The track was originally written in 1958 by , a member of the vocal trio the Folkes Brothers .
In 1960, a then-unknown producer named Prince Buster decided to record the track. In a revolutionary move, Buster brought in Count Ossie and his group of drummers from the Wareika Hills to provide the percussion.
Despite the title, Folkes actually wrote the song for his girlfriend at the time, whose name was Noelena. oh_carolina
The story behind the landmark song "" is actually a central chapter in the history of Jamaican music, marking the moment that Rastafarian influence first broke into the mainstream. The Original Recording (1960)
This was the first time Niyabinghi -style drumming—a sacred Rastafarian tradition—was featured on a popular record. At a time when Rastafarians were marginalized in Jamaican society, the song's massive success helped grant the movement a new level of "respectability". The track was originally written in 1958 by
Released as the lead single from his debut album Pure Pleasure , Shaggy's version topped charts worldwide, including reaching number one in the UK.
While the original was a pioneer of ska and early reggae, Shaggy’s version blended the classic rhythm with modern dancehall and his signature "Mr. Lover-Lover" persona. Other Versions Despite the title, Folkes actually wrote the song
Decades later, the song became a global phenomenon when it was covered by the Jamaican-American artist Shaggy .
