OK Fred

"OK Fred" is a song by Jamaican singer-songwriter John Holt.[1] It was first released as a single in 1971.[2]

"OK Fred"
Single by John Holt
B-side"Jamaica Bag"
Released1971
GenreReggae
LabelStudio One
Songwriter(s)John Holt
Producer(s)Coxsone Dodd
"OK Fred"
Single by Errol Dunkley
B-side"OK Fred (instrumental version)"
Released1979
GenreReggae
LabelScope
Songwriter(s)John Holt
Producer(s)Ossie Hibbert

Background

Errol Dunkley stated that the song is about an up-town girl who falls for a down-town guy who is a non-conformist in the way he dresses and wants to become care-free like him. Jamaican parents might tell their unkempt children, "Fix up youself, put you shirt in you trousers, you look like a yaga yaga" [sic].[3] AllMusic gave a different version, saying the song describes the singer's prowess and technique with the opposite sex.[2] The song is considered a cross over hit due to being by a Jamaican artist but appealing to a white audience.[4]

Holt's version features Vin Gordon on trombone. It was produced by Coxsone Dodd.[2] The song was covered with greater chart success by Dunkley.[5]

Chart success

Holt's version did not chart in the UK. Dunkley's version reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart in 1979, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.[6]

References
  1. "OK Fred John Holt". 45cat.com. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  2. "OK Fred". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  3. Dunkley, Errol. "OK Fred's Meaning". YouTube. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
  4. Jones, Simon (1988). Black culture, white youth: the reggae tradition from JA to UK. Macmillan Education. ISBN 9780333452554.
  5. "OK Fred". Discogs.com. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  6. "Errol Dunkley". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
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