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
Day By Day
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, alright
Na-na-na-na-na-na, oh, well
Na-na-na-na-na-na, alright
I need your love more than just an hour
I need your love more than just a day
So hold me close, my love will never falter
Now I want to hear
That we can be together
Our hopes and our dreams
We can see this way
Won't you open up your heart (Open up and let love in)
And let me in (Let this lovin' feelin' in)
For you and I will never part (Open up and let love in)
That you should know, so
I need your love more than just an hour
I need your love more than just a day, baby
So hold me close, my love will never falter
I need your love each and every day
Hon', I need your love
Yes, I need your love
And now the time has come
For us to join together (Us to join together now)
I hope and I pray
We'll see a better day
Won't you open up your heart (Open up and let love in)
And let me in (Let this lovin' feelin' in)
With this feelin' in my heart (Open up and let love in)
We can last for a lifetime
I need your love, well, more than just an hour
I need your love more than just a day, baby
So hold me close, my love will never falter
I need your love each and every day
Na-na-na-na-na-na, oh, well
Na-na-na-na-na-na, alright
Woo...well
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, alright
The lyrics of Aswad’s “Day By Day” talk about a need for consistent love. The singer is asking for their lover’s love not just for a brief moment but consistently throughout their lives. The singer is certain that this love will never falter, and as such, they are asking their lover to open up their heart to them. They believe that they can overcome any challenges as long as they have each other’s love.
The singer talks about the hope that they’ll join together, pray and see better days. They believe that their relationship will last a lifetime by letting love in and holding each other close every day. This song is a testimony to the power of love in a relationship. Love has the ability to keep people together even during hard times. The song encourages listeners to hold on to the love they have with their significant other.
Line by Line Meaning
I need your love more than just an hour
My need for your love goes beyond brief moments of time
I need your love more than just a day
This strong desire for your love lasts beyond just one day
So hold me close, my love will never falter
Hold me tight, for my love for you will always remain strong and unwavering
I need your love each and every day
My love for you is constant and unrelenting, I need it every single day
Now I want to hear
I desire to listen to
That we can be together
That we are able to unite and be together
Our hopes and our dreams
The aspirations and desires we share
We can see this way
We can envision manifesting our shared hopes and dreams
Won't you open up your heart (Open up and let love in)
Be vulnerable and receptive to love
And let me in (Let this lovin' feelin' in)
Allow me and my love to enter your life
For you and I will never part (Open up and let love in)
Our love will bind us together and keep us from parting
That you should know, so
This fact is important for you to be aware of
Hon', I need your love
I need your love, my dear
And now the time has come
This moment in time has arrived
For us to join together (Us to join together now)
For us to unite and be together
I hope and I pray
I have faith and a strong desire
We'll see a better day
That better times will come for us
With this feelin' in my heart (Open up and let love in)
With this love I feel in my heart
We can last for a lifetime
Our love can endure the test of time
Na-na-na-na-na-na, oh, well
Vocalization indicating happiness and contentment
Na-na-na-na-na-na, alright
Vocalization indicating approval and satisfaction
Woo...well
Vocalization indicating joy and elation
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, well
Vocalization indicating pleasure and contentment
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, alright
Vocalization indicating happiness and approval
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GORDON CHAMBERS, JOHN ALEXANDER, TERRI E. ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William CRAZY LACY Furmage
One the their best tunes, and Aswad has MANY!!
eflmexus
Best of their genre
Zokola Éric Agoua
Yes