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.

Love Me Baby
Laurel Aitken Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I love you baby and I need no one but you.
I love you baby and I hope you love me too.
Come on baby, baby say you do
Love me baby I love you.
I love you baby and I want you to know
Never never never letting you go.
Believe me baby, don't say no
And love me baby I love you

I don't know why i love you so
I just know i do
Don't know why the love of mine must be oh so true
Hug me baby, baby hug me tight
Squeeze me baby baby squeeze me right
Only baby I've got in my life love me baby and i love you.
I dont know why I love you so
But i know i do. Don't know why the love of mine must be oh so true
Hug me baby, baby hug me tight
Squeeze me baby baby squeeze me right

Only baby I've got in my life love me baby and i love you.
I baby, Oh baby, Oh baby, I Baby

Overall Meaning

The song "Baby Baby" by Laurel Aitken is a love song that expresses the singer's deep and sincere feelings for his significant other. The lyrics suggest that the singer loves and needs no one else but his beloved. He hopes his love interest reciprocates his feelings and urges them to express their love for him too. He wants to be assured that his love interest will not leave him and be with him forever. The singer acknowledges that he doesn't understand why he loves his partner so intensely, but his love for them is undoubtedly true. He asks his partner to hold him and squeeze him tight, as they are the only one he has ever loved.

The song is a simple but powerful expression of love. It highlights the intense emotions that can be felt in a romantic relationship. The use of repetition throughout the song emphasizes the singer's genuine love and desire for his partner. The lyrics create a mood of affection and warmth, making it a perfect song for a slow dance or a quiet moment with a loved one.

Line by Line Meaning

I love you baby and I need no one but you.
I have deep affection for you and I don't require anyone else.

I love you baby and I hope you love me too.
I feel love toward you and I desire reciprocation.

Come on baby, baby say you do
Please tell me that you love me back, darling.

Love me baby I love you.
I have a strong feeling of love towards you and I desire the same in return.

I love you baby and I want you to know
I want to express my love for you so you're aware of it.

Never never never letting you go.
I intend to hold onto you tightly and not let you slip away.

Believe me baby, don't say no
Have faith in me, my darling, and don't reject my love.

And love me baby I love you
Please reciprocate my affection, dear, because I care deeply for you.

I don't know why i love you so
I cannot explain the depth of feeling I have for you.

I just know i do
All I know is that my love for you is real and significant.

Don't know why the love of mine must be oh so true
I am not sure why my affection towards you is wholehearted and genuine.

Hug me baby, baby hug me tight
Hold me in your arms, dear, and embrace me tightly.

Squeeze me baby baby squeeze me right
Please squeeze me in your embrace just right, my darling.

Only baby I've got in my life love me baby and i love you.
You're the only one in my life, my dear, please love me in return because I deeply love you.

I baby, Oh baby, Oh baby, I Baby
I think about you constantly, dear, you're always on my mind.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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