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
Weather With You
Aswad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At 57 Mount Pleasant Street
Now it's the same room but everything's different
You can fight the sleep but not the dream
Things ain't cookin' in my kitchen
Strange affliction wash over me
Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire
There's a small boat made of china
Going nowhere on the mantlepiece
Do I lie like a loungeroom lizard
Or do I sing like a bird released
Everywhere you go you always take the weather with you
Everywhere you go you always take the weather
Everywhere you go you always take the weather with you
Everywhere you go you always take the weather,
Take the weather, the weather with you
Everywhere you go you always take the weather with you
Everywhere you go you always take the weather
Everywhere you go you always take the weather with you
Everywhere you go you always take the weather,
Take the weather, the weather with you
Everywhere you go you always take the weather with you
Everywhere you go you always take the weather
Everywhere you go you always take the weather with you
Everywhere you go you always take the weather,
Take the weather, the weather with you
The lyrics of Aswad's song, "Weather With You," speak to the idea that no matter where you go or what you do, you will always have your own "weather" with you - that is to say, your own emotional state that you bring with you wherever you go. The opening lines set the scene in a specific location - 57 Mount Pleasant Street - where the singer is walking around the room singing "Stormy Weather." But even though they are in the same room, everything feels different to them now. They can fight off sleep, but they cannot control their dreams. This suggests a feeling of restlessness or dissatisfaction with their current situation.
The following lines add to this sense of unease, as the singer describes a "strange affliction" that has washed over them. They reference Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire, both symbols of power and conquest, but suggest that even they could not conquer the "blue sky" - a metaphor for the vastness and unpredictability of life. The final stanza brings in a more tangible image, that of a small china boat going nowhere on a mantlepiece. The singer then poses a question - do they want to lie like a "loungeroom lizard" or sing like a "bird released"? These lines suggest a desire for freedom and authenticity, but also a sense of uncertainty about how to achieve it.
Overall, "Weather With You" is a song about the internal weather of our emotions and how it shapes our experiences in life. The lyrics suggest a longing for something more than what one currently has, but also an acknowledgment that this feeling is always with us, no matter where we go.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking 'round the room singing Stormy Weather
Aswad is wandering in a room and humming a tune about the tumultuous weather outside.
At 57 Mount Pleasant Street
The room is on 57 Mount Pleasant Street.
Now it's the same room but everything's different
Despite being in the same room, things feel different than they used to.
You can fight the sleep but not the dream
Aswad may try to stay awake, but dreaming is inevitable.
Things ain't cookin' in my kitchen
There's nothing exciting happening in Aswad's life.
Strange affliction wash over me
Aswad is experiencing a weird feeling.
Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire
No great conqueror, not even Julius Caesar or the Roman Empire, can take control over the weather.
Couldn't conquer the blue sky
The sky remains uncontrollable, unchangeable, and unpredictable, no matter how mighty one is.
There's a small boat made of china
Aswad sees a delicate, fragile boat made of china that's stagnant and going nowhere.
Going nowhere on the mantlepiece
The boat is on the mantlepiece, just a decorative item that serves no purpose.
Do I lie like a loungeroom lizard
Aswad wonders if they should act like a lazy lizard lying on a couch without a care in the world.
Or do I sing like a bird released
Or should Aswad be like a bird that's set free, singing without any inhibition?
Everywhere you go you always take the weather with you
No matter where you go or what you do, you will always have some influence on the atmosphere around you.
Everywhere you go you always take the weather
Wherever you travel, you carry some mood or energy that can impact the situation.
Take the weather, the weather with you
The weather is a metaphor for the impact a person makes in social situations, so take it with you and be aware of your influence.
Contributed by Isaac N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
J J
I have this on repeat, so good!
play list
Yeah love the vibes... from new zealand..