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.

Jeannie Is Back
Laurel Aitken Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh oh Jeannie

Oh oh baby
No more will you roam
Since you been gone
Things been bad at home
Oh oh baby
Who'd you sleep last night

Oh oh baby

Now that you're back
I'm gonna treat you right

Yeah Yeah Jeannie

Oh oh baby
People still agree
Just do what I say
Things will be okay
Things will be okay

Things will be okay
Things will be okay

Overall Meaning

In the song Jeannie is Back, Laurel Aitken sings about a woman named Jeannie who has returned home after being gone for some time. The song is primarily focused on the relief that her return has brought to the home, as things had been bad when she was away. The lyrics are filled with references to the singer's excitement about her return and how much he missed her.

The song opens with "Oh oh Jeannie, Oh oh baby," which is a clear indication of the singer's excitement about her return. He goes on to say that "no more will you roam" and that he is happy she is back, implying that her leaving was a problem for him. He also makes a reference to her possibly having slept with someone while she was gone by asking "who'd you sleep last night?" but quickly moves on to express his desire to "treat her right" now that she is back.

The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's joy that Jeannie has returned, repeatedly exclaiming "Yeah Yeah Jeannie" and assuring her that "things will be okay" now that she's home. Overall, the song is a celebration of Jeannie's return and the happiness it brings to the singer and those around him.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh oh Jeannie
Expressing excitement on the return of Jeannie

Oh oh baby
Affectionately addressing Jeannie as a baby

No more will you roam
Jeannie will not wander anymore

Since you been gone
The time Jeannie has been away

Things been bad at home
The situation at home has been undesirable in the absence of Jeannie

Who'd you sleep last night
Inquisitively asking Jeannie about last night

Now that you're back
Now that Jeannie is back

I'm gonna treat you right
I will treat Jeannie well

Yeah Yeah Jeannie
Addressing Jeannie with enthusiasm and affirmation

Oh oh baby
Reiterating the affectionate address to Jeannie

People still agree
Assuring Jeannie that people still consent with him