Forgotten Treasure: Don Carlos “I’m not crazy” (1984)

It’s a snowy sunday morning in Montreal. You know, that Walt Disney type of snow. It might be just me but for some reason I like to listen to reggae in those type of moments, like to convince myself that the worst of winter is behind us and that next thing you know i’ll opening my windows again…

But enough about me, this is a really great “lovers rock” reggae track that you need to know about. It was a minor highlight of the early pre-digital dancehall (1984) era by Don Carlos who, outside of this track, I didn’t know about. In the grand tradition of other “lovers rock” pioneers like Ken Boothe, John Holt and more contemporary singers like Gregory Isaacs. Dope!

Oh girl, just tell me
What you are dealing with, I wanna know
Oh girl, just tell me what you are dealing with
I wanna know, I wanna know
Oh girl, I want to know, oh yes

We made arrangement to meet
Each other at the bus stop after school
And how you let me wait there
As if I’m fool, as if I’m fool
Oh yes, as if I’m fool, oh yes

If you’re looking for someone to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
‘Cause I’m a big man, girl
No, I’m not a boy, I’m not a boy, oh no
I’m not a boy, oh no

(..)

Oh girl, just tell me
What you are dealing with, I wanna know
Oh girl, just tell me what you are dealing with
I wanna know, I wanna know
Oh girl, I want to know, oh yes

You’re looking for someone to play with
Go and find yourself a toy
‘Cause I’m a big man now, girl
No, I’m not a boy, I’m not a boy, oh no
I’m not playing with toys, oh no

So girl, just tell me
What you are dealing with, I wanna know
Oh girl, just tell me what you are dealing with
I wanna know, I wanna know
Oh girl, I want to know, oh yes

We made arrangement to meet
Each other at the bus stop after school
And how you let me wait there
As if I’m fool, as if I’m fool
Oh yes, as if I’m fool, oh yes