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.
Brother David
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Show the enemies what only god can do
I will fight with all my might
Fight fight and do the right
Brother david, I wanna be like you
Well it's forty days and forty nights
I'm alone in the wilderness
I'll be waiting for my saviour all alone
Brother david, I want to be like you
Show the enemies what only god can do
I will fight with all my might
Fight fight and do the right
Brother david, I wanna be like you
Well it's forty days and forty nights
I'm alone in the wilderness
Oh oh
I'll be waiting for my saviour all alone
Oh oh
Oh oh
The song "Brother David" by Laurel Aitken is a tribute to Brother David, who is apparently a religious leader with a strong conviction for fighting against the enemies of God. The opening lines of the song express the singer's desire to be like Brother David and to fight the enemies of God with all their might. The rest of the song takes on a more spiritual tone, with the singer describing a period of isolation and waiting for their Savior in the wilderness.
The song's lyrics are relatively simple but express a powerful message. The recurring theme of fighting for what is right appears throughout the song, showing the singer's deep conviction in their faith and the determination to live a life that reflects their beliefs. The song captures the feeling of struggle and perseverance that is often associated with faith, and the idea that with enough conviction and determination, anyone can be like Brother David and fight for what is right.
Overall, the song "Brother David" is an uplifting and inspiring tribute to the power of faith and the ability of individuals to make a difference in the world. It is a powerful reminder that with enough conviction and determination, anyone can fight for what they believe in and make a positive impact in the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother david, I want to be like you
I aspire to emulate your faith and strength
Show the enemies what only god can do
Demonstrate the power of God to our adversaries
I will fight with all my might
I will give my full effort in battling for righteousness
Fight fight and do the right
Strive for justice through conflict
Brother david, I wanna be like you
Reaffirming the desire to be like David
Well it's forty days and forty nights
The arduous ordeal lasts 40 days and 40 nights
I'm alone in the wilderness
I am completely isolated in the wilderness
I'll be waiting for my saviour all alone
I am anticipating the arrival of my savior, although I am isolated
Oh oh
Repeating sound effect
Oh oh
Repeating sound effect
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ziggystardust48
One of the Greatest Impassioned 1960s Song Ever Written. Also, the BEST VERSION, too. Go Brother Laurel Aitken! Go! Fight For Your Right!
runningwithshemp
Ditto, I'm glad someone else thinks this. So spirited and impassioned as you say.
Notts boy24
#37th like 🙌 my great uncles from Jamaica always play this tune when i was kid 👌 big up old time tunes from Jamaica ☺
Margery Bartley
My mom always have every Friday night month end and this song would rock the party God bless you Laurel Atkins for such a song and the powerful rhythm Google you are the best tofind my songs. Margery.
alphonso ROLANDO
EXCELLENT !!!!
Axel Natural
A BIG BAD MAN STYLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Notts boy24
Yeah man ☺
Sey Ley2
Still looking for the similar track with the lyrics "Zacchaeus come off that sycamore tree"... May have been by Laurel Aitken ???
DON HUE
@Sey Ley2 lord tanamo/mary ann
DON HUE
@Sey Ley2 thanks for that,i only have it on tape,and i see its on lp from cherry red records,,, thanks again