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.
Jesse James
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
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Jesse James
Jesse James rides again
Jesse James rides again
J-A-M-E-S, James
Jesse James
Jesse James rides again
Don't call me Billy the Kid
Call me James
Jesse James
(.)
J-A-M-E-S, James
Jesse James
Jesse James
Jesse James
Jesse James
Jesse James rides again
J-A-M-E-S, James
Jesse James
The lyrics to Laurel Aitken's song Jesse James are fairly simple and straightforward, primarily consisting of the repetition of Jesse James' name and the spelling out of his last name, "J-A-M-E-S, James." However, the significance of the legendary outlaw Jesse James in American folklore adds depth to these otherwise repetitive lyrics.
Jesse James was a notorious outlaw during the late 1800s, known for robbing banks, trains, and stagecoaches across the American Midwest. He became a folk hero to some, particularly in the South, where he was seen as a resistance fighter against Northern oppression. His exploits and eventual death at the hands of a member of his own gang have been the subject of numerous songs, books, and films.
Line by Line Meaning
J-A-M-E-S, James
Spelling out the name of Jesse James with emphasis on each letter.
Jesse James rides again
Jesse James, the infamous outlaw, is back and up to his old tricks.
Don't call me Billy the Kid
I don't want to be associated with a different outlaw, call me by my real name.
Call me James
My name is James, not Jesse, but I am also Jesse James.
(.)
This line is likely a musical interlude and does not contain significant meaning.
Jesse James
Repeating the name of the famous outlaw.
Jesse James rides again
The infamous outlaw is up to his old tricks once more.
J-A-M-E-S, James
Repeating the spelling of the name Jesse James with emphasis on each letter again.
Jesse James
Repeating the name of the infamous outlaw once more.
Writer(s): Laurel Aitken
Contributed by Arianna J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
paka90
Danced a few times to this when I was a skin.
Human Being
Rude Bwoy Music
mikael garletti
Rise again)