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.
Honey Girl
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want you to know how I love you
I want you to know how I need you
I want you to know I adore you
You'll be, my sugar candy
I will make, you fine and dandy
Cos you are, so nice and handy
Baby, baby, baby
No one to do but you
You're my lovey dovey
No one for me but you
Well baby, you are my one desire
You set my soul on fire
That's why I can't retire
Baby, baby, baby
No one to do but you
You're my lovey dovey
No one for me but you
Well baby, you are my one desire
You set my soul on fire
That's why I can't retire
My only girl, my only girl
My only girl, my only girl
The song "Honey Girl" by Laurel Aitken is a classic love song that expresses deep affection and appreciation for a significant other. The lyrics are simple and straightforward, with the singer expressing his love and need for the honey girl. The first verse opens with the declaration of love, emphasizing the importance of the honey girl in the singer's life. He then goes on to say how much he adores her. The chorus reinforces this idea, with the singer calling the honey girl his "sugar candy" and promising to make her "fine and dandy," highlighting her importance and value to him.
The second verse is a continuation of the first, with the singer again declaring his deep love for the honey girl. He describes her as his "one desire" and expresses how she sets his soul on fire. This verse again emphasizes the singer's need for the honey girl, culminating in the repetition of the chorus. The song as a whole is a celebration of love and the idea that a significant other can bring joy and happiness into one's life. Its catchy melody and simple lyrics make it the perfect sing-along tune for a romantic evening with a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
Honey girl
Affectionate term for the subject of the song
I want you to know how I love you
Expressing strong romantic feelings towards the honey girl
I want you to know how I need you
Stating a deep emotional dependency on the honey girl
I want you to know I adore you
Expressing admiration and fondness for the honey girl
You'll be, my sugar candy
Comparing the honey girl to a sweet treat
I will make, you fine and dandy
Promising to take care of the honey girl and make her look good
Cos you are, so nice and handy
Complimenting the honey girl for her helpfulness and usefulness
To me, my honey girl
Reaffirming the affectionate term for the song's subject
Baby, baby, baby
Affectionate term used to address the honey girl
No one to do but you
Expressing exclusivity and a lack of interest in others
You're my lovey dovey
Pet name for the honey girl indicating affection
No one for me but you
Reaffirming the exclusivity and lack of interest in others
Well baby, you are my one desire
Stating that the honey girl is the subject's only romantic interest
You set my soul on fire
Indicating strong emotional feelings towards the honey girl
That's why I can't retire
Expressing a desire to continue the relationship indefinitely
My only girl, my only girl
Reaffirming exclusivity and affection for the honey girl
My only girl, my only girl
Repeating the previous line for emphasis
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind