourself.

Hey miss cutie-cutie, there's no substitute
There is no replacement for your beauty and attractiveness, miss cutie-cutie.

I my loneliness, mama say
I am reminded that when I am lonely, my mother often says that I need the touch of a woman.

I need your sweet caress
I long for your gentle touch and affection.

Girl Iya want to know where you get your reason
May I inquire where you acquire your wisdom and rationality, girl?

Telling me that love, love is just a season,
You've informed me that love is only a temporary event, a passing season that will eventually come and go.

Sound like I am rude it's the way I'm feeling
Apologies if my tone comes off as brusque, but I am expressing my candid feelings.

Girl I'm in this mood waiting for your healing
At the moment, my mood is such that I am hopeful for your soothing presence and the effect it would have on me.

A telling you something baby, I like your style
I want to let you know, dear, that I am immensely attracted to your fashion sense and demeanor.

Don't say no dumb thing baby, 'cause I'm versatile
Please don't say anything foolish or unwise, honey, because I am adaptable and versatile in nature.

Hey! I'm saying I'm the new flavour in the air
Listen, I can offer you a new and exciting experience, like a fresh breath of air, if you give me a chance.

Just one more spice make me sweeter
Just a smidge more of your affection would make me even happier and sweeter, dear.

It's your loving my dear
The love that you express towards me is what makes me feel cherished, my dear.

You just set my soul on fire, you are my one desire
You ignite my deepest passions and are my one and only true desire.

Just you be truthful, pure and clean
All I want is for you to be honest, pure and moral, my love.

I want you girl for my Queen
You are the one and only queen of my heart, my love, and I desire to have you by my side always.

Hey miss good shape girl, pretty face, smooth skin girl
Hello there, miss good physique, lovely face, and unblemished skin girl.

Until we are found, we just can't settle down.
I cannot remain content and settled in life until we find each other and commit to a relationship together.

When I see you clear you fit for going steady
Whenever I gaze upon you with clarity, it becomes apparent that you would be the perfect fit for a serious and steady relationship.

Tell me that you care and girl I am ready
If you express your feelings of affection and love towards me, I am ready to embark on a relationship with you, girl.

You always talk to me, let your self-reveal real
Please have no reservations in sharing your innermost thoughts and emotions with me, as I want to get to know the real you.

'Cause you know it's true just how good you would make me feel--real
You must be cognizant of the fact that it is genuine that your presence and affection would bring overwhelming joy and contentment to me.

I'm telling you something honey, you are sweeter than oil
Let me tell you, dear, that you are infinitely sweeter than anything else I have encountered, even the sweetness and purity of oil.

My kind a queen-thing baby, so pure and fertile
You are the ideal queen of my heart, honey, both virtuous and fertile.

Contributed by Connor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS