Love of a Woman by Horace Andy: A Reggae Classic

Love of a Woman by Horace Andy: A Reggae Classic. “Love of a Woman” by Horace Andy is one of my all-time favorite Reggae songs. The song is one of Horace Andy’s many contributions to the reggae genre, showcasing his distinctive voice and style.

“Love of a Woman” is a classic reggae track that showcases Andy’s distinctive vocal style and lyrical prowess. The song was released in 1970 and is part of his early work that helped establish him as a significant figure in the reggae genre.

There is no detailed backstory specifically for this song. But, it is definitely part of Andy’s broader work that often explores themes of love, life, and social issues.

Horace Andy’s music from this era, including “Love of a Woman,” reflects the cultural and social climate of Jamaica in the 1970s. It was a time when reggae music emerged as a powerful voice for the people.

Horace Andy’s first hit was Love of a Woman

Horace Andy, born Horace Keith Hinds, was born on February 19, 1951, in Kingston, Jamaica. He grew up in the Alltown section of Kingston, where he was surrounded by music at a young age. Hinds listed the late American Soul singer Sam Cooke as his idol.

Hinds recorded his first single, “This is a Black Man’s Country,” in 1967 for producer Phil Pratt. But the song failed to make an impression on the Jamaican people.

Three years later, in 1970, Horace Andy made a breakthrough.

After an unsuccessful audition at Coxsone Dodd‘s Studio One as a duo with Frank Melody, a determined Horace auditioned on his own a few days later. 

Dodd was impressed and decided Hinds should record as Horace Andy to capitalize on the popularity of Bob Andy. He also avoided comparisons with his cousin, Justin Hinds, with whom his singing style at the time showed a resemblance. 

Love of a Woman

“Got To Be Sure”, the song he had auditioned with, became his first release for Studio One.

The following two years saw the release of further singles such as “See a Man’s Face,” “Night Owl,” “Fever,” and “Mr. Bassie.”

Skylarking, is Horace Andy’s most popular and enduring song

One of Andy’s most enduring songs, “Skylarking,” first appeared on Dodd’s Jamaica Today compilation album. After achieving great success with sound system operators, Dodd released it as a single. The song went on to top the Jamaican charts. 

In the following years, Andy frequently appeared in the reggae charts with several singles produced by Dodd.

Songs like “Something on My Mind,” “Love of a Woman,” “Just Say Who,” and “Every Tongue Shall Tell,” became anthems.

Hinds also released tracks for other producers, such as “Lonely Woman” for Derrick Harriott, “Girl I Love You” for Ernest and Joseph Hoo Kim, “Love You to Want Me” and “Delilah” for Gussie Clarke, and “Get Wise,” “Feel Good,” and “Money Money” for Phil Pratt.

In 1973, Andy achieved his second Jamaican number-one single with “Children of Israel.”

But Horace Andy’s most successful association with a producer was with Bunny Lee in the middle part of the 1970s.

This era produced a series of singles now regarded as classics. These included a re-recorded “Skylarking,” “Just Say Who,” “Don’t Try To Use Me,” “You Are My Angel,” “Zion Gate,” “I’ve Got to Get Away,” and a new version of “Something on My Mind.”