Mr. Brown (song)

"Mr. Brown" is a song by Jamaican group The Wailers. Recorded in 1970 at Randy's recording studio in Kingston, it was produced by Lee Perry and written by regular Upsetter musician Glen Adams. It was originally released as a single in Jamaica and was included on the 1971 album Soul Revolution.

Because it's based on a ghost rumor, the song has lyrics and instrumentals based on a spooky style. It is sometimes also called "Dracula". The song has been featured on a few Halloween albums, and has a remix with DJ Spooky.

The song's music sampled Jackie Mittoo's "Peenie Wallie."

Background

The theme of the song relates to a rumour that was spreading through Jamaica that a duppy, or ghost, had been spotted in numerous locations speeding through the land on a three wheeled coffin, perched upon which were three John Crows, or buzzards, one of which could talk and was asking for a Mr. Brown. Glen Adams wrote the lyrics after hearing the story, and after Lee Perry's suggestion, was sung by The Wailers.^[1]

Composition

The song is played in the key of C# major and is mostly based around the chord progression (I-IV-V-IV) with an A# minor bridge. To go with the terror theme, the song has spooky elements such as evil laughters.

References

1. ^ Katz, David (2006). People Funny Boy : The Genius of Lee Scratch Perry, p.117-8. Omnibus Press, Worldwide. ISBN 1-84609-443-7