Aswad ("Black" in Arabic) are a long-lasting British reggae group, noted fo… Read Full Bio ↴Aswad ("Black" in Arabic) are a long-lasting British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B, soul, and soca influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the early 1970s, and have released a total of twenty-one albums.

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

Ghetto In The Sky
Aswad Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Many African children
Living in a concrete situation
African children
Living in a concrete situation
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
African children
Down there yes in a concrete situation

African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
The whole of the nation
Living in these tenements
Crying and applying to their council
For assistance every day
Now that their tribulation so sad
Now that their environment so bad
High rise concrete
No back yard for their children to play
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
African children
In a concrete situation
African children
Wonder do they know where you're coming from
All of the nation are living in these tenements
Precast stonewall concrete cubicals
Their rent increases each and every other day
Structural repairs are assessed yet not done
Lift out of action on the twenty-seventh floor
And when they work they smell
African children
Living in a concrete situation
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
African children
Living in a concrete situation
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
African children
Down there down there in a concrete situation
African children
Wonder do they know where you're coming from
Where you're coming from
African children

Many African children
Living in a concrete situation
African children
Living in a concrete situation
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
African children
Down there yes in a concrete situation
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
The whole of the nation
Living in these tenements
Crying and applying to their council
For assistance every day
Now that their tribulation so sad
Now that their environment so bad
High rise concrete
No back yard for their children to play
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
African children
In a concrete situation
African children
Wonder do they know where you're coming from
All of the nation are living in these tenements
Precast stonewall concrete cubicals
Their rent increases each and every other day
Structural repairs are assessed yet not done
Lift out of action on the twenty-seventh floor
And when they work they smell
African children
Living in a concrete situation
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
African children
Living in a concrete situation
African children
I wonder do they know where you're coming from
African children
Down there down there in a concrete situation
African children
Wonder do they know where you're coming from
Where you're coming from
African children

Sometimes wanting to party late into the night
And when they're out of sight
The neighbours' complaining again
And its a place where

You don't even know your neighbour's name
It's a ghetto in the sky

Overall Meaning

The song "Ghetto in the Sky" by Aswad sheds light on the plight of African children living in concrete tenements. The lyrics are a poignant reflection on the harsh reality of their environment and the struggles they face each day. The repetitive use of the phrase "African children" is a call to recognize the identity and humanity of each child despite their challenging living situation. The lines "I wonder do they know where you're coming from" and "wonder do they know where you're coming from" are repeated to express the artist's concern about the children's roots and if they know their cultural heritage, given their seemingly difficult circumstances.

The song speaks of the dilapidated state of the buildings with "structural repairs are assessed yet not done" and "lift out of action on the twenty-seventh floor." The addition of the phrase "sometimes wanting to party late into the night" not only highlights the carefree spirit of youth but also the reality of noise complaints and lack of community in such an environment, where residents are often isolated from each other. The lyric "It's a ghetto in the sky" is a simple yet powerful line that sums up the song and refers to the high-rise concrete tenements that are the backdrop of the African children's lives.

Overall, "Ghetto in the Sky" is an emotional and thought-provoking commentary on the living conditions of African children in urban locations. It highlights their resilience and courage in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

Many African children
There are many children of African descent

Living in a concrete situation
They live in apartment complexes made of concrete

African children
Children of African descent

Living in a concrete situation
Again, they live in apartment complexes made of concrete

African children
Once more, children of African descent

I wonder do they know where you're coming from
I question if they are aware of their cultural heritage and ancestral origins

African children
Children of African descent

Down there yes in a concrete situation
Yes, they live in these concrete apartment complexes

African children
Yet again, children of African descent

I wonder do they know where you're coming from
Once again, I question if they are aware of their cultural heritage and ancestral origins

The whole of the nation
All people in the country

Living in these tenements
Living in overcrowded apartments

Crying and applying to their council
Asking their local government for help

For assistance every day
Every day they need help

Now that their tribulation so sad
Their struggles are so unfortunate

Now that their environment so bad
Their living conditions are poor

High rise concrete
Tall apartment buildings made of concrete

No back yard for their children to play
There is no outdoor area for children to play

African children
Children of African descent again

I wonder do they know where you're coming from
As before, I question if they know their cultural heritage and ancestral origins

African children
Children of African descent once more

In a concrete situation
They are living in concrete apartment complexes

African children
Another instance of children of African descent

Wonder do they know where you're coming from
Once more, the question is raised if they recognize their cultural heritage and ancestral origins

All of the nation are living in these tenements
Everyone in the country is living in these cramped apartments

Precast stonewall concrete cubicals
Buildings made of precast stone and concrete

Their rent increases each and every other day
Their rent keeps going up almost every day

Structural repairs are assessed yet not done
The buildings are evaluated for repairs, but repairs are not being done

Lift out of action on the twenty-seventh floor
The elevator is out of order on the 27th floor

And when they work they smell
Even when the elevator is functioning, there is an unpleasant odor

African children
Children of African descent again

Living in a concrete situation
They continue living in these concrete apartment complexes

African children
Again, children of African descent

I wonder do they know where you're coming from
The question is still present if they know their cultural heritage and ancestral origins

African children
Once again, children of African descent

Living in a concrete situation
They are still living in concrete apartment complexes

African children
Yet again, children of African descent

Wonder do they know where you're coming from
Again, the question is posed if they are aware of their cultural heritage and ancestral origins

Where you're coming from
This refers to their cultural heritage and ancestral origins

African children
Children of African descent for a final time

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DENNIS BIDDY, BRINSLEY FORDE, ANGUS GAYE, TONY ROBINSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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