From en.wikipedia.org:
[1963 single by The Wailers] [date=December 2009] {{Listen | filename = Bob
Marley & The Wailers - Simmer Down (1964).ogg | title = "Simmer Down" |
description = A sample of the single. | pos = right }} " SIMMER DOWN" is the
first single released by the Wailers, accompanied by the ska supergroup the
Skatalites and produced by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in 1963. It was the number
one hit in Jamaica in February 1964.[date=April 2017]
The song was directed to the "rude boys" of the ghettos of Jamaica at the
time, sending them a message to cool down or "simmer down" with all the
violence and crime going on in Kingston. The subject matter of "Simmer Down"
made the Wailers stand out amongst their contemporaries. The ska sound of the
single is a marked contrast to the slower reggae that the Wailers would later
become internationally known for. The Wailers at this time contained Bob
Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Cherry Smith, and
Beverley Kelso. It was Bob Marley's first hit and his career as a songwriter
and performer took off from there.
In spite of "Simmer Down["']s success, Peter Tosh, one of the three original
Wailers, said in an interview that he hated it.[1]
Later, the song was covered by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones for their EP
_Ska-Core, the Devil, and More_, by Neville Staple for his album _Ska Au Go
Go_, as well as by the Specials for their cover album _Today's
Specials_.[date=April 2017]
** See also
- List of best-selling singles by country
** References
[Reflist]
[Bob Marley] [Authority control]
Category:Bob Marley songs Category:1963 singles Category:1963 songs
Category:The Specials songs Category:Song articles with missing songwriters
Category:Songs about crime Category:Songs about teenagers
[1960s-single-stub]