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.
Coconut Woman
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And everyday you can hear her shout
Coconut woman is calling out
And everyday you can hear her shout
Get your coconut water, four for five
Man it's good for your daughter, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five
A lady tell me the other day
No one can take her sweet man away
I ask her what was the mystery
She say coconut water and rice curry
You can cook it in a pot, four for five
You can serve it very hot, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five
Coconut woman says you'll agree
Coconut make very nice candy
The thing that's best if you're feelin' glum
Is coconut water with a little rum
It could make you very tipsy, four for five
Make you feel like a gypsy, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five
Coconut
Woman is a fun and catchy song by Jamaican singer Laurel Aitken. The song is about a woman who sells coconut water and other coconut products on the street. She is constantly calling out and shouting to get people's attention. The lyrics suggest that coconut water is good for you and can make you strong like a lion.
The song also touches on the idea that coconut products have some mystic qualities. A lady in the song claims that coconut water and rice curry can keep her man from leaving. Coconut woman also says that coconut makes very nice candy and that mixing coconut water with rum can make you feel like a gypsy.
Overall, Coconut Woman is a happy and upbeat song with a tropical vibe. It celebrates one of the many treasures of the Caribbean, the coconut. The lyrics are simple but effective, and the melody is infectious.
Line by Line Meaning
Coconut woman is calling out
A woman selling coconut products is loudly proclaiming her wares
And everyday you can hear her shout
She is persistent in her efforts to sell her coconut products, calling out every day
Get your coconut water, four for five
Offering four bottles of coconut water for five dollars
Man it's good for your daughter, four for five
Promoting the health benefits of coconut water, particularly for women and their daughters
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Emphasizing the high iron content of coconut products as a selling point
Make you strong like a lion, four for five
Stating that consuming coconut products will make you strong
A lady tell me the other day
The singer recalls a conversation with a woman
No one can take her sweet man away
The woman claims that consuming coconut water and rice curry can keep her partner faithful
I ask her what was the mystery
The artist is curious to know more about this supposed power of coconut water and rice curry
She say coconut water and rice curry
The woman believes that combining these foods has the desired effect
You can cook it in a pot, four for five
Selling coconut rice curry as a convenient and affordable meal option
You can serve it very hot, four for five
Emphasizing the versatility of coconut rice curry as a hot meal option
Coconut woman says you'll agree
Returning to the coconut woman's sales pitch
Coconut make very nice candy
Highlighting another use for coconuts as a candy ingredient
The thing that's best if you're feelin' glum
Coconut products can improve one's mood
Is coconut water with a little rum
Suggesting that mixing coconut water with alcohol can have a positive effect
It could make you very tipsy, four for five
Selling coconut water as a mixer for alcoholic drinks
Make you feel like a gypsy, four for five
Suggesting that drinking coconut water and rum can make you feel carefree and adventurous
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Recalling the health benefits of coconut products such as their high iron content
Make you strong like a lion, four for five
Reiterating the selling point that consuming coconut products will make you strong
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesus is my God
SKIN 'ED!!!!!!!!!!
johnny b
@Jesus is my God
SKEEEEEN'EAD!!!!!!!!!!