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.
If It's Money You Need
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it's money you need, baby that is what I got
I've made up my mind to give you anything you need
But if you don't love me baby, please don't say you do
If you don't love me baby, please don't say you do
Cos if you don't really baby, you'd make me sad and blue
Yea don't tell your friends, that you've found a fool in love
Cos if it's money you need, baby that is what I got
The song "I Need You" by Laurel Aitken can be interpreted as a plea for love and attention in a romantic relationship. The repetition of the line "If it's money you need, baby that's what I got" suggests that the singer is willing to provide material possessions in order to win the affection of their partner. However, the singer also emphasizes that they want their partner's genuine love and affection, warning that if their partner doesn't truly love them, it will only make them "sad and blue."
The plea for love becomes more intense as the song goes on. The line "Please don't tell your friends, that you've found a fool in love" suggests that the singer is aware that their desire for love may be seen as foolish or naive by others. Nevertheless, they continue to reassure their partner that they will provide whatever they need, even as they plead for genuine love in return.
Overall, "I Need You" can be seen as a heartfelt plea for love and affection in a relationship, with the singer desperately trying to win their partner's heart with material possessions but ultimately longing for genuine love in return.
Line by Line Meaning
If it's money you need, baby that's what I got
I have money and I am willing to give it to you if that is what you need
I've made up my mind to give you anything you need
I am determined to provide you with anything you require
If you don't love me baby, please don't say you do
If you do not have genuine feelings for me, please do not pretend that you do
Cos if you don't really baby, you'd make me sad and blue
Because if you do not truly love me, it would cause me to feel upset and miserable
Yea don't tell your friends, that you've found a fool in love
Please do not inform your peers that I am foolishly in love with you
Cos if it's money you need, baby that is what I got
Because if you require money, that is what I possess
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lorenzo Nardi
PLEASE WHERE IS THE PLAYLIST "JAMAICA LATE 50'S EARLY 60'S"????
Mr Wolf 22
The playlist that contained this song what happened to it?????