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.
Mabel
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
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Mabel, mabel
Please come home
Mabel, mabel
Mabel, mabel
Please come home
Love you pretty momma
You know I do
Love you pretty momma
Will you love me too
I said mabel, mabel
Please come home
Love you pretty momma
You know I do
Love you pretty momma
Will you love me too
I said mabel, mabel
Please come home
Please come home
Please come home
Mabel, mabel
The lyrics of Laurel Aitken’s song “Mabel” express a deep longing for someone to come back home. The repeated plea of “Mabel, Mabel, please come home” signifies the emptiness and loneliness one feels when a loved one is not around. The singer expresses his love for his “pretty momma” and asks her to reciprocate his feelings. He wants her to know that he loves her and wants her to return to him. The repetition of the lyrics conveys the hopelessness and desperation of the singer. It is evident that the singer misses his lover and is in need of her presence to fill the void in his life.
The song explores themes of separation, longing, love, and hope. The singer’s emotions are palpable through the repetition of the lyrics and the use of the phrase “love you pretty momma”. The phrase is a term of endearment, and it portrays the singer’s desire for his love to return. The song’s simplicity is its strength, as it conveys the essence of human emotions — the longing for connection, love, and companionship. “Mabel” is a song that speaks to the heart and soul of listeners, reminding them of the importance of having someone special in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Mabel, mabel
The repetition of Mabel's name shows how much the singer wants her to come home.
Mabel, mabel
This line is repeated again to emphasize how much the singer desires Mabel's presence.
Please come home
The singer is pleading with Mabel to return home.
Mabel, mabel
Reiterating Mabel's name indicates the importance of her return.
Mabel, mabel
The singer wants to convey the message of how much he misses Mabel.
Please come home
The singer is desperately hoping for Mabel's return and expressing it through this line.
Love you pretty momma
The singer is expressing his love for Mabel, using terms of endearment.
You know I do
The singer is affirming his love and making sure that Mabel knows it.
Love you pretty momma
The singer is again expressing his love for Mabel because it's very important to him.
Will you love me too
The singer is expressing his hope that Mabel reciprocates his love.
I said mabel, mabel
The singer is trying to grab Mabel's attention through repetition of her name.
Please come home
The singer is repeating this line in hopes that it will convince Mabel to come back.
Please come home
The singer is stressing the importance of Mabel returning with the repetition of this line.
Please come home
The final repetition of this line conveys the desperation and heartache the singer is feeling without Mabel.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind