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.
Tell Me Darling
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me if you lo-ove me
Then I'll know
Tell me tell me darling
Tell me if you lo-ove me
Then I'll know
Never, never, never
Let you go
Stars may fade
Wells run dry
My love for you
Will never, never die
Tell me tell me darling
Tell me if you lo-ove me
Then I'll know
Stars may fade
Wells run dry
My love for you
Will never, never die
Tell me tell me darling
Tell me that you lo-ove me
Then I'll know
The song "Darling" by Laurel Aitken is a simple but passionate love ballad. The lyrics express the need for reassurance of love from the singer's beloved. The repetition of the phrase "Tell me if you lo-ove me, Then I'll know" emphasizes the importance of the answer to the question. The singer seems to be desperately in love and holding on to the hope that their love interest feels the same way.
The lines "Hug me and please me then I'll never, never, never let you go" highlight the depth of the singer's attachment to their lover. The strong commitment to not letting go even in the face of hardships is depicted in the lines "Stars may fade, Wells run dry, My love for you Will never, never die." The use of nature imagery adds a poetic quality to the song, as if indicating that the singer's love will endure as long as nature exists.
Overall, the song "Darling" is a pure expression of the feelings of love and the need for reassurance that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold me, squeeze me darling
Embrace me lovingly and affectionately
Tell me if you lo-ove me
Express your love and commitment to me clearly
Then I'll know
By hearing your declaration of love, I will understand our connection better
Tell me tell me darling
Repeat your expression of love so that it's clear and prominent
Hug me and please me then I'll
Hold me close and tend to my physical and emotional needs
Never, never, never
I will absolutely not
Let you go
Allow you to leave my life or heart
Stars may fade
Even if the celestial bodies above us lose their brilliance
Wells run dry
Even if the water resources that sustain us dry up
My love for you
The passion and attachment I have towards you
Will never, never die
Will remain steadfast and enduring indefinitely
Tell me tell me darling
Again, implore me to express my love for you
Tell me that you lo-ove me
State unequivocally that you love me
Then I'll know
By hearing the words 'I love you,' I will feel secure and sure about our relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAUREL AITKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind