A popular roots singer who gained fame in the late 1970s into the early 198… Read Full Bio ↴A popular roots singer who gained fame in the late 1970s into the early 1980s, Delgado scored big with the number one single Merry Go Round, recorded on Sly and Robbie's Taxi label.

"Junior was a good artiste. We produced two songs for him, Merry Go Round and Fort Augustus. He was a talented songwriter and a very cool person. I actually spoke to him three weeks ago when he called from London," producer and musician Sly Dunbar recalled.

Born Oscar Hibbert August 25, 1958, in Kingston, Delgado began singing in his teens as Junior Hibbert, with the vocal group Time Unlimited. In 1975, Delgado decided to pursue a solo career and opted to change his name to Junior Delgado. Delgado was his long-time nickname, taken from the Spanish word for skinny.

His debut album, Taste of the Young Heart was released in 1978. The following year, the singer started his own label, Incredible Jux, on which he released his follow-up album Effort. Among the producers whom he recorded for were Prince Jammy, Joe Gibbs, Augustus Pablo and Earl 'Çhinna' Smith.

Throughout the early 1990s Delgado spent most of his time between recording and touring Britain where he had a strong fan base. The More She Love It and Disco Style Showcase albums were both released in 1981 and saw Junior experimenting with the new dancehall style.

However, Delgado had not entirely deserted his roots style.
After a forced hiatus, during which time Delgado spent 18 months in prison; in 1985 he recorded Broadwater Farm in London, a fiery single inspired by the crime-ridden and poverty-stricken north London housing estate of the same name. Coincidentally enough, soon after the album's release, the estate itself made headlines in England upon suffering the most violent and vicious rioting England had ever experienced in then recent times.

Following the death of long-time friend Dennis Brown, Delgado recorded his own personal tribute to the singer, simply titled Junior Delgado Sings Dennis Brown. During this time, the singer continued performing live to appreciative crowds on both sides of the Atlantic. Delgado spent over 25 years in the business, yet his music still connects with the generation of today.

He died at his home in London during April 2005.

Big Shot
Junior Delgado Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Don′t speak, no, don't try
It′s been a secret for the longest time
Don't run (oh), no, don't hide
Been running from it for the longest time

So many mornings I woke up confused
In my dreams, I do anything I want to you
My emotions are naked, they′re taking me out of my mind

Right now I′m shameless
Screamin' my lungs out for ya
Not afraid to face it
I need you more than I want to
Need you more than I want to
Show me you′re shameless
Write it on my neck, why don't ya?
And I won′t erase it
I need you more than I want to
Need you more than I want to

Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now
Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don′t wanna do this now
Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now
Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now

So we′re there
Now it′s real
Now that you have me, do you want me still?
My kisses are history, they go back a long time
And I'm tired of loving somebody that′s not mine

So many mornings I woke up confused
In my dreams, I do anything I want to you
My emotions are naked, they're taking me out of my mind (mind)

Right now I′m shameless
Screamin' my lungs out for ya
Not afraid to face it
I need you more than I want to
Need you more than I want to
Show me you′re shameless
Write it on my neck, why don't ya?
And I won't erase it
I need you more than I want to
Need you more than I want to

Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don′t wanna do this now
Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don′t wanna do this now
Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now
Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don′t wanna do this now

There's just inches in between us
I want you to give in, I want you to give in
There is tension in between us
I just wanna give in
And I don′t care if I'm forgiven

Right now I′m shameless
Screamin' my lungs out for ya
Not afraid to face it
I need you more than I want to
Need you more than I want to
Show me you're shameless
Write it on my neck, why don′t ya?
And I won′t erase it
I need you more than I want to
I need you more than I want to

Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now
Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don′t wanna do this now

Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now
Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don′t wanna do this now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Junior Delgado's song Big Shot depict someone who has been keeping their feelings for another person a secret for a long time. Despite their fear, they are opening up and expressing their desire and need for the other person. They admit to waking up confused and dreaming of being with the person for a long time. They are tired of loving someone who is not theirs and wants to know if the other person still wants them now that they are there. There is tension between them, and despite their shamelessness, the fear of rejection lingers.

The lyrics are relatable to anyone who has had unrequited love, and the fear of expressing their emotions. It also touches on the vulnerability one feels when they express their longing for another person. The repetition of "nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't want to do this now" shows the internal conflict the singer is going through, questioning whether or not they should reveal their feelings.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't speak, no, don't try
I do not want to discuss or argue about it

It's been a secret for the longest time
I have kept this feeling hidden for a very long time

Don't run (oh), no, don't hide
I should not avoid or escape from my thoughts and feelings

Been running from it for the longest time
I have been avoiding my emotions for a very long time

So many mornings I woke up confused
I have been feeling uncertain and bewildered upon waking up on many occasions

In my dreams, I do anything I want to you
In my fantasies, I have complete control over my desires

My emotions are naked, they′re taking me out of my mind
I am feeling very vulnerable and exposed, to the point where it is overwhelming

Right now I′m shameless
Currently, I am unapologetic about how I feel

Screamin' my lungs out for ya
I am expressing my feelings with great intensity and volume towards you

Not afraid to face it
I am willing to confront my emotions and desires

I need you more than I want to
I have a strong desire for you that I cannot deny, despite trying to avoid it

Show me you′re shameless
Demonstrate that you are also unafraid to express your feelings

Write it on my neck, why don't ya?
Make it visible and clear to everyone that you desire me

And I won′t erase it
I am committed to holding onto these emotions, even though they make me vulnerable

Nuh-uh, uh-uh, don't wanna do this now
I am hesitant and unsure about acting on my desires and feelings at this moment

Now it′s real
Our relationship has progressed to a point that it is truly happening

Now that you have me, do you want me still?
Now that I am vulnerable and exposed, will you still desire me?

My kisses are history, they go back a long time
My past expressions of love and affection are long gone and no longer relevant

And I'm tired of loving somebody that's not mine
I am exhausted by loving someone who does not reciprocate my feelings

There's just inches in between us
We are so close to each other physically

I want you to give in, I want you to give in
I desire for you to succumb to your feelings for me

There is tension in between us
There is an unspoken but palpable feeling between us

I just wanna give in
I want to let go and act on my feelings

And I don't care if I'm forgiven
I am willing to take a risk and act on my feelings, even if it may not be forgiven

Writer(s): Jordan Johnson, Ali Tamposi, Stefan Johnson, Camila Cabello, Andrew Wotman, Jonathan David Bellion

Contributed by Thomas E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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