As naturalised children of immigrants from the Caribbean, part of the aftermath of World War II, the children were moved to London. They attended a local high school near Ladbroke Grove, and various junior schools as Tan Tan children of immigrants from the Caribbean around West London in 1975. Vocalist Brinsley Forde had a brief career on television on the British children's television series "Here Come the Double Deckers" in 1970-71.
The original members of Aswad were Brinsley Forde, George Oban, Drummie Zeb, and Donald Griffiths. Courtney Hemmings was a frequent contributor in the 1970s, including as part of the backing band on Burning Spear's 1979 Live album, recorded at the Rainbow Theatre in London.
They became one the U.K.'s top reggae bands with songs, typical of the time, about the oppression of black youth, such as "Three Babylon" and "It's Not Our Wish", and the powerful jazz-influenced instrumental "Warrior Charge".
The band gained a wider audience with the New Chapter album (1981). "Fire", the opening track gained wide recognition when it was used as the backing rhythm for Dennis Brown's "Promised Land."
Among Aswad's catalogue of hits is "Don't Turn Around", a pop hit in 1988. This track was originally a B-side to Tina Turner's hit "Typical Male", which was later covered by Ace of Base; and a reggae flavoured rendition of "Best of My Love", first popularised and written by The Eagles. Their next hit, Shine, was released in 1994. Another track was the upbeat 1998 remake of The Police's "Invisible Sun", performed with Sting.
The band also hold the distinction of having played with each one of the ex-Wailers.
Band members
* Martin Augustine aka "Tatta" - Lead guitar
* Brinsley Forde aka "Dan" (born 16 October 1952, Guyana) - Vocals, Rhythm guitar
* Drummie Zeb aka Angus Gaye (born 1959, London, United Kingdom) - Vocals, Drums
* Donald Griffiths (born 1954, Jamaica)
* Jimmy Haynes aka "Senyah" - Lead guitar, Acoustic guitar
* Clifton Morrison aka "Bigga" - Vocals, Keyboards, Melodica
* George Oban - Left in 1980 - Bass guitar
* Tony Gad - real name Dennis Anthony Robinson, born 11 November 1957, London. Joined in 1980 - Vocals, Bass guitar
Discography
* 1976: Aswad - Mango Records
* 1978: Hulet - Mango Records
* 1981: New Chapter - Columbia Records
* 1981: Showcase - Mango Records
* 1982: A New Chapter of Dub - Mango Records
* 1982: Not Satisfied - Columbia Records
* 1983: Live and Direct - Mango Records
* 1984: Rebel Souls - Mango Records
* 1986: To the Top - Simba
* 1988: Jah Shaka Meets Aswad in Addis Ababa Studio - Jah Shaka
* 1988: Distant Thunder - Mango Records
* 1988: Renaissance - 20 Crucial Tracks - Stylus
* 1989: Aswad: Crucial Tracks
* 1990: Next to You - Alex
* 1990: Too Wicked - Mango Records
* 1993: Firesticks - Alex
* 1994: Rise and Shine - Rhino Entertainment
* 1995: Rise and Shine Again! - Mesa
* 1995: Dub: The Next Frontier - Mesa
* 1997: Big Up - Atlantic Records
* 1999: Roots Revival - Ark 21
* 2002: Cool Summer Reggae
Don't Turn Around
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you wanna leave, baby
I won't beg you to stay
And if you gotta go darling
Maybe it's better that way
I'm gonna be strong, I'm gonna do fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine
Walk out that door
See if I care
Go on and go now
But don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me crying
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
And I won't let you know, baby
I won't let you know
I won't miss your arms around me
Holding me tight
And if you ever think about me
Just know that I'm gonna be alright
I'm gonna be strong, I'm gonna do fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine
I know I'll survive, yeah
I'll make it through
And I'll even learn to live without you
But don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me crying
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
And I won't let you know
I wish I could scream out loud
That I love you
I wish I could say to you
Don't go, don't go, don't go
Don't turn around
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me crying
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
Don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me crying
Just walk away
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
Don't you turn around
I'm proud, I don't want you to see that I'm cryin'
Don't you turn around
And then would you turn around when you're leaving
Don't you turn around
Bye bye, I don't want you to see that I'm cryin'
Don't you turn around
The song "Don't Turn Around" by Aswad is a heartbreak anthem about the pain of letting go of someone you love. The lyrics are about a person who has decided to end a relationship and leave, but the singer will not beg them to stay. Instead, they will be strong and try to move on, even though it is tearing them apart inside. The line "But don't turn around, 'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking" is the key lyric, expressing the singer's vulnerability and desire to hide their emotions from their departing lover. Despite this, they still wish they could tell the person they love them and ask them to reconsider leaving.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "Don't turn around" several times, emphasizing the singer's fear of being seen crying and their need to escape the situation. The verses then express the singer's resolve to be strong and move on, even if it means learning to live without the person they love. Overall, the lyrics are emotional and raw, capturing the pain and complexity of love and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
If you wanna leave, baby
I won't beg you to stay
I won't plead with you to stay if you want to leave
And if you gotta go darling
Maybe it's better that way
Perhaps it's for the best if you have to leave
I'm gonna be strong, I'm gonna do fine
Don't worry about this heart of mine
I will be strong and okay, don't be concerned about me
Walk out that door
See if I care
Go on and go now
Leave if you want, it won't affect me, go now
But don't turn around
'Cause you're gonna see my heart breaking
Please don't look back, I'll be heartbroken if you do
I won't miss your arms around me
Holding me tight
I won't miss your embrace
And if you ever think about me
Just know that I'm gonna be alright
If you ever think of me, know that I'll be okay
I wish I could scream out loud
That I love you
I wish I could say to you
Don't go, don't go, don't go
I want to tell you I love you and ask you not to leave
Don't turn around
I don't want you seeing me crying
Please don't look back and see me crying
It's tearing me apart that you're leaving
I'm letting you go
It's painful that you're leaving, but I'm releasing you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Realsongs
Written by: Barry Mann, Phil Spector, Cynthia Weil, Albert Hammond, Diane Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mohamed A. Turay
on Old Fire Stick
WICKED TRUTH! JUST FOR YOU!