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Artist
Ernie Smith
12+ albums
Allreggaeroots reggaerootstrojan
about
Ernie Smith (born Glenroy Anthony Michael Archangelo Smith in Kingston, Jamaica, in May 1945; died 16 April 2026) was a reggae singer remembered for his deep baritone voice and his greatest success in the late 1960s and 1970s. Raised in St. Ann, Smith initially (unsuccessfully) sought a career as a radio announcer, but then approached Federal Studios looking for work as a songwriter, ending up recording his songs himself. Recording initially in an easy listening style, Smith's first chart success came in the late 1960s with "Bend Down", which was followed by Jamaican number one hits in "Ride On Sammy," "One Dream," and "Pitta Patta", all produced by Richard Khouri at Federal, the latter based on Lee "Scratch" Perry's "Musical Transplant" rhythm, which was voted the best song of the year in Swing magazine. In 1972, he won the Yamaha Music Festival in Japan with "Life Is Just For Living", a song originally written for a Red Stripe commercial. In 1973, he was honoured by the Jamaican government with The Badge Of Honour For Meritorious Service In The Field Of Music. An album, Life Is Just For Living followed in 1974 on Trojan Records. "Pitta Patta" was followed by further Jamaican hits with "Duppy or Gunman" and "Key Card". Smith also had success with covers of popular songs such as "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and "Everything I Own", and as a songwriter had success at the Festival Song Contest in 1974 with Tinga Stewart's "Play De Music". Smith's "Tears On My Pillow (
top songs
albums
Life is Just For Living
The Best of Ernie Smith - Original Masters
Ernie Smith Greatest Hits
After 30 Years: Life Is Just For Living
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Trojan Box Set - Beatles Tribute (CD 1)
Child of the Light
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Trojan Carnival Box Set
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Trojan Tighten Up
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Reggae Anthology: The Definitive Collection of Federal Records
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Mellow Dubmarine: Tribute to the Beatles
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Trojan - Bob Marley Covers
Trojan Tighten Up Box Set CD2