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.
Take Off Your Clothes
Judge Dread Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me see what it is that your hiding
And don't look so shocked
You have nothing to fear from my eyes
Chorus:
My daddy, is a priest you know
And I am, not a beast you now
I just, want to love (x2)
Take off your clothes,
And stand naked as nature intended
And I'll take off mine,
Just to show you that I'm in good faith
Chorus
I just, want to look (x2)
Well now you can see,
It isn't as bad as all that
So lie on the bed,
And I'll talk of my unhappy childhood
My daddy, is the pope you know
And I just, want to grope you know
I just want to feel (x2)
It will not hurt
I promise you that, cross my heart
The first time is always the best
You can ask anybody - ask your mother!
Chorus
I just, want to feel (x2)
Well how can you say that
I brought you here just for one purpose
There are thousands of girls
I could get, if I just wanted that - yes there are
Chorus
I just, want to love (x2)
Well how does it feel
Now that you are no longer a maiden
What do you mean? You want more?
And you want it right now? - oh my god
Chorus
I just, want to sleep (x2)
"What? Again? It's been three times! Christ allmighty! What do you think I am, an engine? Oh no, but here we go again... Viva Espana.
The song "Take Off Your Clothes" by Judge Dread (Alexander Minto Hughes) presents a disturbing and graphic narrative of a man trying to coerce a woman into undressing and engaging in sexual activity with him. The first verse begins with the man asking the woman to remove her clothing so that he can see what she is "hiding." He tries to reassure her that she has nothing to fear from his eyes. The chorus then follows, with the man claiming that his father is a priest and that he himself is not a beast, but simply wants to love.
The second verse continues with the man persuading the woman to stand naked, while he removes his own clothes to show her that he is being truthful. The second chorus repeats that he only wants to look and love. The third and final verse has the man attempting to convince the woman that sex will not hurt, and that it is the best experience one can have. He attempts to convince her that there are many other women available, but she is the one he desires. The chorus then repeats once more, with the man now saying he just wants to sleep.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a man who uses his position of authority and false reassurances to manipulate a woman into participating in sexual activity with him. The use of religious figures such as a priest and the pope further adds to the disturbing nature of the lyrics. The song showcases blatant misogyny and toxic masculinity, perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes and violence against women.
Line by Line Meaning
Take off your clothes,
I request you to disrobe.
Let me see what it is that your hiding
Allow me to witness what you conceal under your clothing.
And don't look so shocked
Try not to express surprise or anxiety.
You have nothing to fear from my eyes
You require not dread my gaze.
My daddy, is a priest you know
My father is a member of the clergy, you are aware.
And I am, not a beast you now
To reiterate, I am not a savage creature.
I just, want to love (x2)
All I yearn for is ardor (repeat twice).
And stand naked as nature intended
Please stand nude, as nature intended.
And I'll take off mine,
Furthermore, I will also disrobe.
Just to show you that I'm in good faith
To demonstrate I am honest and trustworthy.
Well now you can see,
You now perceive.
It isn't as bad as all that
It is not nearly as disagreeable as anticipated.
So lie on the bed,
Kindly recline on the bed.
And I'll talk of my unhappy childhood
Meanwhile, I will discuss my sorrowful upbringing.
My daddy, is the pope you know
To clarify, my father holds the highest office amongst the Vatican clergy.
And I just, want to grope you know
To confirm, it is my intent to copulate through fondling.
I just want to feel (x2)
I solely want to experience sensation (repeat twice).
It will not hurt
Do not distress, there will be no discomfort.
I promise you that, cross my heart
I make a vow, placed hand on heart.
The first time is always the best
Initially, the experience is unsurpassable.
You can ask anybody - ask your mother!
Inquire with anyone - consider asking your mother!
Well how can you say that
How do you express so?
I brought you here just for one purpose
I summoned you to this place for a singular intention.
There are thousands of girls
There are numerous women.
I could get, if I just wanted that - yes there are
Should I aspire that, plenty exist - certainly quite a few.
Well how does it feel
What are your sensations?
Now that you are no longer a maiden
Now that you are no longer pure.
What do you mean? You want more?
I'm confused - you desire satisfaction?
And you want it right now? - oh my god
And you crave it presently? Dear me.
I just, want to sleep (x2)
I simply wish to slumber (repeat twice).
Contributed by Julia Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.