About the artist
John Holt was a Jamaican reggae and rocksteady singer, born in Kingston, who first rose to prominence in the 1960s as a member of the vocal trio The Paragons before launching a prolific solo career. His smooth, romantic tenor voice became one of the defining sounds of rocksteady and early reggae, and he was widely regarded as one of Jamaica's finest interpreters of pop and soul standards, often reworking American and British songs into a Jamaican idiom.
Holt's solo output in the 1970s made him a major star, with hits like «Ali Baba», «Stealing Stealing» and «Strange Things» showcasing his gift for tender, melodic storytelling. He became especially known for his lush cover versions, most famously his rendition of Tom Rush's «If I Were A Carpenter» and John Denver's «I'd Love You to Want Me», both of which became massive successes in the UK and helped bring reggae vocal music to wider pop audiences.
In the 1980s, Holt embraced the emerging dancehall sound, scoring one of his biggest and most enduring hits with «Police In Helicopter», a song addressing the Jamaican government's crackdown on marijuana farming that remains a reggae classic. Throughout his career he recorded prolifically for numerous producers, cementing his legacy as a foundational voice bridging rocksteady, reggae, and dancehall.
Popular tracks
Frequently asked questions
Where is John Holt from?+
What genre is John Holt?+
What are the most popular songs by John Holt?+
How many John Holt songs are on Lyricser?+
When did John Holt start?+
Similar artists
Discography
Back in Time
2023
Don’t Break Your Promise
2021
Electrified, Vol. 2
2017
Mixing Lab Hits (Remastered)
2017
The Master
2017
The Superstar
2011
The All Time Greatest Hits
2011
John Holt’s 21 Miles from You
2006
Looking Back (The Definitive Collection)
2005
Peacemaker
2002
Kiss and Say Goodbye
2001
Born Free
2001
Stick by Me
2000
Ultimate Holt
2000
Still in Chains / Holt... Plus
1999
Tonight at Treasure Isle
1998
New Horizon
1998
The Further You Look / Dusty Roads
1997
In Demand
1997
The Tide Is High
1996
Reggae Max
1996
One Million Volts of Holt
1995
20 Great Hits
1993
John Holt’s Let Your Love Flow
1988
The Reggae Christmas Hits Album
1986
For Lovers and Dancers
1984
Police in Helicopter
1983
Sweetie Come Brush Me
1982
Gold
1982
Just The Two Of Us
1982
Spotlight On John Holt
1979
Let It Go On
1978
Holt Goes Disco
1978
Roots of Holt
1977
World of Love
1977
2000 Volts of Holt
1976
2000 Volts of Holt (Bonus Track Edition)
1976
1000 Volts of Holt
1974
Like a Bolt
1973
Time Is the Master
1973
1000 Volts of Holt (Deluxe Edition)
1973
1000 Volts of Holt (Bonus Tracks Edition)
1973
Pledging My Love
1972
Holt
1971
Still In Chains
1971
A Love I Can Feel
1970
We Nah Leave
Love Songs, Vol. 2
500 Volts of Dub
Shashamane Intl Salutes John Holt (100% Dubplate Selection)
Here I Come Again
Say No More
More Fire
Slow Dancing
Electrified
The Aggrovators Present John Holt
Why I Care
Shame The Devil
Electrified, Vol. 3