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.
Cherrie
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
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My ball when i'm with you i'm merry
Sometimes I want to cry when I look into your green eye. I know that your green eye really have got me hypnotised. I fall Im not leaving at all. Night fall, when Im with you I'm merry
And everywhere I go people believe that I have doe.
To know a girl life you have followed me from nights ago
Night fall im not leaving at all. Night fall, when Im with you I'm merry.
In these lyrics, Laurel Aitken expresses a strong attachment and devotion towards someone referred to as "Cherrie." The repeated phrase "My ball" can be understood as a term of endearment, implying that Cherrie holds a significant place in the singer's life. Aitken states that he is not leaving, indicating a sense of commitment and desire to stay in this person's presence.
The line "when I'm with you I'm merry" suggests that being with Cherrie brings joy and happiness to the singer's life. It implies that their presence has the power to uplift his spirits, making him feel content and carefree. This sentiment is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "Night fall, when I'm with you I'm merry," indicating that the nighttime, when they are together, is particularly enjoyable for him.
The lyrics also touch on the singer's emotional vulnerability. Aitken admits, "Sometimes I want to cry when I look into your green eye." This line implies that Cherrie's beauty or gaze has such a profound impact on him that it stirs up strong emotions, possibly overwhelming him. The mention of her "green eye" is significant, as it has a hypnotic effect on him, suggesting that he is deeply mesmerized and captivated by her.
Furthermore, Aitken mentions the belief that he possesses wealth or material abundance. He sings, "And everywhere I go people believe that I have doe." This line implies that people around him perceive him as being affluent or well-off. The use of the word "doe" could be a play on words, as it can mean both money and a female deer, perhaps hinting at the connection to Cherrie.
The lyrics conclude by reiterating the singer's devotion. Aitken suggests that Cherrie has been a constant presence in his life for some time, stating, "To know a girl like you have followed me from nights ago." This line implies a deep connection or bond that has developed over time. The repetition of "Night fall, when I'm with you I'm merry" with the addition of "im not leaving at all" reiterates his commitment to staying by Cherrie's side and his enduring happiness when they are together.
Overall, these lyrics convey a sense of strong attachment, emotional vulnerability, and a profound connection between the singer and the person referred to as Cherrie.
Line by Line Meaning
My ball i'm not leaving at all.
When I'm with you, I feel so happy and content that I have no desire to be anywhere else.
My ball when i'm with you i'm merry
Being in your presence brings me immense joy and happiness.
Sometimes I want to cry when I look into your green eye. I know that your green eye really have got me hypnotised.
Your mesmerizing green eyes have such a strong impact on me that they evoke intense emotions, sometimes even making me want to cry.
I fall Im not leaving at all. Night fall, when Im with you I'm merry
Whenever the night comes and I am with you, I become completely enthralled and filled with joy, making it impossible for me to depart.
And everywhere I go people believe that I have doe.
Wherever I go, people mistakenly believe that I am wealthy and have a lot of money.
To know a girl life you have followed me from nights ago
Having a charming girl like you accompany me and be part of my life feels like a dream come true, as if we have been together for many nights.
Night fall im not leaving at all. Night fall, when Im with you I'm merry.
Once it becomes night and I am in your presence, I have no intentions of leaving as I am filled with happiness and contentment.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind