Lorenzo Aitken (22 April 1927 – 17 July 2005), better known by the stage na… Read Full Bio ↴Lorenzo Aitken (22 April 1927 – 17 July 2005), better known by the stage name Laurel Aitken, was an influential Caribbean singer and one of the pioneers of Jamaican ska music. He is often referred to as the "Godfather of Ska".

Born in Cuba of mixed Cuban and Jamaican descent, Aitken and his family settled in Jamaica in 1938. After an early career working for the Jamaican Tourist Board singing mento songs for visitors arriving at Kingston Harbour, he became a popular nightclub entertainer. His first recordings in the late 1950s were mento tunes such as "Nebuchnezer", "Sweet Chariot" (aka the gospel classic "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot") and "Baba Kill Me Goat". Aitken's 1958 single "Boogie in My Bones"/"Little Sheila" was one of the first records produced by Chris Blackwell and the first Jamaican popular music record to be released in the United Kingdom. Other more Jamaican rhythm and blues orientated singles from this period include "Low Down Dirty Girl" and "More Whisky" both produced by Duke Reid.

Aitken moved to Brixton, London, in 1960 and recorded for the Blue Beat label, releasing fifteen singles before returning to Jamaica in 1963. He recorded for Duke Reid, with backing from the Skatalites on tracks such as "Zion" and "Weary Wanderer", before returning to the UK, where he began working with Pama Records. He recorded hits such as "Fire in Mi Wire" and "Landlord and Tenants", which led to a wider recognition outside of Jamaica and the UK. This cemented his position as one of ska's leading artists and earned him the nicknames The Godfather of Ska, and later Boss Skinhead. He gained a loyal following not only among the West Indian community, but also among mods, skinheads and other ska fans. He had hit records in the United Kingdom and other countries in the 1950s through to the 1970s on labels such as Blue Beat, Pama, Trojan, Rio, Dr. Bird, Nu-Beat, Ska-Beat,Hot Lead and Dice. Some of his singles featured B-sides credited to his brother, guitarist Bobby Aitken. Aitken also recorded a few talk-over/deejay tracks under the guise of 'King Horror', such as "Loch Ness Monster", "Dracula, Prince of Darkness", and "The Hole". Aitken settled in Leicester with his wife in 1970. His output slowed in the 1970s and during this period he worked as an entertainer in nightclubs and restaurants in the area including the popular 'Costa Brava Restaurant' in Leicester under his real name Lorenzo. In 1980, with ska enjoying a resurgence in the wake of the 2 Tone movement, Aitken had his only success in the UK Singles Chart with "Rudi Got Married" (#60) released on I-Spy Records (the label created and managed by Secret Affair. Aitken's career took in mento/calypso, R&B, ska, rock steady, and reggae, and in the 1990s he even turned his talents to dancehall. He performed occasional concerts almost until his death from a heart attack in 2005. After a long campaign, a blue plaque in his honour was put up at his Leicester home in 2007. Punk band Rancid cover's Aitken's Everybody Suffering on their 2014 LP Honor Is All We Know

Laurel Aitken (April 22, 1927 - July 17, 2005) became famous as one of the originators of Jamaican ska music in the late 1950s.

Aitken was born as Lorenzo Aitken in Cuba, and is the brother of singer Bobby Aitken. He moved to England in the 1960s, and had a loyal following among Skinheads and other ska fans. He had massive hits in the 1950s through 1970s, while recording for Blue Beat Records, Pama Records and Trojan Records. He recorded one of the earliest ska records, the double A-sided Boogie in My Bones / Little Sheila (1958). It was the first record on producer Chris Blackwell's Island Records label.

Aitken, who is known as "The Godfather of Ska", made his home in Leicester UK and performed live almost until his death. He suffered from a serious illness following a heart attack about a year before he died. He died from a heart attack in Leicester, UK on July 17, 2005.

Boogie Rock
Laurel Aitken Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You last night, ya on the night before,
No you turn it over want to do the Rock n Roll
Teach me to rock, teach me to rock,
You better teach me to rock, I just can't move my feet.
You left me in the dance like a reefa gone flown
All the teenagers they rockin on the floor
Teach me to rock, teach me to rock,
You better teach me to rock, I just can't move my feet.

You boogie last night, you bomp the night before
Now you turn it over want to do the rock n roll
Teach me to rock, teach me to rock,
You better teach me to rock, I just can't move my feet.
You left me in the dance like a reefa gone flown
All the teenagers they rockin on the floor

Teach me to rock, teach me to rock,
You better teach me to rock, I just can't move my feet.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Laurel Aitken's song "Boogie Rock" are a plea from the singer to his partner or teacher to teach him how to dance to the new rock n' roll style. He describes how he has been left behind at the dance, unable to move his feet, while all the teenagers around him are "rockin on the floor". Aitken uses the term "boogie" to describe the dance style that he is trying to learn, which was a popular term for a dance style that originated in the 1930s that combined swing and blues moves. The urgency in his voice and the repetition of his request to be taught to rock suggests that he wants to be seen as hip and able to keep up with the new trend.

The lyrics of "Boogie Rock" speak to the cultural moment in which it was written. The song was released in 1953, a time when rock and roll was just emerging and becoming popular among young people in the United States and the UK. The song reflects the excitement and the sense of rebellion that was associated with this new style of music and dance. The use of the term "teenagers" to describe the young people dancing suggests that this was a new and distinct demographic in society, with their own tastes, styles, and interests.

Overall, the song can be seen as a plea for inclusion and acceptance in this new culture that was emerging. The singer wants to be part of the rock and roll community but needs help getting there. The song can also be seen as a comment on the generational divide between young people and adults at the time.

Boogie RockLaurel Aitken Lyrics

Maribel MN

Matheus Trindade

Boogie Rock
Laurel Aitken Lyrics