Shabba Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon on 17 January 1966, in S… Read Full Bio ↴Shabba Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon on 17 January 1966, in Sturgetown, St Ann's, Jamaica) is known as one of the most popular dancehall artists ever. Ranks gained his fame mainly by practicing dee jaying rather than singing tunes similarly to his contemporaries.

Starting out on the King Jammys Superpower sound system in Jamaica, Shabba quickly emerged on the Jamaican and international stages in the late 1980's with a number of fellow artists. These include the British vocalist Maxi Priest; reggae singers Cocoa Tea, Crystal, and Mykal Rose and R&B singer Johnny Gill; in addition to working with luminaries Chuck Berry and American rappers KRS-One and Chubb Rock. His biggest hit non-Jamaican hit was "Mr. Loverman", although in Jamaica and for many reggae lovers, this was not his best work. Other, more appreciated tracks by reggae enthusiasts, include "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailor Load A Girls", "Wicked in Bed", "Caan Dun", and "Ting A Ling".

He won back-to-back Grammy awards in the Reggae category in 1991 & 1992, the first dancehall deejay to do so. He also

His later reputation was badly damaged by his explicitly homophobic views and lyrics. This was evidenced by a particularly notorious incident on the Channel 4 programme 'The Word' where he appeared to advocate the crucifixion of homosexuals and was condemned for his comments by presenter Mark Lamarr.

Following this episode, and subsequent negative media coverage, his career never fully recovered. He was eventually dropped by his American record label, Epic Records, in 1996. Anti-homosexuality is a common viewpoint in the reggae-dancehall community in Jamaica; Shabba Ranks is not the only artist to have referred to such matters in song. Later reggae artists that have come under criticism for their homophobic views include Buju Banton, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, and Sizzla.

Wicked In Bed is featured on the Reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, released in October 2004.

Shine Eye Gal
Shabba Ranks Lyrics

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Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man

I arise early looking some tea, rise early
Looking for the daughter but she noh on ya
I take a walk down the street
De gal deh pan corner weh push mouth lorna??
And her bed no spread

Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man

The next day she want I to take a route
Take her to the beach party
Feeling everything would be irie
Wrinkles on her face
Like the things Ive done she dont appreciate

Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man

She wants wants have noh when she really really getty
Rastafari Know she cant take it
She said natty turn off your light
Give me dreadlock whe you give me first night
So I say

Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man

Overall Meaning

The song "Shine Eye Gal" by Shabba Ranks is a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting involved with a certain type of woman, known as a shine eye gal. According to the lyrics, a shine eye gal is someone who is trouble for a man. The song opens with the singer looking for a girl named "the daughter," who is not to be found. He takes a walk down the street and sees a girl on the corner with a sullen expression and a messed up bed.

The next day, she asks the singer to take her to the beach party, and he agrees, thinking everything will be "irie" (good). However, he notices that she has wrinkles on her face, which indicate that she may be older than she appears. In addition, she does not seem to appreciate the things he has done for her.

Later on, she asks him to turn off the lights and give her a "dreadlock" (sexual act). However, the singer realizes that she is only interested in him because he has money and status. The repeated refrain of "Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man" underscores the theme of the song, which is that getting involved with a woman who is only interested in material things can lead to trouble.

Line by Line Meaning

Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
The song's main message, stating that a particular type of woman known as 'Shine Eye Gal' poses problems in men's lives.

I arise early looking some tea, rise early
I wake up early in the morning and search for some tea to drink.

Looking for the daughter but she noh on ya
I am searching for a particular woman, but she is not around.

I take a walk down the street
I walk down the street to find her.

De gal deh pan corner weh push mouth lorna?? And her bed no spread
I see the woman on the street corner, talking loudly and inappropriately. Her bed is also not made, suggesting she is not a responsible person.

The next day she want I to take a route Take her to the beach party Feeling everything would be irie
The next day, the woman asks me to take her to a party at the beach, hoping everything will go smoothly.

Wrinkles on her face Like the things Ive done she dont appreciate
The woman has wrinkles on her face and does not appreciate the things I do for her.

She wants wants have noh when she really really getty Rastafari Know she cant take it
The woman wants things she cannot afford, but I know she cannot handle them.

She said natty turn off your light Give me dreadlock whe you give me first night So I say
The woman asks me to turn off the light and give her the same experience we had the first night we were together.

Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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