Palmer was born in 1962 and grew up in the Waltham Park area of Kingston, and decided from an early age that he wanted to be a singer. He began by singing to the accompaniment of Soul Syndicate guitarist Tony Chin. His first recording was "Love Is A Message" for producer Bunny Lee when he was eight years old, which was followed by "A-Class Girl" for the Black Solidarity label, which was co-run by Palmer and Ossie Thomas. He came to the attention of producer/deejay Jah Thomas, who began a substantial association with Palmer with the track "Entertainment", when Palmer was aged around 14. He made a major breakthrough with his performance in 1979 at the General Penitentiary Memorial Concert for Claudie Massop, which also featured Bob Marley. Palmer became a popular artist in the "singjay" style in the early 1980s. "Entertainment" was a Jamaican hit and he enjoyed further successes with "Water Bubbling", "Spliff Tail", "Raving", and "Run Around Woman". Palmer also worked with Linval Thompson, who produced his Joker Lover and Settle Down Girl albums, and later George Phang, Tony Robinson, Sugar Minott, Bunny Gemini, and Castro Brown. At one point in the early 1980s, Palmer had nine songs in Jamaica's Top 40.
In the mid-1980s, Palmer became involved in the famine-relief charity project Music is Life, along with Freddie McGregor, Mutabaruka, Gregory Isaacs, Third World, Edi Fitzroy, and Steel Pulse, contributing to the charity single "Land of Africa".
His popularity continued through the 1980s, and in the 1990s he recorded the Three Against War song and album with Dennis Brown and Beenie Man.
Palmer has worked as a producer himself, working with artists such as Phillip Frazer, Josie Wales, and Robert Ffrench, and has provided backing vocals for singers such as Sugar Minott, Tony Tuff, and Freddie McGregor. He also built his own Star Creation studio.
Albums
Presenting Triston Palma (1981) Black Roots
Fancyness (1982) Gorgon
Joker Lover (1982) Jah Guidance
Showcase In A Roots Radics Drum & Bass (1982) Midnight Rock/Vista Sounds/Gorgon
Joker Smoker (1982) Greensleeves/Clocktower
Touch Me, Take Me (1982) Midnight Rock/Vista Sounds
Nice Time (1982) Jam Rock (with Toyan)
Entertainment (1982) Midnight Rock
Settle Down Girl (1983) Trojan
The Big Showdown (1984) Black Solidarity (Trison Palma and Phillip Frazer)
Triston Palma Meets Early B The Doctor (198?) Fantastique (Triston Palma and Early B)
I and I and Inity (198?) Drum & Bass (with Philip Frazer)
Wounded (1989) Bungem
The Best of (198?) Rohit
Three Against War (1995) VP (with Dennis Brown and Beenie Man)
Triston Palmer Meets Jah Thomas Inna Disco Style (1996) Munich/Majestic
Born Naked (1997) I&I Foundation
On The Attack Blue Mountain
Wounded Bungem
Spliff Tail Black Solidarity
Triston Palma Meets Michael Palmer Midnight Rock (with Michael Palmer)
Two Roads (2000) Easy Star
[edit]Singles
"Melissa" (1982) JR 7"
"My Father Love" Vasco 7"
"Spliff Tail" Black Solidarity 7"
"Another Girl" with Phillip Frazier Solidarity International 7"
"Ghetto Vibes" I&I Foundation 7"
"The Struggle" with Norris Man I&I Foundation 7"
"Can't Let Them Do That" (1997) Artistic 7"
"Jah Is In Charge" (1997) Ruff Stock 7"
"Cuss Cuss" (1997) Massive B 7"
"Original Fussing & Fighting" (1998) Ranking Joe 7"
"Sweet Reggae Music" Corner Stone 12"
Joker Smoker
Triston Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some a joker smoker, joker smoker, joker smoker
Smoking is a habit, some man can' maintain it, oh yeah-yeh-yeh
Them come on your corner, them a beg you sensimilla, yeh-yeh-yeh
You gi' them sensimilla, them a beg you a rizla, yeh-yeh-yeh
You gi' them de rizla, them a borrow your lighter
To give away I don't feel no way
But every day you a come wit' your same say
"May I beg you a spliff, sir?
May I beg you a cigarette, sir?
May I borrow your lighter?"
'Cause them a joker smoker
Joker smoker, joker smoker
Smoking is a habit, some man can' maintain it, oh-ho-yeah-eh-eh
Them come on your corner, them a beg you sensimilla, yeh-yeh-yeh
You gi' them sensimilla, them a beg you a rizla
'Cause them a joker smoker, 'cause them a joker smoker
Joker smoker, joker smoker
To give away I don't feel no way
But every day you a come wit' the same say
"May I beg you a spliff, sir?
May I beg you a cigarette, sir?
May I borrow your lighter?"
'Cause you a joker smoker, joker smoker
Smoking is a habit, some man can' maintain it, no-no-no-oh
Them come on your corner, them a beg you sensimilla
You gi' them sensimilla, them a beg you a rizla, yeh-yeh-yeh
You gi' them de rizla, them a borrow your lighter
'Cause them a joker smoker, 'cause them a joker smoker
Cause you a joker smoker
Back weh joker smoker, well
Joker smoker, joker smoker
Dem come 'pon your corner, dem a beg you sensmilla
'Cause them a joker smoker
Them a borrow mi lighter
Them a beg mi a rizla
'Cause them a joker smoker
The song "Joker Smoker" by Triston Palmer talks about a common experience for smokers who are approached by strangers on the street asking for a lighter, rolling papers, or a cigarette. The term "joker smoker" refers to individuals who are habitual beggars or "jokers" who only smoke when they get cigarettes or marijuana from unsuspecting smokers. The lyrics convey Palmer's frustration with smokers who continuously beg for his help, only to disappear after receiving what they want.
The repetitiveness of the phrase "May I beg you a spliff, sir? May I beg you a cigarette, sir? May I borrow your lighter?" emphasizes the singer's annoyance with these individuals. The line "smoking is a habit, some man can't maintain it" highlights the addictive nature of smoking and how it can disrupt people's lives.
Palmer's use of Jamaican Patois adds another layer of meaning to the song. The word "sensimilla," which means marijuana, is a Jamaican slang term; "rizla" refers to rolling papers, and "spliff" refers to a joint. In this way, the song speaks to a particular cultural context and serves as commentary on a facet of Jamaican street culture. It also presents smoking as a social activity that can bring people together or create friction between strangers.
Line by Line Meaning
Joker smoker, joker smoker
The repetition emphasizes that the song is about those who smoke weed habitually and irresponsibly.
Smoking is a habit, some man can' maintain it, oh yeah-yeh-yeh
Some people can't handle smoking weed in moderation; it becomes a habit, and they can't live without it.
Them come on your corner, them a beg you sensimilla, yeh-yeh-yeh
People who smoke weed habitually will come to you and ask for some weed.
You gi' them sensimilla, them a beg you a rizla, yeh-yeh-yeh
If you give them weed, they'll ask you for papers to roll it up.
You gi' them de rizla, them a borrow your lighter
If you give them papers, they'll ask you to borrow your lighter to light it up.
To give away I don't feel no way
The singer doesn't mind giving away weed, papers, or a lighter.
But every day you a come wit' your same say
The same people will come to you every day with the same request for weed, papers, or lighter.
"May I beg you a spliff, sir?
May I beg you a cigarette, sir?
May I borrow your lighter?"
The repeated requests for weed, tobacco, and lighter are signs of habitual irresponsible smoking.
'Cause them a joker smoker
The people who smoke irresponsibly and habitually are joker smokers.
Smoking is a habit, some man can' maintain it, oh-ho-yeah-eh-eh
Irresponsible and habitual smoking is a problem, and some people can't control it.
'Cause them a joker smoker, 'cause them a joker smoker
Joker smoker, joker smoker
The chorus repeats that these people are habitual and irresponsible smokers.
Cause you a joker smoker, joker smoker
The singer is addressing someone in particular as a habitual and irresponsible smoker.
Back weh joker smoker, well
Joker smoker, joker smoker
The singer doesn't want to associate with habitual and irresponsible smokers.
Dem come 'pon your corner, dem a beg you sensmilla
People who smoke irresponsibly will come to your place and ask for weed.
'Cause them a joker smoker
These people are jokers because of their irresponsible and habitual smoking behavior.
Them a borrow mi lighter
Them a beg mi a rizla
'Cause them a joker smoker
These people will borrow your lighter and ask you for papers to roll their weed, making them habitual and irresponsible smokers.
Contributed by Sydney R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.