G Cole Writes Tribute Song 'There Goes That Man' to Honor Ernie Smith

When G Cole heard that Ernie Smith died, he got to work instantly and wrote a tribute song to one of Jamaica’s greatest composers. That song, There Goes That Man, was released on April 28 12 days after Smith’s death.

G Cole co-produced the song with Ed Robinson, whose wife Joanna Marie was Smith’s manager at the time of his passing on April 16 at age 80 in Miami. He described Smith as “an enigma” and an “awesome storyteller.”

Smith is best known for easy-grooving songs like Pitta Patta, Life is Just For Living, Ride On Sammy and Duppy Gunman. His career peaked in the 1970s, a time of turmoil in Jamaica, his homeland.

“Ernie’s smile was as big as his voice, and he lived for that stage, no doctor. No management could keep him off it. A true showman, and he loved his fans as much as they loved him,” said G Cole, who attended Smith’s thanksgiving service at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Davie, South Florida.

There Goes That Man will be on a compilation album dedicated to Smith. It is produced by Robinson, a singer best known for his reggae cover of Bob Dylan’s Knocking on Heaven’s Door.

Although he was born in Kingston, Jamaica’s capital, Smith was raised in rural St. Ann parish where G Cole was born. They became quick friends after first meeting three years ago.

“If you sat with Ernie for a minute or for hours, one thing is for sure, you’re going to love him,” said G Cole.