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
Stir It Up
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on and stir it up: little darlin, stir it up. o-oh!
Its been a long, long time, yeah!
(stir it, stir it, stir it together)
Since I got you on my mind. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) oh-oh!
Now you are here (stir it, stir it, stir it together), I said,
Its so clear
Just me and you.
Come on and stir it up; ..., little darlin!
Stir it up; come on, baby!
Come on and stir it up, yeah!
Little darlin, stir it up! o-oh!
Ill push the wood (stir it, stir it, stir it together),
Then I blaze ya fire;
Then Ill satisfy your hearts desire. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Said, I stir it every (stir it, stir it, stir it together),
Every minute:
All you got to do, baby, (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Is keep it in, eh!
(stir it up) oh, little darlin,
Stir it up; ..., baby!
Come on and stir it up, oh-oh-oh!
Little darlin, stir it up! wo-oh! mm, now, now.
Quench me when Im thirsty;
Come on and cool me down, baby, when Im hot. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Your recipe is, - darlin - is so tasty,
When you show and stir your pot. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
So: stir it up, oh!
Little darlin, stir it up; wo, now!
Come on and stir it up, oh-ah!
Little darlin, stir it up!
---
/guitar solo/
---
Oh, little darlin, stir it up. come on, babe!
Come on and stir it up, wo-o-a!
Little darlin, stir it up! stick with me, baby!
Come on, come on and stir it up, oh-oh!
Little darlin, stir it up.fadeout/
The lyrics to Aswad's song "Stir It Up" is essentially an invitation to a lover to ignite their passion and memories of relationships past, as the singer has the object of their affection back in their life. With the repeated chorus, "stir it up, little darlin, stir it up," the implication is to ignite that passion and desire that has perhaps slipped away over time. The verses deal with the singer's realization that there is so much they can do together and their willingness to do whatever is necessary to excite and ignite their love. The "wood" and "fire" metaphors imply a sense of masculinity and control that the singer is willing to use to satisfy their lover's desires. The lyrics are a reminder that even in long-term relationships, the passion can be reignited with some effort and willingness.
Line by Line Meaning
Stir it up; little darlin, stir it up. come on, baby.
Encouraging the subject to take control of their life and shake things up.
Come on and stir it up: little darlin, stir it up. o-oh!
Further encouragement to take control and make changes in life.
Its been a long, long time, yeah! (stir it, stir it, stir it together) Since I got you on my mind. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) oh-oh!
It has been a while since the subject has felt passionate about something, and they are ready to reignite that spark with action and change.
Now you are here (stir it, stir it, stir it together), I said, Its so clear Theres so much we could do, baby, (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Just me and you.
With the help of the subject's partner, they can accomplish a great deal and make positive changes.
Ill push the wood (stir it, stir it, stir it together), Then I blaze ya fire; Then Ill satisfy your hearts desire. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Said, I stir it every (stir it, stir it, stir it together), Every minute: All you got to do, baby, (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Is keep it in, eh!
Metaphorically speaking, the subject's passion is akin to building a fire, and they will fan the flames to satisfy their desires. The subject is telling their partner that all they need to do is support them while they work towards their goals.
(stir it up) oh, little darlin, Stir it up; ..., baby! Come on and stir it up, oh-oh-oh! Little darlin, stir it up! wo-oh! mm, now, now.
Continued encouragement to keep taking action and not give up.
Quench me when Im thirsty; Come on and cool me down, baby, when Im hot. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) Your recipe is, - darlin - is so tasty, When you show and stir your pot. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Asking the subject's partner to support and refresh them when they are tired, and to continue to contribute to their goals.
So: stir it up, oh! Little darlin, stir it up; wo, now! Come on and stir it up, oh-ah! Little darlin, stir it up!
Reiterating the need to keep stirring the pot and taking action.
/guitar solo/
Musical break in the song.
Oh, little darlin, stir it up. come on, babe! Come on and stir it up, wo-o-a! Little darlin, stir it up! stick with me, baby! Come on, come on and stir it up, oh-oh! Little darlin, stir it up.
Final push to keep taking action with help from the subject's partner.
fadeout
Song fades out to silence.
Contributed by Alyssa S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Keith Dawson
The best cover I have heard of that song ever!
Pepe Tuisaili
Stir It Up Lyrics
(Ch)
Stir it up; little darlin, stir it up. come on, baby
Come on and stir it up: little darlin, stir it up. o-oh!
(Vs)
Its been a long, long time,
Since I had you on my mind.
Now you are here
Its so clear
To see what we could do, baby,
Only me and you
Come on and stir it up; ..., little darlin!
Stir it up; come on, baby!
Come on and stir it up, yeah!
Little darlin, stir it up! o-oh!
Ill push the wood (stir it, stir it, stir it together)
Then I blaze ya fire;
Then Ill satisfy your hearts desire. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Said, I stir it every (stir it, stir it, stir it together)
Every minute:
All you got to do, baby, (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Is keep it in, eh!
(stir it up) oh, little darlin
Stir it up; ..., baby!
Come on and stir it up, oh-oh-oh!
Little darlin, stir it up! wo-oh! mm, now, now
Quench me when Im thirsty;
Come on and cool me down, baby, when Im hot. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
Your recipe is, - darlin - is so tasty
When you show and stir your pot. (ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
So: stir it up, oh!
Little darlin, stir it up; wo, now!
Come on and stir it up, oh-ah!
Little darlin, stir it up!
---
/guitar solo/
---
Oh, little darlin, stir it up. come on, babe!
Come on and stir it up, wo-o-a!
Little darlin, stir it up! stick with me, baby!
Come on, come on and stir it up, oh-oh!
Little darlin, stir it up
emperorrocker
Big tune Aswad
Night Nurse
Gudeh aswad from all a we down here in Manchester England bless xx wheel it