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
Lifted
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ache and pain and the April showers
But it ain't long before I long for you, like a
Ray of hope, coming through the blue moon
When it all gets dark again
The whole thing falls apart I guess
It doesn't really matter 'bout the rain
We'll get up and start again
'cause we could be Lifted, Lifted, Lifted
We could be Lifted
From the shadows, lifted
Oh we could be, lifted up today
Lifted all the way, you and I forever
Baby, lifted, lifted, lifted, hey
It's undisturbable the peace we found
In a bright new space up above the clouds
Everything is understandable
You don't have to say anything too loud
When all our luck runs out again
We're brought back down to solid ground
I wouldn't say I'm mad about the rain
But we'll get through it anyway
We'll get back to the start again
'cause we could be lifted, lifted, lifted
We could be lifted
From the shadows, lifted
Oh we could be, lifted up today
Lifted all the way, you and I forever
Baby, lifted, we could be lifted, we could be lifted, hey
We could be lifted, we could be lifted, we could be lifted
You and I forever
We could be lifted, we could be lifted, yeah we could be lifted
We could be lifted up to new horizons
Lifted, lifted up today, lifted all the way, yeah we could be lifted
We could be lifted, from the shadows, we could be lifted
Lifted upto new horizons
When it all gets dark again, it doesn't really matter 'bout the rain
When it all gets dark again, it doesn't really matter 'bout the rain
The song "Lifted" by Aswad is a testament to the power of love and the way it can lift us up when we are feeling low. The lyrics express a desire to be free from the pain and sadness that life can bring, but also a recognition that it is impossible to do so completely. Instead, the song suggests that we can find hope and light in the midst of darkness and difficulty, through the support and love of another person.
The opening lines speak of the desire to be alone and free from pain, but also the inevitability of longing for someone we care about. The metaphor of a ray of hope coming through the blue moon is a powerful image of how love can feel like a rare and special occurrence, something that feels almost magical in its ability to bring light to our lives. The chorus repeats the word "lifted" several times, emphasizing the idea that love can lift us out of darkness and into a brighter future.
The second verse continues the theme of finding peace in love, describing a bright new space "up above the clouds" where everything is understandable and we don't have to speak too loud. This suggests that in the context of a loving relationship, we can find a deeper level of understanding and connection that doesn't require words. The bridge of the song reinforces the message that even when things get tough, we can always start again and find a way to be lifted up once more.
Overall, "Lifted" is a song that celebrates the power of love to uplift and transform our lives. Its message is one of hope and perseverance, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, there is always a way to find the light.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd really love to be alone without all the ache and pain and the April showers
The singer desires solitude, free from emotional and physical discomforts and hardships
But it ain't long before I long for you, like a ray of hope, coming through the blue moon
However, the singer realizes that they cannot go very long without craving the company of the person they love, whose presence brings hope and light into their life
When it all gets dark again, the whole thing falls apart I guess
The singer acknowledges that when things become difficult and overwhelming, everything seems to break down
It doesn't really matter 'bout the rain, 'cause we'll get through it anyway
Despite the hardships, the artist remains optimistic and hopeful, believing that they will overcome any adversity with their loved one by their side
We'll get up and start again
The artist expresses their determination to continue moving forward and never give up, no matter how many times they fall or face challenges
It's undisturbable the peace we found in a bright new space up above the clouds
The singer reflects on the deep sense of peace and tranquility they have discovered in a new, ideal place that is far removed from their past struggles
Everything is understandable, you don't have to say anything too loud
In this new space, communication between the singer and their loved one is effortless and natural, without the need for excessive words or explanation
When all our luck runs out again, we're brought back down to solid ground
Even though things may go wrong again, the artist recognizes that they will always have to face reality, no matter how difficult it might be
But we'll get through it anyway, we'll get back to the start again
Despite the setbacks, the artist remains resolute and hopeful, believing that they can overcome any obstacle and return to a place where they can start anew
'Cause we could be lifted, lifted, lifted, we could be lifted
The artist emphasizes the possibility of being lifted up, rising above their struggles and finding a better, brighter future
From the shadows, lifted, oh we could be lifted up today
They specifically mention moving out of the darkness and into the light, lifted up to a new, better day filled with hope and possibility
Lifted all the way, you and I forever, baby, lifted, lifted, lifted, hey
The artist underscores the importance of their loved one in achieving this transformation, emphasizing the need for unity and commitment in becoming completely lifted and free from their hardships
We could be lifted up to new horizons
The singer envisions a future where they can break free from their past and explore new possibilities and opportunities that were previously beyond their reach
When it all gets dark again, it doesn't really matter 'bout the rain
The singer repeats their message of resilience and optimism, declaring that even when things seem bleak and difficult, they can still overcome any obstacle as long as they remain steadfast in their commitment to each other
Contributed by Cooper G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Patricia Wilson
Drummie!!!