Desmond Dekker (16 July 1941 – 25 May 2006) was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Actually performed by Desmond Decker and the Aces, it was the first Reggae No.
About “The Israelites” Actually performed by Desmond Decker and the Aces, it was the first Reggae No.
In 1975, it was re-released in the UK, making #10 in a version credited to just Desmond Dekker. 1 in the UK and the second to make the top 10 in the US.
Although few could understand all the lyrics, the single was the first UK reggae number one and among the first to reach the US top ten (peaking at number 9). The word can also be used to describe one of God's chosen people. Desmond Dekker - Israelites — (Official Music Video) - YouTube
The Israelites 1 in the UK and the second to make the top 10 in the US.Musically, “Israelites” is all about Jamacian syncopation. A guitar and organ provide opening chords and counterpoints, but it’s the Jamaican reggae rhythm expressed by that jittery drummer, combined with those terrific vocals that defines the song.The song is rooted in the ideas of the Rastafarian religion, which borrows the idea of the twelve Tribes from Judaism: the “Israelites”. Together with his backing group, The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with "Israelites". It combined the Rastafarian religion with rude boy concerns, to make what has been described as a "timeless masterpiece that knew no boundaries". "Israelites" brought a Jamaican beat to the British top 40 for the first time since Dekker's number 14 hit "The disc was released in the UK in March 1969 and was number one for one week, selling over 250,000 copies.Dekker had two more UK Top 10 hits over the next year, "Dekker recorded on the Pyramid record label, and when its catalogue was acquired by Cactus Records in 1975, "Israelites" was re-issued in a first-time stereo mix.The song has appeared in numerous movies and television programs,On November 3, 2019, "Israelites" was prominently featured in the The Israelites were the inhabitants of Israel descended by Jacob.
Dekker uses the meaning in this later context, as he sings about his struggles while repeatedly invoking the term. Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir So that every mouth can be fed Poor, poor me, Israelites. "Israelites" is a song written by Desmond Dekker and Leslie Kong that became a hit for Dekker's group, Desmond Dekker & The Aces, reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries in 1969.
Lyrics to 'Israelites' by Desmond Dekker. Aah Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir Originally issued in Jamaica as "Poor Me Israelites"Despite "Israelites" being recorded and released in 1968, the Uni 45 discography shows its cataloguing in 1969.