"Dat" is a song by Jamaican singer Pluto Shervington, released as a single by him, on the Opal Records record label, in 1976.
| "Dat" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Pluto Shervington | |
| B-side | "Dat (version)" |
| Released | 1976 |
| Genre | Reggae, novelty |
| Length | 3:55 |
| Label | Opal Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Leighton Shervington |
| Producer(s) | Paul Khouri |
| Official audio | |
| "Dat" on YouTube | |
The single reached number 6 in the UK Singles Chart on 6 March 1976, staying in the charts for a total of eight weeks. It was Shervington's biggest hit in the UK.[1]
The song is about a Rastafarian, contrary to the faith, trying to buy pork without actually naming it to the butcher, within earshot of his "brethren", thereby saving enough money to be able to afford marijuana:
- Rasta Ozzy, from up the hill
- Decide fi check on 'im grocery bill
- And when 'im add up de things 'im need
- Di dooney done, weh him save fi buy little weed
Unable to get the butcher to take the hint, he asks for a pound of "Dat t'ing dere".[2][3]
Although released in the UK as a novelty song, it reflects on the financial situation faced by many people at the time in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica.[4]
On 19 February 1976 Shervington appeared on video, performing the song, on BBC's Top of the Pops[5] and appeared again in the video the following week on 4 March.[6] Trojan Records capitalized on this success by reissuing his first single, "Ram Goat Liver", which peaked just outside the top 40 in the UK.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ "DAT". Official Charts. February 7, 1976.
- ^ Campbell, Joy L. (26 May 2017). "Seven of Jamaica's Funniest Songs". Jamaicans.com. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "'Ram Goat Liver' singer Pluto Shervington has died". The Gleaner. Jamaica. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Pluto Shervington". Trojanrecords.com.
- ^ "Top of the Pops – 19 February 1976". Thetvdb.com. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
- ^ "Top of the Pops – 4th March 1976". Thetvdb.com.
- ^ Larkin, Colin (1998), The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9
- ^ "Pluto Shervington | Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
External links
edit- "Dat" at Discogs.com
- Pluto Shervington at 45cat.com