Blair grew up in rural Clarks Town in the northwestern parish of Trelawny. His deeply religious family life (his mother was a Seventh-day Adventist and his grandmother a Revivalist) imbued him with a profound spirituality. During his youth, his favorite singers were reggae legends Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, musicians who strongly influenced his own style. Peter Tosh's influence can definitely be heard in Anthony B's vocal delivery and revolutionary stance.
Anthony B adopted Rastafarian beliefs as a teenager, a decision which was not well-received by his family. The stubborn and determined Anthony B refused to give up his new religion and his dreadlocks and moved to the home of his aunt and uncle in the Kingston suburb, Portmore.
While attending high school, Anthony B debuted as a deejay for the local sound system, Shaggy Hi-Power. In 1988, he befriended reggae artists such as Determine, Mega Banton, Ricky General and Terror Fabulous.
At this point in the reggae industry, singing "slack" songs about women was the popular thing to do. Anthony B did not believe in degrading women and chose to pen politically-slanted songs rather than so-called "gyal chunes." He hooked up with Little Devon the Half Pint sound-a-like singer he made his debut single "The Living is Hard" on the Wizard label in 1993. Anthony B tried many different producers but found that none of them fit his style of music. Finally, Anthony B teamed up with Richard "Bello" Bell, creating hits such as Fire Pon Rome, Raid Di Barn, Rumour, and Repentance Time. Anthony B's 1996 debut album Real Revolutionary was highly acclaimed in the reggae community. In late 1997, Anthony B released Universal Struggle which showed that Anthony B had a consistent, high-calibre talent. Anthony B has released a large number of albums since that time including 1999's Seven Seals and 2004's Untouchable which featured collaborations with artists including Wyclef Jean.
Anthony B tours extensively in Europe and North America and is known for his fiery, high-energy performances.
Anthony B is a member of the Bobo Ashanti branch of the Rastafarian movement. "Bobo Dreads", as they are known, are recognizable by their long robes and turbans. The strong Afrocentric pride and the other Rastafarian beliefs (or "overstandings" as Rastafarians prefer to call them) which Anthony B holds are reflected in his songs.
Discography
* Predator & Prey (1996, Alpha Enterprises)
* Real Revolutionary / So Many Things (1996, Greensleeves)
* Universal Struggle (1997, VP Records)
* Seven Seals (1999, VP Records)
* That's Life (2001, VP Records)
* More Love (2001, AO ! Records)
* Live On The Battlefield (2002, Jahmin' Records)
* Reggae Max (2002, Jet Star)
* Street Knowledge (2003, Nocturne)
* Judgment Time (2003, 2B1 Records)
* Smoke Free (2003, Bogalusa Records)
* Voice Of Jamaica vol. 2 (2003, Nocturne)
* Wise Man Chant (2004, Black Scorpio)
* Justice Fight (2004, Nocturne)
* Untouchable (2004, Togetherness Records)
* Power Of Creation (2004, Nocturne)
* Black Star (2005, Greensleeves)
* My Hope (2005, AL.TA.FA.AN. / Minor 7 Flat 5)
Normal
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can we touch di road again
Everybody keep asking
"When can we go back and party with we friends?"
Tell me
When are we going back to normal?
Back to normal
When are, when are we, when are we
When are we going back to normal?
Back to normal
Back to normal
We ah ask
"When we ah go back, go walk pon di street?"
Chuck off and swim inna di beach
Countryside inna di drop top Jeep
Come in high like Blue Mountain Peak
Anywhere we wan' go, we can reach
We always have women pon leash
Memba we nuh pastor, we nuh preach
Up every night like ah we ah make bleach
You know long now me nuh touch road
Touch e dance all wid a truck load
Lockdown, inna house ah get bored
Wan' link up mi bredren and bun ah cup load (yo)
Cah man ah real star, mek we say it prouder
We nuh boost war, we nuh make soda
Wan' go back go link wid di crowd
Long time we nuh smoke some loud
So, tell me
When are we going back to normal?
Back to normal
Back to normal
When are, when are we, when are we
When are we going back to normal?
Back to normal
Back to normal
Lockdown, me nuh see mi girl long time
We only talk pon FaceTime
Every night, every day time
Long fi mi hand touch up her waistline
Lockdown too long, me need mi gyal
Heart inna pain, cyaan' find Panadol
Imagine, toothache and cyaan' find Cafenol
And everywhere we turn is a next funeral (yeah)
Say, I don't care about teeth and tongue
I wan' party and wheel and tun
Hold on pon mi woman like cheese and bun
Nah let go until Jesus come, yeah
So mek me tell you this mankind
Memba blind cyaan' lead blind
Me tell you more than one time
Nobody cyaan' stop di sunshine
When are we going back to normal?
Back to normal
Back to normal
When are, when are we, when are we
When are we going back to normal?
Back to normal
Back to normal
We ah ask
I wanna know when
We can touch di road again
Everybody keep asking
"When can we go back and party with we friend?"
The lyrics to Anthony B's song "Normal" reflect the longing and frustration we all feel during times of lockdown and isolation. The song captures the collective desire to return to a sense of normalcy, being able to freely interact with friends, go out, and enjoy life. It begins by posing the question of when we will be able to touch the road again, symbolizing the yearning to be able to go outside, walk the streets, and engage in social activities.
The lyrics continue to express the anticipation of reuniting with friends and engaging in the activities we miss, such as swimming at the beach, driving through the countryside, and enjoying the nightlife. The song emphasizes the freedom and joy that comes with being able to go wherever we want and have a good time. However, it also acknowledges the frustration of being confined to our homes and the longing for human connection.
The chorus repeats the question of when we will return to normal, emphasizing the longing and eagerness for things to go back to the way they were. The verses further highlight the frustration, mentioning the longing for physical intimacy with loved ones, the boredom of being stuck at home, and the desire to socialize and have fun. The lyrics also touch on the idea that despite the challenges, the spirit and resilience of humanity cannot be suppressed, and eventually, the sunshine will prevail.
Overall, the lyrics of "Normal" evoke a sense of longing and frustration while capturing the universal desire for a return to normalcy and the freedom to fully enjoy life with friends.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna know when (yeah)
I'm eager to find out when
Can we touch di road again
Will we be able to hit the streets again
Everybody keep asking
Everyone keeps wondering
"When can we go back and party with we friends?"
"When can we return to having fun and celebrating with our friends?"
Tell me
Please inform me
When are we going back to normal?
When will things return to how they used to be?
Back to normal
Back to the way things were before
When are, when are we, when are we
When will we, oh when will we
When are we going back to normal?
When will we get back to the way things were before?
Back to normal
Back to the way things were before
Back to normal
Back to the way things were before
We ah ask
We are asking
"When we ah go back, go walk pon di street?"
"When will we be able to roam the streets again?"
Chuck off and swim inna di beach
Relax and swim at the beach
Countryside inna di drop top Jeep
Drive through the countryside in a convertible Jeep
Come in high like Blue Mountain Peak
Arrive with a great level of excitement and energy
Anywhere we wan' go, we can reach
We can go wherever we desire
We always have women pon leash
We always have many women around us
Memba we nuh pastor, we nuh preach
Remember, we don't act in a religious or righteous manner
Up every night like ah we ah make bleach
Staying awake every night as if we are producing bleach
You know long now me nuh touch road
It's been a long time since I've been out and about
Touch e dance all wid a truck load
Enjoy the dancehall experience with a large group of people
Lockdown, inna house ah get bored
Being under lockdown, stuck at home and feeling bored
Wan' link up mi bredren and bun ah cup load (yo)
Want to meet up with my friends and enjoy some drinks
Cah man ah real star, mek we say it prouder
Because we are true stars, let us proudly declare it
We nuh boost war, we nuh make soda
We don't promote violence, we don't create unnecessary conflicts
Wan' go back go link wid di crowd
Want to return and connect with the crowd
Long time we nuh smoke some loud
It's been a while since we've smoked some strong marijuana
Lockdown, me nuh see mi girl long time
Due to the lockdown, I haven't seen my girlfriend in a long time
We only talk pon FaceTime
We only communicate through FaceTime
Every night, every day time
Every night and every day
Long fi mi hand touch up her waistline
Longing to touch her waistline with my hand
Lockdown too long, me need mi gyal
The lockdown has been going on for too long, I need my girl
Heart inna pain, cyaan' find Panadol
My heart is in pain, and I can't find any painkillers
Imagine, toothache and cyaan' find Cafenol
Just imagine having a toothache and not being able to find any pain relief
And everywhere we turn is a next funeral (yeah)
And it seems like there's a funeral happening everywhere we go
Say, I don't care about teeth and tongue
I don't care about trivial matters
I wan' party and wheel and tun
I want to party and have a great time
Hold on pon mi woman like cheese and bun
Hold on tightly to my woman like a special treat
Nah let go until Jesus come, yeah
I won't let go until Jesus comes
So mek me tell you this mankind
Let me tell you, human beings
Memba blind cyaan' lead blind
Remember, someone who is blind can't lead another blind person
Me tell you more than one time
I have told you multiple times
Nobody cyaan' stop di sunshine
No one can stop the sunshine
When are we going back to normal?
When will things return to how they used to be?
Back to normal
Back to the way things were before
Back to normal
Back to the way things were before
When are, when are we, when are we
When will we, oh when will we
When are we going back to normal?
When will we get back to the way things were before?
Back to normal
Back to the way things were before
Back to normal
Back to the way things were before
We ah ask
We are asking
I wanna know when
I eagerly want to know when
We can touch di road again
When will we have the freedom to hit the streets again
Everybody keep asking
Everyone continues to wonder
"When can we go back and party with we friend?"
"When will we be able to return and celebrate with our friends?"
Lyrics © SUELION MUSIC
Written by: Keith Blair, Bobby Konders
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MoBoogie
Love this!!
Tallsome Lee
This is such an anthem. The masses just don't realize it yet.
Michael. M. C.
Op Op Op Op Op 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🥁🥁🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔥🔥🔥🙏🔥🔥🔥
Soulfire Clash
Agree. Big time. Views need to go 🆙 on this
Sébastien Olscamp
So true! When the dances will be back this tune will alert everybody! Real Anthem! Riddim is madd to! Anthony B still the Fire Man since 96!
Rookie_L2W
It is an anthem definitely ✨
Joe the Champ
Why this hasn’t been picked up by radio yet I have no idea. Has easy potential to be the international lockdown anthem.
ityogirlocean
I really love song it my favorite song please can you other one
thatkenyannigga
The best thing about this Information Age is that we can bypass bullshit media and access artists that we love. Bless up.
kweezinarts
You answered your own question...