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.

Heavenly Angel
Laurel Aitken Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Heavenly angel, oh. Up in heaven above.
Please send me someone to love, someone to love.
Heavenly angel, oh. Up in heaven above.
Please send me someone to love, someone to love.
I need you, yes I need you. I want you by my side, but you're so far away.
I love you, yes I love you. I will get through to you. Please don't make me feel so blue.
Heavenly angel, oh. Up in heaven above.
Please send me someone to love, someone to love.

Overall Meaning

In Laurel Aitken's song "Heavenly Angel," the singer is pleading for an angel in heaven to send him someone to love. Throughout the song, the lyrics express a longing for companionship and affection, as the singer's desired love interest seems to be out of reach. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the desperation and fervent desire of the singer, who needs someone to fill the void and loneliness in their life.

The lyrics "Please send me someone to love" hint at the theme of fate and destiny, as if the singer believes that finding love is something that is meant to be, something that is out of his control. Moreover, the lyrics "Please don't make me feel so blue" further highlight the feelings of sadness and isolation that the singer is experiencing. It is as if he is putting all of his faith and hope into the possibility of finding love, seeking supernatural intervention through his plea to the heavenly angel.

Overall, "Heavenly Angel" is a classic love song filled with profound emotion and an undeniable yearning for romantic love. The lyrics express the singer's need for companionship and his deep desire for a fulfilling relationship, illustrating the universality of love in human experience.

Line by Line Meaning

Heavenly angel, oh. Up in heaven above.
The singer is addressing an angel in heaven, asking for help.

Please send me someone to love, someone to love.
The singer is asking the angel to help them find someone to love.

I need you, yes I need you.
The singer is expressing their strong need for the person they love.

I want you by my side, but you're so far away.
The singer wishes to be with their loved one, but they are separated by distance.

I love you, yes I love you.
The singer is declaring their love for the person they desire.

I will get through to you. Please don't make me feel so blue.
The singer is expressing their determination to reach the person they love, and asking that they do not cause them pain or sadness.

Heavenly angel, oh. Up in heaven above.
The singer reiterates their request for the angel's help.

Please send me someone to love, someone to love.
The song ends with the singer once again asking the angel for assistance in finding love.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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