Ken Boothe's (born 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica) is known as "Mr Rocksteady" f… Read Full Bio ↴Ken Boothe's (born 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica) is known as "Mr Rocksteady" for his prominence during the musical period 1966-1974 and was a major idol for the to-be members of UB40. Boothe started by recording a version of Sandie Shaw's "Puppet on a String" in 1967. Later the same year, Boothe and Alton Ellis had a successful U.K. tour with the group The Soul Vendors. Under new direction from record producer Lloyd Chalmers, the song "Everything I Own" surprisingly was Number One in the UK in 1974. The song, written by David Gates, was given a sympathetic light reggae feel and found instant favour in the West Indies and in the U.K.

Boothe seemed, at the time, to have the makings of an international, long-lasting, hit maker, certainly when compared to most of the other latter-day reggae acts. His smoother style gave him a wider appeal, rather like UB40 and Aswad. Boothe's choice of songs also showed the breadth of his musical taste. But for all that, he only managed one more hit in the UK Chart, "Crying over You", which made Number 11.

In more recent times, Boothe has also recorded for Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, King Jammy, Pete Weston, Jack Ruby, Hugh "Red Man" James, Castro Brown, and Tappa Zukie. Plus in 1995, he teamed up with Shaggy, for a new styled version of his old track, "The Train Is Coming", which appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Money Train.

A double-disc overview of Boothe's Trojan years, Crying over You, was released by the label in 2001.

Boothe's official Web site is at www.kenboothemusic.com

Keep My Love from Fading
Ken Boothe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now I know, now that you don't love me no more, no more
You took my love and now you're gone, gone
You took my love and now you're gone

People say that you're not my kind, my kind
But you're always on my mind, my mind
Oh, you are always on my mind

Oh, you know I tried my best to give you happiness
Since the day, since the day we met
But it's so clear, my dear, you're treating me so unfair
Baby, I love you, yes, I love you but you don't care, care

People say that you're not my kind, my kind
But you're always on my mind, my mind
Oh, you are always on my mind

Oh, now I know that you are always on my mind
Now I know that love

Overall Meaning

Ken Boothe's song Keep My Love from Fading is a heartbroken ballad about lost love. The singer admits that though his love has left him, he cannot help but think of them constantly. The song opens with the lines, "Now I know, now that you don't love me no more, no more. You took my love and now you're gone, gone. You took my love and now you're gone." The repetition of the word "gone" in reference to the lost love is especially poignant, as it emphasizes the finality of the situation.

Despite the breakup, the singer still feels a deep connection to their former lover. As he says in the chorus, "People say that you're not my kind, my kind. But you're always on my mind, my mind. Oh, you are always on my mind." He admits that others may not understand their relationship, but he cannot help but think of the person who has left him.

In the second verse, the singer pleads with his ex to consider how hard he has tried to make them happy. He says, "Oh, you know I tried my best to give you happiness since the day, since the day we met. But it's so clear, my dear, you're treating me so unfair. Baby, I love you, yes, I love you but you don't care, care." The lines demonstrate the singer's frustration and the fact that he feels he has put forth effort to keep the relationship alive, despite the fact that the love has faded.

Keep My Love from FadingKen Boothe Lyrics

TerryMarineBMF

Keep My Love from Fading
Ken Boothe Lyrics