Simmer Down

"Simmer Down" is the first single released by The Wailers, accompanied by the ska supergroup, The Skatalites, and produced by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in 1963.

[citation needed] The song was directed to the "rude boys" of the ghettos of Jamaica at the time, sending them a message to cool down or "Simmer Down" with all the violence and crime going on in Kingston.

The ska sound of the single is a marked contrast to the slower reggae that the Wailers would later become internationally known for.

In spite of "Simmer Down"'s success, Peter Tosh, one of the three original Wailers, said in an interview that he hated it.

[1] Later, the song was covered by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones for their EP Ska-Core, the Devil, and More, by Neville Staple for his album Ska Au Go Go, as well as by The Specials for their cover album Today's Specials.