| OK Fred | |
| Cover: | OK Fred.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | John Holt |
| B-Side: | Jamaica Bag |
| Released: | 1971 |
| Genre: | Reggae |
| Label: | Studio One |
| Producer: | Coxsone Dodd |
| OK Fred | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Errol Dunkley |
| B-Side: | OK Fred (instrumental version) |
| Released: | 1979 |
| Genre: | Reggae |
| Label: | Scope |
| Producer: | Ossie Hibbert |
"OK Fred" is a song by Jamaican singer-songwriter John Holt.[1] It was first released as a single in 1971.[2]
Errol Dunkley stated that the song is about an up-town girl who falls for a down-town guy who is a non-conformist in the way he dresses and wants to become care-free like him. Jamaican parents might tell their unkempt children, "Fix up youself, put you shirt in you trousers, you look like a yaga yaga" [sic].[3] AllMusic gave a different version, saying the song describes the singer's prowess and technique with the opposite sex.[2] The song is considered a cross over hit due to being by a Jamaican artist but appealing to a white audience.[4]
Holt's version features Vin Gordon on trombone. It was produced by Coxsone Dodd.[2] The song was covered with greater chart success by Dunkley.[5]
Holt's version did not chart in the UK. Dunkley's version reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart in 1979, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.[6]