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
Give a little love
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nothing is-a making sense for me and you
But maybe if we find a way, there is got to be the solution
How to make a brighter day? What do we do?
We've got to give a little love, have a little hope
Let's make this world a little better
Try a little more, harder than before
Only we can make it better
Only if we try
Got the words on our minds, got the troubles on our shoulders
Sometimes it just seems so much what we go through
But maybe if we take the time, time to understand each other
We can learn to make it right, what do we do?
We've got to give a little love, have a little hope
Let's make this world a little better
Try a little more, harder than before
Let's do what we can do together
Only we can make it better
Only if we try
Only we can make it better
Only if we try
If everybody took somebody by the hand
Then maybe everyone could learn to love and understand
We've got to give a little love, have a little hope
Let's make this world a little better
Try a little more, harder than before
Let's do what we can do together
We've got to give a little love, have a little hope
Let's make this world a little better
Try a little more, harder than before
Let's do what we can do together
Only we can make it better
Only if we try
Only we can make it better
Only if we try
Give a little love, give a little love
Give a little love, give a little love
Give a little love
The song "Give A Little Love" by Aswad is a powerful call to action in a world full of confusion and uncertainty. The lyrics draw attention to the daily struggles faced by people across the world and the need for people to come together to bring about change. The song appeals for a brighter future and encourages people to have hope and to be a part of the solution.
The first verse describes the state of chaos and confusion in the world, where nothing seems to make sense. However, the lyrics urge the listeners to find a way to make things better by coming together and working towards a common goal. The chorus emphasizes the importance of love, hope, and trying harder to make the world a better place. The second verse focuses on taking the time to understand each other and make things right. The song concludes with a call to action, urging people to hold hands and learn to love and understand each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Living in this crazy world, so caught up in the confusion
We are all living in a world that is filled with chaos and uncertainty.
Nothing is-a making sense for me and you
We are struggling to understand the things happening around us.
But maybe if we find a way, there is got to be the solution
If we can find a way to work together, we can find a solution.
How to make a brighter day? What do we do?
We need to figure out how we can make the world a better place.
We've got to give a little love, have a little hope
Love and hope are essential to making the world a better place.
Let's make this world a little better
We can make a difference by doing our part to improve the world.
Try a little more, harder than before
We need to put in a little more effort than we have before.
Let's do what we can do together
We are stronger when we work together.
Only we can make it better
We are the only ones who can make the world a better place.
Only if we try
But we need to make an effort.
Got the words on our minds, got the troubles on our shoulders
We are all burdened by problems that weigh on our minds and shoulders.
Sometimes it just seems so much what we go through
The difficulties we face can sometimes feel overwhelming.
But maybe if we take the time, time to understand each other
If we take the time to listen to each other and empathize, we can overcome our differences.
We can learn to make it right, what do we do?
By working together and understanding each other, we can find solutions to our problems.
If everybody took somebody by the hand
We can make a difference if we reach out to each other.
Then maybe everyone could learn to love and understand
Through love and understanding, we can make the world a better place.
Give a little love, give a little love
Love is the key to making the world a better place.
Give a little love, give a little love
We should all strive to give a little love every day.
Give a little love
Let's all do our part to spread love and make the world a better place.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Realsongs
Written by: Albert Louis Hammond, Diane Eve Warren
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Living in this crazy world, so caught up in the confusion
Nothing is-a making sense for me and you
But maybe if we find a way, there is got to be the solution
How to make a brighter day? What do we do?
We’ve got to give a little love, have a little hope
Let’s make this world a little better
Try a little more, harder than before
Let’s do what we can do together
Only we can make it better…
Only if we try…
Got the words on our minds, got the troubles on our shoulders
Sometimes it just seems so much what we go through
But maybe if we take the time, time to understand each other
We can learn to make it right. What do we do?
We’ve got to give a little love, have a little hope
Let’s make this world a little better
Try a little more, harder than before
Let’s do what we can do together
Only we can make it better…
Only if we try…
Only we can make it better…
Only if we try…
If everybody took somebody by the hand
Then maybe everyone could learn to love and understand
We’ve got to give a little love, have a little hope
Let’s make this world a little better
Try a little more, harder than before
Let’s do what we can do together
We’ve got to give a little love, have a little hope
Let’s make this world a little better
Try a little more, harder than before
Let’s do what we can do together
Only we can make it better…
Only if we try…
Only we can make it better…
Only if we try…
Give a little love…
Give a little love…
Give a little love…
Give a little love…
casey g
We use to sing this song in class everyday in elementary....didn't realize how much we need this song! Big chune aswad! Mahalo from hawaii 🤙
Lucival Guedes
Verdade Amigo essa música é maravilhosa sou do Brazil 🇧🇷
Hank Nomadwayi
My goodness i love this group, 30 years almost banging their tunes. R.I.P to the sweetest voice, Drummie Zeb 🕊️🕊️
dyke greene
Such good music.
Thanks Aswad. Rip Drummie
lmtenn2
What a fabulous song....Thank you Aswad...the world needs to live this.....
Lucival Guedes
Verdade Amigo One love
John Thomson
Fabulous song by an underrated group
Just love it!!
dawn Empress
Brilliance the whole life of Aswad ❤💛💚👑RIP ZEB 🙏 🕊 🕺🏾🥁🎤🔥🎵🎶🎩🔥
Rudolph C
WOW! OVER 25 YEARS, BRING BACK SWEET MEMORIES.
MnCAlapati415
It's a must to see these guys in concert. AWSOME VIBES!!. Especially with "medicine" smoke all through out the air...