"Double Barrel" is a 1970 reggae single by Dave and Ansell Collins (though credited in both the UK and the US to 'Dave and Ansil Collins').

The song was written and produced by Winston Riley, former vocalist of The Techniques.Thompson, Dave (2002) Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, , p.317 It was a sequel to the single "Shocks of a Mighty" in which Ansell Collins played the Hammond organ while Dave Barker vocalised grunts and exclamations with a boxing theme. None of the title appears in the lyrics.

The vocals were then developed for the Double Barrel song which was recorded in one take. Barker was encouraged to think big and James Bond was suggested as a model by Riley's brother Buster. 007 was the inspiration for the catchphrase "I am the magnificent double-U, oh, oh, oh".

This song was the first appearance on record by Sly Dunbar, later of Sly & Robbie, on drums. He was just 18 at the time.

A significant portion of the tune bears a strong resemblance to Ramsey Lewis' 1967 song "Party Time" (on Chess).

Charts It was the second reggae tune to top the UK singles chart, two years after Desmond Dekker's number 1 breakthrough hit "Israelites". The record reached number 1 in the UK for the first two weeks in May 1971, selling 300,000 copies, after only 33 radio plays. The record also reached number 1 in Mexico on October 23, 1971 and number 8 in Australia.

In the US, "Double Barrel" peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 the week of 7 August 1971Billboard Hot 100, Week of August 7, 1971 – Billboard.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023. and number 4 on WLS on 28 June 1971, two years to the week after "Israelites" made a nearly identical climb to peak at the same position on the same chart. Chart (1970–71)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)8Mexico (Radio Mil)1

Cover versions The song has been covered by later ska acts such as The Selecter and The Specials. In 1972, a sample of the song was included in the top ten hit "Convention '72" by The Delegates.

Samples It was sampled in 2012 GOOD Music song "The One". The opening theme of the French YouTuber Joueur du Grenier, composed by Yannick Crémer, is inspired by the musical style and melodic structure of this song.

See also List of number-one hits of 1971 (Mexico)

References