Born Clifford Smith in Kingston, Jamaica, he was given the nickname Mr. Vegas by his cousin for the neon pink shorts he wore on the football field; in addition to his athletic skills Mr. Vegas also demonstrated musical talents early on. However an unfortunate dispute over the ownership of a DAT resulted in Vegas being hit in the jaw with an iron pipe; after the assault Vegas' mouth was wired shut so he was forced to create a unique method of vocalizing through his teeth. That style was first heard on "Nike Air", the song that initially positioned Vegas on the dancehall charts. Characterized by uplifting lyrics aimed (especially) at young women, he followed "Nike Air" with another affirming and very appealing tune "Heads High" which reached number one in Jamaica, hit the British Top Ten and found its way onto several urban stations across America.
Vegas' 1997 debut album "Heads High" (Greensleeves Records) further displayed his captivating vocal capabilities on songs like "Jacket", "Sweet Pineapple" and "Everywhere I Go"; it also earned him a British Mobo Award as Best Reggae artist, while establishing his fan base beyond the Jamaican dancehall.
However Vegas demonstrated even greater versatility on his 2001 sophomore release "Damn Right" (Greensleeves) which featured a stronger R&B and hip-hop flavor on the hits "Girls Time" and "She's A Ho", sensitive singing on the roots rocking "Rise" and a sensational duet with Sean Paul "Hot Gal Today".
With his move to the Los Angeles based independent label Delicious Vinyl Vegas released his third CD "Pull Up". The title track was recorded on Scatta Burrell's wildly popular Coolie Dance riddim, entered the Billboard charts and took Vegas' music into previously uncharted territory. Another single from "Pull Up" "Tamale" also did well, particularly in Europe.
Vegas has just completed his fourth and finest CD so far "Constant Spring" which presents an amalgam of styles including reggaeton productions by the red hot duo Luny/Tunes on the tracks "Johnny" and "Papito" and Latin tinged duets with Don Omar ("Pobre Diablo") and El Medico ("Penicilin"). Another scorching combination "Burnin" features soca sensation Kevin Lyttle. Vegas' long time associate Jamaica's Richard "Shams" Browne produced several tracks including "Million Dollar Baby" and "Slow Wine" while veteran dancehall hit makers Steely and Clevie's Sleepy Dog riddim scampers under Vegas' current Jamaican chart topper, the CDs title track "Constant Spring". Another Jamaican hit that is currently finding popularity throughout Europe is Vegas' self-produced, uncharacteristically contemplative "More Love", his emotive singing lamenting Jamaica's upwardly spiraling crime rate but the song's lyrics are applicable to many troubled territories throughout the world:
"I walk these Kingston streets, everyday a bare a beat/I can't get no sleep all I hear is AKs when they speak/ I walk Spanish town all I hear is people get gunned down, when I look around all I see is bodies on the ground. My shadow's afraid to even walk beside me, my shadow's afraid to even walk this city gun dawg and his friend full the morgue in Kingston city/too many guns in town."
"Crime, violence, war, it affects everyone," Vegas says, "and there is nothing in that song that doesn't relate to what is going on everywhere, especially Kingston. We want this album to be versatile so a Latino person a hip hop person, urban kids or all nationalities will listen to it."
Reflecting the ongoing changes within the music industry, Vegas and his manager Leslie Cooney of the Los Angeles based company Addict Management will be taking a very different approach regarding the release of "Constant Spring": they will not be signing to just one label. "We have found that as an independent artist Vegas can better exploit his appeal in every territory without the expectations and limitations of being signed to one label," says Ms. Cooney. "Instead, we will directly supply his fans with music worldwide and will seek licenses with different labels in their respective territories. Whether by an actual record or digital distribution, if there is a demand for Vegas it can now be met without waiting for the record label machinery to spring into action. We are taking matters in our own hands and Vegas is planning his own future."
And for Mr. Vegas the future appears to be shining even brighter than the flashing neon lights that abound in the Nevada city that is his namesake. www.mr-vegas.com
Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da
Mr. Vegas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly-girl I like your face
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Desmond takes a trolly to the jewellers stones
Buys a twenty carat golden ring
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
In a couple of years they have built
A home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of desmond and Molly Jones
Happy ever after in the market place
Desmond lets the children lend a hand
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
And in the evening she′s a singer with the band
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Desmond has a barrow in the market place
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly-girl I like your face
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
"Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" by Mr. Vegas is a cover of The Beatles' classic song of the same name. The lyrics tell the story of Desmond and Molly, two lovers who build a life together. Desmond is a market trader who takes a liking to Molly, a singer in a band. He buys her a golden ring and they begin their life together, building a home and raising children.
The repeating refrain "Life goes on" reminds us that no matter what happens, we must move forward and enjoy the present moment. The song celebrates the joys of a simple life, love, and family. The catchy melody and upbeat tempo make "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" a cheerful and fun song to sing and dance along to.
Line by Line Meaning
Desmond has a barrow in the market place
Desmond owns a pushcart in the marketplace
Molly is the singer in a band
Molly is a lead singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly-girl I like your face
Desmond compliments Molly on her appearance
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand
Molly reciprocates Desmond's affection by holding his hand
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Life goes on no matter what happens
Lala how the life goes on
Life goes on with its ups and downs
Desmond takes a trolly to the jewellers stones
Desmond goes to the jeweler's shop with a cart
Buys a twenty carat golden ring
Desmond purchases a 20-carat gold ring
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
Desmond returns home and gives the ring to Molly
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing
Molly is filled with joy and bursts into song upon receiving the ring
In a couple of years they have built
Within a few years, they built
A home sweet home
A house they love
With a couple of kids running in the yard
They have a few children who play in the yard
Of desmond and Molly Jones
The Joneses, Desmond and Molly, are the family who reside in the house
Happy ever after in the market place
A happily ever after life spent where they started, the marketplace
Desmond lets the children lend a hand
Desmond allows his children to help him in the marketplace
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face
Molly spends time at home doing beauty treatments
And in the evening she′s a singer with the band
In the evenings, Molly continues to sing with her band
Writer(s): John Lennon, Paul Mccartney
Contributed by Harper S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.