The Jamaica Observer’s Entertainment Desk continues with the 38th of its biweekly feature looking at seminal moments that have helped shape Jamaica over the past 60 years.

IN 1987 Jamaica marked its 25th year of Independence from Great Britian. That milestone was encapsulated with Roy Rayon’s Jamaica Festival Song Competition winner Give Thanks and Praises, written by the Fabulous 5’s Ashley “Grub” Cooper.

“Give Thanks and Praises reflects the heart and soul of the average Jamaican music lover and the person who loves Jamaica… who will stay here and be the last one who turns off the lights… That is what it’s all about,” Cooper told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday.

Cooper, a prolific songwriter, said he had the song in his head one year before.

“We were always on the road; and I was with a former band member Ricky Walters one night — this was [September] the previous year — and I said to him, ‘How would you like to play one of them church guitar on an intro on a Festival Song? Because I have the winner.’ He said, ‘Yeah.’ I reached Kingston the next night and in the morning I called Roy Rayon an’ sey: ‘I have the winning song for next year’ but don’t bother disturb mi now; January 1, yuh come to me… an’ every week Roy called me saying, ‘Whappen man? Weh di song?’ “

Cooper selected Rayon for Give Thanks and Praises as he had won two years prior with another Cooper-penned song, Love Fever. Fab 5 was also the competition’s backing band.

According to Cooper, he had 90 per cent of the song in his head. However, he questioned himself on the beat it should have and finally decided on a “gospel, clap-hand, revival” sound. The move reaped dividends as the song blew away the competition.

“Dem jus’ couldn’t stop that song… when we reached the [National] Arena it was a joke… I thought the arena would have collapsed… It’s one of them things in life; it was destined to happen the way it was… I was elated. Same thing at the Stadium, Grand Gala, Denbigh [show]… Oh Lord. The song is still a crowd favourite today… it just stand up, stand up, stand up,” said Cooper.

Rayon’s frenetic showmanship complemented the song.

Cooper said Give Thanks And Praises has stood the test of time.

“We play it a lot of times, like now when wi do show abroad ’cause, as you know, they are very sentimental… we play from Bam Bam, the more popular ones — we know the reaction. From being on the road I understand what resonates with the public… so I can write anything to suit any occasion,” he continued.

Rayon took top honours two more times in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition with Come Rock (1991), and Rise and Shine (2008).

Grub Cooper has written several hit songs, including Rita Marley’s One Draw, Harambe, That’s The Way, and Love Iyah; Fab 5’s All Night Party, Jamaican Woman, Mini Mini, Freeze, and Yu Safe. He also played on American singer Johnny Nash’s album I Can See Clearly Now.