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.

Don't Be Cruel
Laurel Aitken Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You know I can be found,
Sitting home all alone.
If you can't come around,
At least please telephone...
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.

Baby, if I made you mad
For something I might have said.

Please, let's forget the past,
The future looks bright ahead.
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.

I don't want no other love,
Baby it's just you I'm thinking of.

Don't stop thinking of me,
Don't make me feel this way,
Come on over here and love me,
You know what I want you to say.
Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.

Why should we be apart?
I really love you baby, cross my heart.

Let's walk up to the preacher
And let us say I do,
Then you'll know you'll have me,
And I'll know that I'll have you.
Don't be cruel, to a heart that's true.

I don't want no other love,
Baby it's just you I'm thinking of...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Laurel Aitken's song Don't Be Cruel are about a person who is sitting alone at home, waiting for their lover to come or at least call. The singer of the song pleads with their lover not to be cruel to their heart, which is true-blue and unwavering. The singer expresses regret and asks for forgiveness if they have said or done something that angered their lover. The song is about the unconditional but fragile nature of love.

The singer does not want to be with anyone else but their lover. They want their lover to reciprocate their feelings and not make them feel neglected or ignored. The song ends on a hopeful note where the singer suggests that they get married and start a new life together.

Line by Line Meaning

You know I can be found, Sitting home all alone.
I am lonely and waiting for you.

If you can't come around, At least please telephone... Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
If you can't meet me in person, at least call me. Please don't hurt me if you love me.

Baby, if I made you mad For something I might have said. Please, let's forget the past, The future looks bright ahead. Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
If I did something to hurt you, please forgive me. Let's leave the past behind and move forward. Please don't break my heart.

I don't want no other love, Baby it's just you I'm thinking of.
I don't want to be with anyone else, I am only thinking of you.

Don't stop thinking of me, Don't make me feel this way, Come on over here and love me, You know what I want you to say. Don't be cruel to a heart that's true.
Please don't forget me and don't make me feel this pain. Come be with me and say you love me. Please don't be unkind to someone who loves you.

Why should we be apart? I really love you baby, cross my heart.
There's no reason for us to be separate. I truly love you, I promise.

Let's walk up to the preacher And let us say I do, Then you'll know you'll have me, And I'll know that I'll have you. Don't be cruel, to a heart that's true.
Let's get married so we can be together forever. Please don't be harsh to someone who loves you.

I don't want no other love, Baby it's just you I'm thinking of...
I am only thinking of you, I don't want anyone else.

Writer(s): Otis Blackwell, Elvis Presley

Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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