Phyllis Dillon (27 December 1944 — 15 April 2004) was a Jamaican ska and re… Read Full Bio ↴Phyllis Dillon (27 December 1944 — 15 April 2004) was a Jamaican ska and reggae singer who recorded for Duke Reid's lucrative Treasure Isle record label in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Dillon was born in 1944 in Linstead, St. Catherine, Jamaica.[1] Influenced by American singers Connie Francis, Patti Page and Dionne Warwick, she began singing in talent contests. It was during a performance at the Glass Bucket Club in Kingston, Jamaica with the group The Vulcans, that Duke Reid's session guitarist Lynn Taitt discovered Dillon.[1]

Dillon was 22 when she recorded her first record for Duke Reid. In 1967, Reid released Dillon's "Don’t Stay Away". While most of Dillon’s subsequent recordings would be covers of popular and obscure American songs including Bettye Swann's "Make Me Yours", Perry Como's "Tulips and Heather," The Grass Roots "Midnight Confessions", and Stephen Stills's "Love the One You're With"; "Don't Stay Away" was an original composition featuring Tommy McCook and the Supersonics as the backing band.

Another original song, "It’s Rocking Time" would later be turned into the Alton Ellis' hit "Rocksteady". While these early recordings demonstrate Dillon's mastery of the rocksteady sound, a much slower, soulful, response to the sultry weather that made ska's upbeat rhythm and tempo undesirable even impracticable, it was no indication of her greatest performance, 1967’s "Perfidia". Popularized by the American surf rock band The Ventures, "Perfidia" is a 1940 song written by Alberto Domínguez and made popular by the Cuban bandleader, Xavier Cugat.

At the end of 1967, Dillon moved to New York.[1] The following five years, she spent living a double life. She had a family and career in the United States, flying frequently back to Kingston, Jamaica to continue recording for Reid.

After a number of singles and an album entitled Living in Love, Dillon ended her recording career in 1971. She was 27 years old.

In 1991, Michael Bonnet, the entertainment director for the Oceanea Hotel in Kingston approached Dillon inviting her to sing. Her refusal at first was later rescinded and sparked a revitalized interest in performing and recording. In the years following, Dillion would tour the UK, Germany and Japan.

In 1998 Phyllis Dillon returned to the recording studio with Lynn Taitt, marked by reinterest in ska music in the United States. She remained active until illness took hold.

Phyllis Dillon died on 15 April 2004 in New York, after a two year battle with cancer, at the age of 59.

Nice Time
Phyllis Dillon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Long time
We nuh have no nice time
Do you, do, do you, yeah
Think about that

Long time
Since we had a nice time
Do you, do, do you, yeah

Think about that

I′m feeling good
How do you feel?
I give you love
And hope you're ready

This little heart in me
Just won′t let me be
I'm going to jump and shout
Won't you come with me?

Long, long, long, long time
Since we had a nice time
Do you, do, do you, yeah
Think about that

I′m feeling good
How do you feel?
I give you love
And hope you′re ready?

This little heart in me
Just won't let me be
I′m going to jump and shout
Won't you comе with me?

Long, long, long, long time
Since we had a nice time

Do you, do, do you, yeah
Think about that

Overall Meaning

In the song "Nice Time" by Phyllis Dillon, the lyrics reflect a longing for a happy and enjoyable time. The singer notes that it has been a long time since she's had a "nice time" and questions the listener if they have had one themselves. The repetition of "do you think about that" emphasizes the desire for a change in the current situation. The singer expresses her own positivity and love, hoping that the listener is also ready to enjoy life. The line "This little heart in me just won't let me be" hints at a deep yearning to have a good time and enjoy life, with the phrase "jump and shout" indicating the release of that emotion.

The repetition of the line "long time since we had a nice time" adds a sense of nostalgia and highlights the need for more positive experiences. The song suggests that happiness can be found through being with others, as the singer invites the listener to come with her while she jumps and shouts. The song has a reggae beat, which adds to the upbeat tone of the lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Long time
It has been a significant amount of time

We nuh have no nice time
We haven't had any enjoyable experiences lately

Do you, do, do you, yeah
Are you aware of this fact?

Think about that
Please consider the implications of this

I'm feeling good
I am in a positive emotional state

How do you feel?
Can you share your emotional state with me?

I give you love
I am expressing my affection towards you

And hope you're ready
I hope you're emotionally prepared for a positive experience

This little heart in me
My inner emotions and desires

Just won't let me be
Are overwhelming me with feelings that need to be expressed

I'm going to jump and shout
I am going to celebrate my joy