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

Suzie Q
Ken Boothe Lyrics

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Suzie Q

Chorus
Oh Suzie Q
Oh Suzie Q
Oh Suzie q baby I love you
Oh Suzie Q

1. I like the way you walk
I like the way you talk
I like the way you walk
I like the way you talk

Chorus
Oh Suzie Q
Chorus Oh Suzie Q
Oh Suzie Q
Oh Suzie Q baby I need you
Oh Suzie Q

2. I like the way you dance
I like the way you romance
I like the way you dance
I like the way you romance
Oh Suzie Q

Solo

3. I like the way you dance
I like the way you romance
I like the way you dance
I like the way you romance
Oh Suzie Q

Chorus
Oh Suzie Q
Chorus Oh Suzie Q
Oh Suzie Q

Oh Suzie Q baby I need you
Oh Suzie Q

Overall Meaning

The song "Suzie Q" by Ken Boothe and Stranger Cole is a love song that expresses the admiration of a man towards a woman named Suzie Q. The first two verses describe how the singer is attracted to Suzie's walk and the way she talks. It's implied that there is a seductive quality to her mannerisms that the singer finds irresistible. The third verse repeats the second, suggesting that the singer is lost in the repetitive thoughts of his obsession with Suzie.

The chorus is a simple and catchy repetition of the title, "Oh Suzie Q," which conveys the strength of the singer's emotions towards her. The song expresses a yearning to have Suzie Q in his life, as he acknowledges needing her. It is a classic love song that uses repetition to put emphasis on the subject of the song.

Overall, the song is like an ode to Suzie Q, with each version of the chorus emphasizing his love for her. The melody is upbeat and energetic, which gives a hopeful and happy feel to the song. The lyrics and music come together harmoniously to underscore the theme of the song: the beauty and attraction of love.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh Suzie Q
The singer is expressing his affection for a person named Suzie.

Oh Suzie Q
The singer repeats expressing his affection for Suzie.

Oh Suzie q baby I love you
The singer directly expresses his love for Suzie.

Oh Suzie Q
The singer repeats expressing his affection for Suzie.

I like the way you walk
The singer admires Suzie's way of walking.

I like the way you talk
The singer admires Suzie's way of talking.

I like the way you walk
The singer reiterates his admiration for Suzie's way of walking.

I like the way you talk
The singer reiterates his admiration for Suzie's way of talking.

Oh Suzie Q
The singer repeats expressing his affection for Suzie.

Chorus Oh Suzie Q
The chorus once again expresses affection for Suzie.

Oh Suzie Q
The singer repeats expressing his affection for Suzie.