The Gaylads were a popular rocksteady vocal trio active in Jamaica between … Read Full Bio ↴The Gaylads were a popular rocksteady vocal trio active in Jamaica between 1963 and 1973. The group, formed in Kingston, originally consisted of singers Harris "B.B." Seaton, Winston Delano Stewart and Maurice Roberts; Seaton and Stewart had previously been successful as the duo Winston & Bibby. There would be several line-up changes throughout The Gaylads' ten year history, with Maurice Roberts remaining the only constant member. Besides recording several hit records, The Gaylads also backed many influential musicians (including Ken Boothe) on recordings.

Some of their hits included one of the first singles encouraging repatriation - "Africa (We Want To Go)" and "It's Hard To Confess".

If You Don't Mind
The Gaylads Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll wear my slanders to your party
If you don't mind
I'll grow my hair in any kind of style
All I want to say is that my heart is clean
Don't you, dont't you know just what I mean?
Mean...

If you don't mind

If you don't mind
Oooh baby!

I'll drink a touch of brandy
If you don't mind

Is not that I like the stuff
But something is on my mind
All I Wanna say is just give me a chance

Let me find a girl and enjoy this dance
Dance...

If you don't mind
If you don't mind
Oooh baby!

(Instrumental Sound)

All I wanna say is just give me a chance
Let me find a girl and enjoy this dance
Dance...

If you don't mind
If you don't mind
Oooh baby!
My clothes is torn and tattered
I pay that no mind
My soul is clean and untapered
If you don't mind

All I wanna say is just give me a chance
Let me find a girl and enjoy this dance
Dance...

If you don't mind
If you don't mind

Oooh baby!
Oooh!

Overall Meaning

The Gaylads's song If You Don't Mind is a plea for acceptance and a request for a chance from the singer to enjoy himself at a party. The first verse talks about the singer's appearance and how he will dress up for the party if he is allowed to attend. The singer also emphasizes that his heart is clean, meaning that he is not attending the party with any negative intentions. The phrase "Don't you, don't you know just what I mean?" at the end of the verse indicates the singer's frustration with not being able to convey his genuine intentions to the people who are not accepting him.

In the second verse, the singer mentions that he will drink brandy because he has something on his mind that he wants to express. However, he is not actually fond of the drink. He asks for a chance to find a girl and enjoy the party, which is further emphasized in the repetition of the lines "Let me find a girl and enjoy this dance" in the subsequent verses.

The chorus, "If you don't mind, if you don't mind, ooh baby!" is an appeal to those who are in the position of power to grant him the opportunity to enjoy himself at the party. The last verse is an acceptance of his appearance and a statement that his soul is clean and untapered, meaning that he has good intentions.

Overall, the song is an appeal for acceptance and a chance to enjoy oneself without any prejudices.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll wear my slanders to your party
I will wear my old clothes to your party

If you don't mind
If you are okay with it

I'll grow my hair in any kind of style
I will style my hair however I want

All I want to say is that my heart is clean
I am a good person

Don't you, dont't you know just what I mean?
Do you understand what I am trying to say?

I'll drink a touch of brandy
I will have a little bit of brandy

Is not that I like the stuff
It's not that I enjoy drinking brandy

But something is on my mind
I have something on my mind

All I Wanna say is just give me a chance
Please give me an opportunity

Let me find a girl and enjoy this dance
Let me find a girl to dance with