Diana King, Shy Guy | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 169^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Shy Guy” by reggae musician, Diana King.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 169^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Shy Guy” performed by Diana King.

“Everywhere mi guh, di man dem a rush mi.” Word. Diana King was a popular girl back in 1995.  She struck gold with her infectious reggae-pop hit, “Shy Guy”.  Early on, King expresses the desires of her heart, and it’s not those boys pursuing her:  “I don’t want no fly guy / I just want a shy guy.” You read correctly – she prefers shy guys.  “But I don’t want somebody who’s loving everybody / I need a shy guy / He’s the kinda guy who’ll only be mine.”  She has a point!

“Shy Guy” appeared on her 1995 album, Tougher Than Love.  An international hit, in the U.S., it peaked at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.  This was by far the Jamaican singer’s biggest hit stateside, and one of only two top 40 singles.  King, Kingsley Gardner, and producer, Andy Marvel, penned the irresistible joint.  The musical accompaniment thrives off its groove, rhythmic, and tropical vibes.  King infuses ample personality, and Jamaican patois, into her performance.  “Roughneck man, mi nah waan nuhn a dem,” she asserts in the second verse, adding, “Big tings a gwaan fi all di shy man dem.” King sums up her feelings perfectly in the unforgettable chorus:

“Have mercy, mercy, mercy

But nuhn a dem nah move mi, move mi, move mi

Shy guy a weh mi wanty, wanty, wanty

Only him can mek mi irie, irie, irie.”

Word. The big-personality, big-voiced Diana King shines on the 1990s bop, “Shy Guy”.  Hard to believe this song is pushing 30!

Diana King // Tougher Than Love // SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT // 1995

Diana King, Shy Guy: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 169 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]