Born in Kent, Judge Dread was the first White British recording artist to get a reggae hit in Jamaica. He got his stage name from a Prince Buster song, and his first hits were inspired by Prince Buster's single, "Big Five".
The Guinness Book of World Records credits Judge Dread for having the most banned songs of all time. Many of his lyrics have sexual connotations, with one song "Big Five" using rhyme to suggest lewd words while not actually saying them. A series of songs with "Big" followed by a number were some of his most notable hits — all of them featuring sexual and humorous lyrics. It is unlikely that you will ever hear his music on mainstream radio because of the nature of his lyrics.
Judge Dread died on stage in The Penny Theatre, Canterbury. At first, his collapse was thought to be part of his humorous and lively stage act, but it was quickly discovered that he was really dead.
In the 1970s, tabloid newspapers expressed concerns that young fans of the comic character Judge Dredd might buy Judge Dread's records by mistake, and hear things that may corrupt their minds.
Big Six
Judge Dread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sheep's in the meadow and the cows in the corn
Ai yai ya... Where is the boy who looks after the sheep?
He's under the haystack with Little Bo Peep
Ai yai ya... Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, right on,
Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huuuh, right, name of the game... Little Miss Muffet, sat on her tuffet, her knickers all tattered and torn,
It wasn't a spider who sat down beside her -
Was Little Boy Blue with the horn Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, right on, here we go... Ikki takka tikki takka dikki takka tai ya, whop ai ya, pussy catcha fire
Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, yeah Black pussy, white pussy, pink pussy, blue,
The name of the game is a Little Boy Blue, ai... Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, right on, here we go... Rasta for I, Rasta for me, a Little Boy Blue in a ganja tree,
Smokin' the weed... Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, yeah, Boy Blue stood on a burning deck, playing a game of cricket,
The ball rolled up his trouser leg, and he stumped his middle wicket Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, right on, here we go... Ikki takka tikki takka dikki takka tai ya, whop ai ya, pussy catcha fire
Yeah, a Little Boy Blue.
Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, yeah. Black pussy, white pussy, pink pussy, blue,
The name of the game is a Little Boy Blue, bye...
The song "Big Six" by Judge Dread is known for its controversial and suggestive lyrics, often causing controversy and moral outrage. The song depicts a character named "Little Boy Blue" who is associated with various nursery rhymes of the same name. However, in this song, Little Boy Blue is not portrayed as the innocent character we know from the nursery rhymes. Instead, he is described as a promiscuous and drug-using man who is always surrounded by women ("black pussy, white pussy, pink pussy, blue").
The lyrics of the song contain numerous sexual innuendos and references to drug use, making it a controversial song. For example, the line "pussy catcha fire" is likely a reference to smoking marijuana, and "Little Boy Blue in a ganja tree" suggests that he is smoking weed. The line "her knickers all tattered and torn" is also a sexual reference.
Overall, "Big Six" is a sexually suggestive and controversial song that has been criticized for its explicit lyrics. It is a classic example of how nursery rhymes and childhood characters can be reinterpreted and sexualized in popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Boy Blue, come blow up your horn
Addressing Little Boy Blue to play his instrument
The sheep's in the meadow and the cows in the corn
Giving an update on the location of the animals
Where is the boy who looks after the sheep?
Questioning the whereabouts of the shepherd
He's under the haystack with Little Bo Peep
Answering the previous question with the location of the shepherd
Little Miss Muffet, sat on her tuffet, her knickers all tattered and torn
Describing the appearance of Little Miss Muffet
It wasn't a spider who sat down beside her - Was Little Boy Blue with the horn
Revealing that Little Boy Blue was the one who sat with Little Miss Muffet
Ikki takka tikki takka dikki takka tai ya, whop ai ya, pussy catcha fire
Nonsensical lyrics
Black pussy, white pussy, pink pussy, blue, The name of the game is a Little Boy Blue
Repeating the name of the song's protagonist and listing various colors of cats
Rasta for I, Rasta for me, a Little Boy Blue in a ganja tree, Smokin' the weed...
Describing Little Boy Blue smoking marijuana
Boy Blue stood on a burning deck, playing a game of cricket, The ball rolled up his trouser leg, and he stumped his middle wicket
Telling a story about Little Boy Blue playing cricket and getting out
Ikki takka tikki takka dikki takka tai ya, whop ai ya, pussy catcha fire
Repeating the nonsensical lyrics
Black pussy, white pussy, pink pussy, blue, The name of the game is a Little Boy Blue, bye...
Repeating the name of the song's protagonist and saying goodbye
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HUGHES, ALVIN RANGLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@imanihekima1659
As a child I always wondered why his high-charting songs were never played on TOTP. As an adult the penny dropped.
@davidmurrydixon
I knew this guy in the 70s when we lived in Chatham kent. A great loss when he died suddenly. A true artist.
@paulargent1008
Yes he Died in 1998 with heart Trouble Sadley missed very much The BBC should be ashamed with themselves for not letting Judge Dread appear on BBCS TOP OF THE POPS Singing BIG SEVEN When it got to no1 in 1972 and BIG SIX got to no1 in 1973 got all his singles all his CDS and DVDS MR P ARGENT
@colincarroll7954
Still holds the record for having the most chart singles banned by the BBC
@bettyboop59able1
So young when this came out had to be listened to in secret lol. Great memories thanks for posting this song
@deed63100
christine ruscoe I used to sing it but didn’t understand it 😂
@henkdekkers7376
I find this a damn good song i thought it was a black jamaican guy who sung this awesome!!!
@Smidgzmo
Fount it in my mum's recorded collection at the age of 10 or so and was innocent but loved the song
@piketamer
A legend in is time. R I P dread.
@andysipowicz
Love these beats.. takes me back to my 2 tone days