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

Roots Rockin'
Aswad Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Roots...
Roots rocking everyday

I and a Zion daughter is rocking to the dance tonight
Step and do it alright(?)

Roots rocking
Roots rocking

Roots rocking
Roots rocking

Oh no, you'll never let the music stop
I want just one more dance with you
So let the music play on and on, on and on and on
I say I feel vibrations
I wanna know, are you feeling the same way too
Oh little woman, are you?

It's so nice
I wanna feel the same thing twice
It's so nice
I wanna feel the same thing twice

Zion daughters
Roots rocking to the roots reggae
Zion daughters
Roots rocking to the roots reggae

Where ever we go we know the trouble will find us
So pick us above, now woman a leave your worries behind you
Dance to the music, 'cause you know that is fine
Even know a culture though they trying to hide

In day only knew I would feel a when we dance to Jah music
One thing I know is they would love to feel it too
Tonight the feeling is fine
Tonight the feeling alright

So Mr.DJ don't stop the music
I said we're going on the way and we don't want no bus
Morning time comes we'll just get on that fast
No trouble no fuss, I and I

Zion daughters
Roots rocking to the roots reggae
Zion daughters
Roots rocking to the roots reggae

Roots rocking
Roots rocking
Roots rocking
Roots rocking

Roots...
Roots rocking everyday
No matter what they say

Roots...

Roots rocking everyday
No matter what them say

Overall Meaning

The song "Roots Rockin" by Aswad is a classic example of roots reggae music. The lyrics convey the joy and love of music shared between two people at a dance party. The singer, possibly a Rastafarian, is speaking to his lover, a Zion daughter, asking her to dance with him to the reggae rhythms. He is filled with positive vibrations and wants to share that feeling with her. The song tells the story of people dancing together, forgetting their troubles and enjoying the music that they love so much. The "Roots rocking" phrase is a nod to the roots of reggae music and its Jamaican origins.

The singer talks about how troubles will always find them, but they should leave their worries behind and dance to the music. He wants the DJ to keep the music playing all night long, so they can forget about the morning and the end of the party. As the night goes on, the feeling gets better and better, and the music keeps them going.

Overall, the song is a celebration of the positive power of reggae music and how it can bring people together in a joyful way. The lyrics are poetic and insightful, using simple language to convey complex ideas about the emotional effects of music.

Line by Line Meaning

Roots...
Celebrate your cultural heritage and origins through music

Roots rocking everyday
Loving and embracing your cultural roots should be a part of your daily life

I and a Zion daughter is rocking to the dance tonight Step and do it alright(?)
I and a woman from my community are dancing to reggae music tonight and we're going to have a great time

Roots rocking Roots rocking Roots rocking Roots rocking
Continuing to celebrate and express love for cultural roots through music

Oh no, you'll never let the music stop I want just one more dance with you So let the music play on and on, on and on and on I say I feel vibrations I wanna know, are you feeling the same way too Oh little woman, are you?
I'm so into the music and dancing with you that I don't want it to end, and I'm wondering if you're feeling the same way

It's so nice I wanna feel the same thing twice It's so nice I wanna feel the same thing twice
I'm really enjoying myself and the music, and I want to experience this feeling again

Zion daughters Roots rocking to the roots reggae Zion daughters Roots rocking to the roots reggae
Women in the community are celebrating and embracing their cultural roots through dancing to reggae music

Where ever we go we know the trouble will find us So pick us above, now woman a leave your worries behind you Dance to the music, 'cause you know that is fine Even know a culture though they trying to hide
Despite knowing that trouble and problems are inevitable in life, we should still enjoy ourselves and dance to the music, leaving our worries behind. Cultural roots should always be celebrated and preserved, even in a society that tries to suppress them.

In day only knew I would feel a when we dance to Jah music One thing I know is they would love to feel it too Tonight the feeling is fine Tonight the feeling alright
I didn't realize how great it would feel to dance to reggae music, and I know others would feel the same if they tried it. Tonight is about celebrating our cultural roots and enjoying ourselves.

So Mr.DJ don't stop the music I said we're going on the way and we don't want no bus Morning time comes we'll just get on that fast No trouble no fuss, I and I
The DJ better keep playing the music because we're going to keep dancing all night. We don't need anything but the music and the good vibes. No problems or drama, just me and the people in my community enjoying the night.

Roots rocking Roots rocking Roots rocking Roots rocking
Continuing to express love and admiration for cultural roots through music

Roots... Roots rocking everyday No matter what they say
It's important to celebrate and embrace cultural roots every day, despite what others may say or think.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANGUS GAYE, BRINSLEY ALLAN FORDE, TONY ROBINSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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