The group was formed by Winston Riley in 1962 while still at school, with the initial line-up also featuring Slim Smith, Franklyn White, and Frederick Waite. They regularly performed at Edward Seaga's Chocomo Lawn club, where they were spotted by talent scouts from Columbia Records, who released their first single, "No One", released only in the United Kingdom in 1963. Their Jamaican debut came in 1965 when they were introduced to producer Duke Reid by singer Stranger Cole, with Reid-produced singles such as "Don't Leave Me", "When You Are Wrong", and "Little Did You Know" appearing on labels such as Island Records, and Reid's own Duke and Treasure Isle labels. Smith left the group in 1966, to pursue a solo career at Studio One, and later forming The Uniques with White. He was replaced by Pat Kelly. The shift from ska to rocksteady suited The Techniques, with a string of hits in 1967 and 1968 following, including "You Don't Care", "Queen Majesty", "I Wish It Would Rain", "It's You I Love", and "Love Is Not a Gamble".
The group left Treasure Isle in 1968, with Riley setting up his own 'Techniques' record label, releasing further sides by the group and also his productions of other artists. The group's line up changed regularly with Riley the only constant member. Other members in the late 1960s included Lloyd Parks, Bruce Ruffin, and Dave Barker. Kelly returned for a time, recording lead vocals on "What Am I To Do?".
Riley became one of the most successful Jamaican producers of the 1980s. Kelly and Ruffin enjoyed successful solo careers. Parks worked as a prolific session musician as well as working as a solo artist. Barker found fame as part of the duo Dave & Ansell Collins. Waite emigrated to the UK where he managed Musical Youth, the band including his sons as members.
The Techniques were briefly revived in 1982, with ex-Paragon Tyrone Evans on lead vocals, releasing a re-recorded "Love Is Not a Gamble", and a new album.
Discography
Albums
Little Did You Know (1967) Treasure Isle
Unforgettable Days (1981) Techniques
I'll Never Fall In Love (1983) Techniques
Compilation albums
Classics (1982) Techniques
Classics vol. 2 (1982) Techniques
Rock Steady Classics Rhino
Run Come Celebrate (1993) Heartbeat
Techniques in Dub (1997) Pressure Sounds
Queen Majesty (2007) Trojan
My Girl
The Techniques Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
I've got so much honey the bees envy me
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Ooh
I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I've got all the riches baby one man can claim
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
With my girl
I've even got the month of May
With my girl
The Techniques' classic song My Girl is a joyful celebration of love and the happiness it brings. The first two lines of the song set the mood with an image of sunshine on a cloudy day and the month of May on a cold day. The singer is so imbued with joy that he automatically asks himself what could make him feel this way. The answer, of course, is his girl, which he proudly emphasizes throughout the chorus.
The next verse takes this sentiment even further, claiming that the singer has so much honey that even the bees are envious and his song is sweeter than that of the birds. The third verse emphasizes the fact that this happiness comes not from material possessions, but the love of his girl, which he treasures above all else.
Overall, the song is a simple yet powerful testament to the enduring power of love and the joy that it brings to our lives. The Techniques deliver the lyrics with a lighthearted energy that perfectly captures the song's joyful spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got sunshine on a cloudy day
Despite having a cloudy day, I'm in a great mood and feeling happy.
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May
Even when things are tough and cold, I feel warm and comfortable like it's the month of May.
I guess you'd say
You might say, or it's fair to say.
What can make me feel this way?
What could be the reason or what could cause me to feel so good?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
It's all because of my girl, the woman I love.
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
Just emphasizing that I'm talking about my girl, the one who makes me feel this way.
I've got so much honey the bees envy me
I have an abundance of sweet and good things and people may be envious of it.
I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees
My happiness is so great that it's even more melodic and beautiful than the songs of birds in the trees.
Hey hey hey
Just an upbeat interjection to carry on with the song.
Ooh
An exclamation of excitement or pleasure.
I don't need no money, fortune, or fame
I don't require any material possessions, wealth or social status to be happy.
I've got all the riches baby one man can claim
My girl is the only form of wealth, happiness, and contentment I need.
With my girl
Reaffirming that the reason for the happiness and good feelings is his girl, and being with her.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ronald White, William Robinson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
smokeemonkee
I will NEVER EVER get tired of hearing this tune!!
Coco María
still not tired?
Fabiano Ferreira
This song is very good, I hear first time in one cd player that I played, "3 décadas de reggae" of magazine Bizz of Brazil!
Marcio Silva
A tenho ! My Girl , 555 Crown St. , Day-0 e The Same Song são , pra mim , as melhores dessa coletânea .
Everton Baker
This goes to my Soul....Wowwwwww!!
Fabiano Ferreira
Day-o quem canta se eu não me engano é o Gregory Isaacs. Não é ?
Colin Jane
I second that comment. Also Taurus Riley, If you ever stumble on this one, PLEASE PLEASE Re=record it and release it, it needs to be heard again by the young ones - exactly as it is - dont change it.x.x.
MoeStep
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥