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

Show & Tell
Ken Boothe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

These are the eyes that never knew how to smile
Till you came into my life

And these are the arms that long to lock you inside
Every day and every night

Girl, and here is the soul of which you've taken control
Can't you see I'm trying to show love is right

Oh, show and tell
Just a game I play, when I want to say
I love you
Girl, so show me, and tell me
That you feel the same way too
Say you do, baby

These are the hands that can't help reaching for you
If you're anywhere inside (anywhere inside)

And these are the lips that can't help calling your name
In the middle of the night (middle of the night)

Oh, and here is the man that needs to know where you stand
Don't you know I've done all I can, so decide

Oh, show and tell
It's just a game I play, when I want to say
I love you
Girl, so show me, and tell me
That you feel the same way too
Say you do, say you do
Baby, baby, baby

Here is the soul of which you've taken control
Can't you see I'm trying to show love is right

Ooh, girl
Show and tell
Just a game I play, when I want to say
Oh, I love you
Girl, so show me, and tell me
That you feel the same way too
Say you do, say you do, baby

Oh, show and tell
Just a game I play, when I want to say
Oh, I love you

Girl, so show me, and tell me
That you feel the same way too

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ken Boothe's "Show And Tell" are a heartfelt expression of a man's love for his significant other. The song begins with Boothe admitting that he never knew how to smile before his partner entered his life. He further states that his arms long to hold her every day and night. He believes that she has taken control of his soul and wants to convince her that his love is genuine.

In the chorus, Boothe explains that "Show And Tell" is just a game he plays when he wants to express his love for his partner. He wants her to reciprocate his love and tell him that she feels the same way too. He mentions that his hands reach out for her, and his lips call out her name in the middle of the night. He then asks her to decide where she stands in their relationship and admits that he has done all that he can.

The lyrics of "Show And Tell" are simple yet powerful. Boothe's words showcase his vulnerability and his desire to be loved and accepted. The song is a soulful plea for emotional connection and proves that sometimes, the simplest expressions of love can be the most effective.

Line by Line Meaning

These are the eyes that never knew how to smile Till you came into my life
My happiness and joy began when you entered my life

And these are the arms that long to lock you inside Every day and every night
I want to hold you close and keep you with me always

Girl, and here is the soul of which you've taken control Can't you see I'm trying to show love is right
My heart belongs to you and I hope you can see that I'm trying to prove my love to you

Oh, show and tell Just a game I play, when I want to say I love you
Showing and telling you how much I love you is like a game I play, but it's the only way I know how to express my feelings

Girl, so show me, and tell me That you feel the same way too Say you do, baby
I need to hear from you that you feel the same way and that you love me too

These are the hands that can't help reaching for you If you're anywhere inside (anywhere inside)
My hands are always searching for you and I can't resist the urge to touch you

And these are the lips that can't help calling your name In the middle of the night (middle of the night)
My lips ache to call out your name, especially in the middle of the night when I miss you the most

Oh, and here is the man that needs to know where you stand Don't you know I've done all I can, so decide
I need to know if you're truly in love with me and I've already done everything I can to prove my love, so it's time for you to decide

Say you do, say you do Baby, baby, baby
Please tell me that you love me too, my sweet baby

Ooh, girl Show and tell Just a game I play, when I want to say Oh, I love you
My love for you is so strong that I have to play this show and tell game just to express it to you

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY FULLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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