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
Not Satisfied
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Situation is so dread people them baul and hold their heads
Yes now and when they find
Can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must keep on living somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
You see they're not satisfied with the life they're living
And they're not satisfied with the life they're living
Oh they'll never be I know
Problem time like this I've seen youths who've turn to crime
They're looking a way to keep their head above the water
Everyday their hustle still half of the time time
They can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must keep on living somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
How can they let this life go on
When they're not satisfied with the life they're living
You know they'll never be oh no
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
'Cause in a problem time like this I've seen youths who've turn to crime
They're looking a way to keep their head above the water
Everyday them a hustling but half the time
They can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must survive somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
How can they let this life go on
You see they're not satisfied with the life they're living
How can they let
this life go on when they're not satisfied with the life they're living? This is the central message of Aswad's song "Not Satisfied". The song creates an image of the struggles faced by people in difficult situations, where they have to keep going somehow, despite the challenges. The lyrics suggest that some people resort to desperate measures such as turning to crime to make ends meet. The song explores themes of poverty, dissatisfaction with life, and the struggle to survive in a world that is often unjust.
The lyrics also touch upon a societal issue where people are expected to be grateful for what they have, even if their situation is difficult. The words "Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have" imply that there is a cultural pressure on people to be content with what they have, even if their lives are difficult. However, the song challenges this idea by suggesting that people are justified in feeling dissatisfied and that the status quo needs to be changed.
Overall, the lyrics of "Not Satisfied" create a sense of urgency and a call to action, inviting listeners to consider the plight of those who are struggling in society, and to work towards creating a more just and equitable world.
Line by Line Meaning
No, not satisfied no, oh no
The people in this song are not content with their current lives.
Situation is so dread people them baul and hold their heads
The situation is dreadful and the people are afraid and panicking.
Yes now and when they find, can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
Even if they work hard, they can't afford basic necessities to survive.
But they must keep on living somehow, some say they should be grateful for the things they have
Despite the difficulties, they need to continue living, and some people suggest they should focus on their blessings.
It's only them who feels it know's it, knows it right now in this time
Only they understand their struggles and the pain they're going through.
How can they let this life go on, you see they're not satisfied with the life they're living
They're wondering how they'll keep enduring the hardships as they're not satisfied with their current lives.
Oh they'll never be I know
The singer understands that they will never be satisfied with their circumstances.
Problem time like this I've seen youths who've turn to crime
During difficult times like this, people who are struggling may turn to illegal activities to try to survive.
They're looking a way to keep their head above the water
They're trying to find a way to stay afloat and survive.
Everyday their hustle still half of the time time, they can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
Even when they're working hard every day, they still can't make ends meet.
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
The singer is asking for more empathy and compassion for those who are struggling.
But they must survive somehow, some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
Despite the hardships, they must keep going, and some people suggest they should focus on the good things in their lives.
How can they let this life go on, you see they're not satisfied with the life they're living
They're wondering how they'll continue living this way as they're not happy with their current lives.
You know they'll never be oh no
The singer believes they will never be truly satisfied with their circumstances.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGUS GAYE, BRINSLEY FORDE, DENNIS BIDDY, TONY ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Malay Nusantara
Aswad - Not Satisfied
No, not satisfied no, oh no
Situation is so dread people them baul and hold their heads
Yes now and when they find
Can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must keep on living somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
How can they let this life go on
You see they're not satisfied with the life they're living
And they're not satisfied with the life they're living
Oh they'll never be I know
Problem time like this I've seen youths who've turn to crime
They're looking a way to keep their head above the water
Everyday their hustle still half of the time time
They can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must keep on living somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
How can they let this life go on
When they're not satisfied with the life they're living
You know they'll never be oh no
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
'Cause ina problem time like this I've seen youths who've turn to crime
They're looking a way to keep their head above the water
Everyday them a hustling but half the time
They can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must survive somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
How can they let this life go on
You see they're not satisfied with the life they're living
How can they let this life go on
They're not satisfied with the life they're living
How can they let this life go on
They're not satisfied with the life they're living
How can they let this life go on
And they're not satisfied with the life they're living
And they're not satisfied
They're not satisfied
No, not satisfied with the life they're living
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
When you're giving what you're giving
When you're giving all
What you're giving
And it's a promises promises promises
And we won't take no we can; t no no
And when you're giving what you're giving
No no not satisfied
webbsightful
This live album is exactly how they were live when I saw them in San Francisco. The best live performance I ever seen.
Endangered Species
Same here and so did I!👍
Jane Barton
What a Fantastic album.Every track is still great...
Gary Smith
I used to be in a reggae band called EVOLUTION .WE USED TO COVER THEIR SONGS .
john edwards
The whole set is a masterpiece and stands the test of time... seems like only yesterday I was there!
🎲DON WILLIAM & WILSON SHOW🎲
SWEET HARMONY....
👑ASWAD👑
Chris Hirondelle
The album l
Live and Direct is one of the few live albums that manage to capture the energy and atmosphere of a live show. Never saw Aswad but they sound superb. I was turned on to this album by the DJ john peel back in the 80's. Never tire of listening to it.
Malay Nusantara
Aswad - Not Satisfied
No, not satisfied no, oh no
Situation is so dread people them baul and hold their heads
Yes now and when they find
Can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must keep on living somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
How can they let this life go on
You see they're not satisfied with the life they're living
And they're not satisfied with the life they're living
Oh they'll never be I know
Problem time like this I've seen youths who've turn to crime
They're looking a way to keep their head above the water
Everyday their hustle still half of the time time
They can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must keep on living somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
How can they let this life go on
When they're not satisfied with the life they're living
You know they'll never be oh no
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
'Cause ina problem time like this I've seen youths who've turn to crime
They're looking a way to keep their head above the water
Everyday them a hustling but half the time
They can't even make two ends meet hmm hmm
But they must survive somehow
Some say they should be gratefull for the things they have
It's only them who feels it know's it
Know's it right now in this time
How can they let this life go on
You see they're not satisfied with the life they're living
How can they let this life go on
They're not satisfied with the life they're living
How can they let this life go on
They're not satisfied with the life they're living
How can they let this life go on
And they're not satisfied with the life they're living
And they're not satisfied
They're not satisfied
No, not satisfied with the life they're living
When you're giving what you're giving won't cha
When you're giving what you're giving
When you're giving all
What you're giving
And it's a promises promises promises
And we won't take no we can; t no no
And when you're giving what you're giving
No no not satisfied
A De
Malay Nusantara, you left out, and changed some words to this song, but overall YOU DID GOOD........Peacee mon.
Malay Nusantara
Sorry for me mistake man..me just copy it from google and paste it here..thank you man..i love reggae.. :-) peace to all the world