Born in Kingston, Jamaica, as a youngster, Barrington Levy formed the Mighty Multitude with his cousin Everton Dacres. They started off playing the sound systems and cut their first single, “My Black Girl,” in 1977. All of 14, Levy broke out his own the next year and recorded his debut solo single, A Long Time Since We Don’t Have No Love.” It didn’t have much of an impact, however the teen’s appearances in the dancehalls were eagerly awaited events. It was at one of these that Levy met former singer turned producer Junjo Lawes and Mew York-based producer Hyman “Jah Life” Wright. The pair took the youth into King Tubby’s studio, accompanied by the Roots Radics, and recorded a clutch of cuts. The first fruits of this union were “Ah Yah We Deh,” quickly followed by “Looking My Love”, and “ Wedding Ring Aside.” Success was immediate, but it was the mighty “Collie Weed” that really cemented the teen’s hold of dancehall.
“Shine Eye Girl”, was a smash follow up, and the young Levy was now in great demand. A stream of singles followed “Jumpy Girl”, a lovely version of Horace Andy’s “Skylarking”, “Reggae Music”, Levy joined forces with producer Alvin Ranglin for another sting of hits—“Never Tear My Love Apart,” “Jah”, “You Made Me So Happy,” and “When You’re Young and in Love.”Levy’s rich vocals were made for duets, both with other vocalists and DJ’s , and it wasn’t long before the young star was also recording collaborative singles. Toyan was a great foil on “Call You on the Phone””, he paired with Jah Thomas on “Moonlight Lover” and “Sister Debby”, and joined forces with Trinity for “Lose Respect” and a follow-up, “I Need a Girl” in 1980. That same year, Levy made a sensational appearance at Reggae Sunsplash, then returned in 1981. During these early years, the singer seemingly spent all of his time between the recording studios and the dancehalls. Amidst the deluge of singles, four albums arrived as well between 1979 and 1980. First up was Bounty Hunter, which boosted three smash singles—“Reggae Music”, “Shine Eye Girl”, and “Looking My Love” –and a clutch of other tracks that were just about as good. In Britain, the Burning Sounds label released Shine Eye Gal, also a hits heavy package which included the title track-track, “Collie Weed”, and “Ah Yah We Deh.” It was swiftly followed by the mighty Englishman, an absolutely fabulous record which was overseen by the unbeatable studio grouping of Junjo Lawes and two of King Tubby’s protégés—Scientist and Prince Jammy. A veteran of the clubs, he brought the spontaneity of the DJ to his records while returning vocals back to the sound system scene which had been purely the realm of the Djs. Utilizing old roots rhythms revitalized by the Radics, and giving the songs a hard, but danceable edge, Lawes and Levy together helped establish a whole new dancehall sound.
1980’s Robin Hood merely affirmed that everyone in Jamaica already knew: That Levy was now the biggest star on t he island, with a talent that was unbeatable. Or more accurately, he was king of the singers, because ruling beside him was DJ Yellowman, another Lawes’ discovery, that was brought to him by Barrington Levy. Robin Hood was as big as its predecessor and was beginning to have an impact in Britain as well, where both it and Englishman had been released by the Greensleeves label. Not surprisingly, both albums heavy rhythms would provide the building blocks for the Scientist V Prince Jammy dub clash album. Unfortunately, Levy’s very popularity was now beginning to have some serious drawbacks. Even before stardom arrived, the singer had noticed with delight fans tapping his sets at the dancehalls, and these tapes were coming back to haunt him. Suddenly, the shelves were buckling under the weight of the bootlegged albums, featuring not just older pirated live material, but also unreleased outtakes and recycled older singles. In response, Levy didn’t release a new album for two years, but in the meantime, new singles more then made up for it. From 1980 came such hits as the haunting Lawes-produced “Mary Long Tongue” producer Linval Thompson’s “Too Poor,” and a string if hits cut with Karl Pitterson, including “ I Have a Problem” and “Even Tide Fire a Disaster”. And as the decade progressed, the flood hits continued. “I’m Not in Love”, “You Have It”, “Tomorrow Is Another Day”, “Robberman”, “BlackRose” “My Women”, and “Money Move” were just a small number of the hits released between 1981 and 1983, with the latter song the biggest smash of the batch. Levy even tried his hand at self-production, recording such excellent songs as “In the Dark” and “Love of Jah.” Amongst there were fabulous singles recorded for Joe Gibbs, “My Women” included. The Reggae Vibes album would bundle up Levy’s best with the producer, s well a number of cuts from fellow dancehall singer Sammy Dread.
1983 finally saw the release of Levy album “Money Move”. The latter was excellently overseen by George Phang and boasted a stupendous group of rhythms that Sly & Robbie had specifically made for the producer. In the U.K, the burning sounds label also released Hunter Man, a greatest-hits collection. But the hits were still coming on strong; in 1984 none were bigger then Levy and Jah Screw produced “Under Mi Sensi.” The pair would also record a new album that year, Here I come, whose title-track would the top 50 in the U.K The album itself took Britain by storm and ensured that Levy walked away with the best Vocalist Award at Britain’s Reggae Awards. It was also these songs that secured his spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the first reggae artist to hold both 1st and 2nd place slots in the charts. The same year, the singer also joined forces with another young singer who was tearing up the dance floors, Frankie Paul, for the intriguing sound clash set Barrington Levy meets Frankie Paul. 1985 brought Prison Oval Rock (the Volcano Jamaican label release, and not to be confused with the RAS label’s U.S. compilation of the same title), which found the singer joining forces with Lawes again, for another roots-fired set equal to its predecessors. It had been six years since Levy burst onto the scene with all the force of a nuclear weapon. Now in his early twenties, the singer’s output significantly began to slow. He did return to Reggae Sunsplash in 1987 and would remain a top attraction at the festival until 1985. He also released “Love the Life you Live” in 1988, a rather patchy effort compared to previous releases. It was to be his last new album until 1991.But Levy wasn’t a spent force yet. Before the 80’s were over, he scored tow more hits with “My Time” and “Too Experience”, both under the aegis of producer Jah Screw, and both covers of songs written by Bob Andy (ex-Paragons and also of Bob & Marcia fame).
Signing with MCA in t he U.S., Levy attempted to cross over into the North American market with 1983’s Barrington. Produced by Lee Jaffe, the Album featured a re-recorded “Under Mi Sensi”, and boasted strong songs as “Murderer” and “Vice Versa Love” and “Be Strong”, a major hit in the Caribbean and South America. However, the relationship with MCA was not a happy one and Levy quickly departed. Meanwhile, back in Britain, the singer was chalking up another hit with “Work”. In 1994, Levy was joined by Beenie man on the singles “Two Sounds” and “Murderer”. Both soon reappeared as fiery jungles remixes, with “Sensi”, in particular, mashing up the dance floors.
Under Jack Scorpio’s direction, the singer next paired with Mega Banton for “She’s Mine”. Jah Screw took these collaborations to the next logical step, and recorded an entire album and recorded and entire album of shared songs, Duets (this is its American title and it was released in the U.s. by RAS, and in the U.K., Levy’s relationship with Greensleeves continued, where the album there was titled Barrington Levy’s DJ Counteraction). From this set, “Living Dangerously” with Bounty Killer rocketed up the Jamaican charts and set pace at clubs around the world . Time Capsule came hot on its heels in 1996, a short album (a mere eight tracks plus five dubs), which more than made up for lack of quantity with quality.Over the next two years, his circle of friends was obviously growing, and 1998’s re-make of “Murderer” featured such diverse artists as rap master Snoop Doggy Dogg and Southern California punk-reggae heroes Long Beach Dub All-Stars. In 2003, his debut album Bounty Hunter was reordered and reissued as Moonlight Lover on the Burning Bush label. Two years later, the Sanctuary label collected his recordings with Henry Lawes and Alvin Ranglin for “Love Your Brother man: The Early Tear”. Numerous compilations have continued to appear featuring much of the singer’s greatest work.He was also featured in 2000 on rapper on Shyne’s debut album “Bad Boyz”, with two singles “Bad Boyz” which was number 1 on the hip-hop charts, and “Bonnie and Shynz.
Barrington Levy continues to tour extensively, selling out shows all over the world. He is currently working in an album which will be titled “Its About Time” and he has said it will be his last. This album will feature artist like Damion Marley, Buji Banton, Beres Hammond, Heavy D and a lot more surprises. He expresses love and appreciation to all his fans across the world, and looks forward to seeing you in future events.
Levy's son Krishane is also a musician, and is signed to Atlantic Records.
Living Dangerously
Barrington Levy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lawd a mercy
Lawd a mercy (Oooh who)
Man a cerasee (Yeah)
Umman yuh livin too dangerous (Uh yay)
Too dangerous
Too dangerous
Umman a live dangerous (Cho!)
Little rumor last night
Rumor last night
Somebody told me you weren't doing me right
She wasn't doin' me right
Doin' me right (Right)
While I've been turning my back,
You've been out playing the field
She jus playing the field
Playing the field
Can you look me in the eyes and say to me its not real
Girl that could not be real
Couldn't be real
That's all I wanted to know (Just wanna know, girl)
That look is giving you away (Give it away, give it away now - She was a ((better)) Gal)
An I'll never believe in a single word you say (I'll never believe yuh girl)
You're living dangerously
Umman yuh living too dangerous for me
You're living dangerously
Is it me or Barrington Levy
Living dangerously
Gal yuh living too dangerous for me
(Lawd a mercy, Hey!)
Girl yuh livin too dangerous (Hoy!)
Better yuh give it up (Girl)
Yuh never stop until yuh pass di maximum line
Well now yuh know too much
I need a relationship
An not a war
Imagine fi see yuh woman inna man car
Tell me what yuh gonna think of her
She an man a drink outta one glass inna bar
Make man a rob tings
From mi cookie jar
Gal open up yuh eyes ((tell)) man look far
As yuh look up to the moon
And the pretty stars
Thinking me out like I am in Mars
Well that's all I can take (Lawd a mercy)
Can't let you outta my sight ((Duggama?)) sight)
An I wouldn't ((jump)) back in your life
For one more night (Not a second, girl)
You're living dangerously (Well!)
Gal yuh living too dangerous for me
You're living dangerously
Well if its me or Barrington Levy (Talk!)
Living dangerously
Gal yuh living too dangerous for me
(Well!)
Girl yuh livin too dangerous (Hoy!)
Better yuh give it up (Girl)
Yuh never stop until yuh pass di maximum line
Well now yuh know too much
Gal yuh betta look inna yuh life
Stop flirt
A warm sidewalk
When yuh ((shouldn't-a)) work A wash up yuh plate
Or wash a man shirt
The bag a friendship
Business naw gon work
Yuh think its me or your friends dem
It going to hurt
When me get upset
An mi just ((splurt))
Yuh a walk pon di road
An alla wheel up yuh skirt
Dat not gon put one shilling
Inna yuh purse
Better yuh baptize
An gwaan inna church
And pray to God
An put him first (Girl, hey!)
Living dangerously
Well gal yuh living too dangerous for me
Living dangerously
Well if its me or Barrington Levy (Talk!)
Living dangerously
Gal yuh living too dangerous for we
Dangerously (Lawd a mercy)
Naw change your ways (Lawd a mercy, Lawd a mercy)
Dangerously (Too dangerous, too dangerous)
Naw change your ways
The song "Living Dangerously" by Barrington Levy features the artist expressing his concerns over his partner's actions which he perceives as dangerous to their relationship. The chorus emphasizes this sentiment as he asserts that the woman is living too dangerously for his comfort. He heard rumors the previous night indicating that the woman is not faithful to him, exhibiting promiscuous behavior instead. She is playing the field while he is turning his back. The artist asks if the woman can look him in the eyes and say that it is not true. He adds that her look gives her away, and he cannot believe in a single word she says.
In the second verse, Levy emphasizes further his discomfort with his partner's behaviors. He asks her to give up her dangerous ways and seeks a relationship rather than a war. He notes that he saw her in a man's car, and they drank from the same glass. He warns the woman that if he gets upset, she would get hurt. He also notes that she spends time engaging in unproductive activities such as flirting rather than working.
Line by Line Meaning
Lawd a mercy
Expressing shock or surprise about a situation or behavior.
Man a cerasee (Yeah)
Asking or addressing a man who is drinking a type of traditional medicine.
Umman yuh livin too dangerous (Uh yay)
Expressing concern about a woman's risky behavior.
Too dangerous
Reiterating how dangerous the woman's behavior is.
Umman a live dangerous (Cho!)
Concluding that the woman is indeed living a dangerous life.
Oooh woman I heard a little rumor last night
Admitting to hearing a rumor about the woman.
Little rumor last night
Addressing what was heard in the aforementioned rumor.
Rumor last night
Reiterating that the rumor was heard only the previous night.
Somebody told me you weren't doing me right
Explaining what the rumor was about.
She wasn't doin' me right
Clarifying that the woman was not acting appropriately.
Doin' me right (Right)
Reiterating that the woman was not fulfilling her obligations or acting with honesty.
While I've been turning my back,
Implies that the man was not paying attention.
You've been out playing the field
Explaining what the woman was doing while the man was turned away.
She jus playing the field
Further clarifying that the woman was not only engaging in suspicious behavior, but was actively playing the field.
Playing the field
Reiterating that the woman was dating multiple people.
Can you look me in the eyes and say to me its not real
Asking the woman to confirm that the rumors are not true.
Girl that could not be real
Declaring that the woman's response was not genuine.
Couldn't be real
Reiterating that the woman's answer was not truthful.
That's all I wanted to know (Just wanna know, girl)
Expressing that the man only wanted to know the truth.
That look is giving you away (Give it away, give it away now - She was a ((better)) Gal)
Pointing out that the woman's facial expressions are revealing her dishonesty.
An I'll never believe in a single word you say (I'll never believe yuh girl)
Declaring that the man will never be able to trust the woman's words again.
Girl yuh livin too dangerous (Hoy!)
Once again expressing concern for the woman's risky behavior.
Better yuh give it up (Girl)
Encouraging the woman to stop engaging in dangerous activities.
Yuh never stop until yuh pass di maximum line
Implying that the woman always goes too far and crosses a line.
Well now yuh know too much
Stating that the woman knows too much about the man and his feelings.
I need a relationship
Expressing that the man wants a serious, committed relationship.
An not a war
Clarifying that the man does not want a tumultuous or argumentative relationship.
Imagine fi see yuh woman inna man car
Asking the woman to imagine how the man would feel if he saw her in another man's car.
Tell me what yuh gonna think of her
Asking the woman what she thinks the man would think of her if he saw her with another man.
She an man a drink outta one glass inna bar
Imagining a scenario in which the woman is sharing a drink with another man in a bar.
Make man a rob tings
Implying that the woman's behavior may lead to others acting dishonestly or immorally.
From mi cookie jar
Clarifying that the man's personal belongings or valuables might be stolen.
Gal open up yuh eyes ((tell)) man look far
Encouraging the woman to be more aware of what is happening around her and think about the consequences.
As yuh look up to the moon
Encouraging the woman to think more deeply about her life.
And the pretty stars
Further emphasizing the importance of introspection.
Thinking me out like I am in Mars
Reflecting that the woman is not considering how her actions are affecting the man.
Well that's all I can take (Lawd a mercy)
Expressing that the man has reached his limit and can no longer tolerate the woman's behavior.
Can't let you outta my sight ((Duggama?)) sight)
Declaring the man's intention to closely monitor the woman's actions.
An I wouldn't ((jump)) back in your life
Asserting that the man would not want to repeat the relationship.
For one more night (Not a second, girl)
Clarifying that the man would not want to resume the fraught relationship even for a brief moment.
Gal yuh living too dangerous for me
Once again expressing concern for the woman's risky behavior.
Talk!
Asking the woman to respond.
Gal yuh living too dangerous for we
Reflecting that the woman's actions are affecting others.
Better yuh give it up (Girl)
Encouraging the woman to stop engaging in dangerous activities.
Yuh never stop until yuh pass di maximum line
Reiterating that the woman always goes too far and crosses a line.
Gal yuh betta look inna yuh life
Encouraging the woman to reflect on her life.
Stop flirt
Advising the woman to stop flirting with others.
A warm sidewalk
Implying that the woman is engaging in meaningless, unfulfilling activities.
When yuh ((shouldn't-a)) work A wash up yuh plate
Implying that the woman is neglecting her responsibilities.
Or wash a man shirt
Further emphasizing that the woman is prioritizing meaningless activities over fulfilling her obligations.
The bag a friendship
Implying that the woman has too many superficial or meaningless friendships.
Business naw gon work
Asserting that the woman's behavior is likely to undermine her professional or financial success.
Yuh think its me or your friends dem
Asking the woman whether she is prioritizing the relationship or her friendships.
It going to hurt
Clarifying that the consequences of the woman's behavior will be painful.
When me get upset
Marijuana use, used to cope with the pain or disappointment associated with the woman's behavior.
An mi just ((splurt))
Implying that the man may react impulsively or erratically if he finds out more about the woman's behavior.
Yuh a walk pon di road
Admonishing the woman for behaving recklessly in public.
An alla wheel up yuh skirt
Further admonishing the woman for behaving in a way that is too revealing or embarrassing.
Dat not gon put one shilling
Emphasizing that the woman's behavior will not bring her any financial gain or security.
Inna yuh purse
Further clarifying that the woman's behavior will not provide her with any financial benefit.
Better yuh baptize
Encouraging the woman to become more religious or spiritual.
An gwaan inna church
Encouraging the woman to become more involved in religious or spiritual communities.
And pray to God
Encouraging the woman to reflect on her relationship with God.
An put him first (Girl, hey!)
Encouraging the woman to prioritize her relationship with God before anything else.
Naw change your ways (Lawd a mercy, Lawd a mercy)
Implying that the woman needs to make significant changes to her behavior in order to have healthier relationships.
Too dangerous
Reiterating the dangerous nature of the woman's behavior.
Naw change your ways
Reiterating that the woman needs to change her behavior in order to have healthier relationships.
Contributed by Scarlett D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
El Canal de Santash
Lyrics
Lawd a mercy
Lawd a mercy
Lawd a mercy (Oooh who)
Man a cerasee (Yeah)
Umman yuh livin too dangerous (Uh yay)
Too dangerous
Too dangerous
Umman a live dangerous (Cho!)
[Verse 1: Barrington Levy (Bounty Killer)]
Oooh woman I heard a little rumor last night
(Little rumor last night, rumor last night)
Somebody told me you weren't doing me right
(She wasn't doin' me right, doin' me right)
While I've been turning my back,
You've been out playing the field
(She jus playing the field, playing the field)
Can you look me in the eyes and say to me it's not real
(Girl that could not be real, couldn't be real)
That's all I wanted to know (Just wanna know, girl)
That look is giving you away (Give it away, give it away now - She was a {better} Gal)
An I'll never believe in a single word you say (I'll never believe yuh girl)
[Chorus:]
[Barrington Levy:] You're living dangerously
[Bounty Killer:] Umman yuh living too dangerous for me
[Barrington Levy:] You're living dangerously
[Bounty Killer:] Is it me or Barrington Levy
[Barrington Levy:] Living dangerously
[Bounty Killer:] Gal yuh living too dangerous for me, Lawd a mercy, Hey
[Verse 2: Bounty Killer]
Girl yuh livin too dangerous (Hoy!)
Better yuh give it up (Girl)
Yuh never stop until yuh pass di maximum line
Well now yuh know too much
I need a relationship
An not a war
Imagine fi see yuh woman inna man car
Tell me what yuh gonna think of her
She an man a drink outta one glass inna bar
Make man a rob tings
From mi cookie jar
Gal open up yuh eyes dem and look far
As yuh look up to the moon
And the pretty stars
Thinking me out like I am in Mars
[Bridge: Barrington Levy (Bounty Killer)]
Well that's all I can take (Lawd a mercy)
Can't let you outta my sight {Duggama? } sight)
An I wouldn't {jump} back in your life
For one more night (Not a second, girl)
[Chorus:]
You're living dangerously (Well!)
Gal yuh living too dangerous for me
You're living dangerously
Well if it's me or Barrington Levy (Talk!)
Living dangerously
Gal yuh living too dangerous for me
(Well!)
[Verse 3:]
Girl yuh livin too dangerous (Hoy!)
Better yuh give it up (Girl)
Yuh never stop until yuh pass di maximum line
Well now yuh know too much
Gal yuh betta look inna yuh life and stop flirt
A walk sidewalk when yuh should deh work
A wash up yuh plate
Or wash a man shirt
The bag a friendship
Business naw gon work
Yuh think it's me or your friends dem
It going to hurt
When me get upset
An mi just {splurt}
Yuh a walk pon di road
An alla wheel up yuh skirt
Dat not gon put one shilling
Inna yuh purse
Better yuh baptize
An gwaan inna church
And pray to God
An put him first (Girl, hey!)
[Chorus:]
Living dangerously
Well gal yuh living too dangerous for me
Living dangerously
Well if it's me or Barrington Levy (Talk!)
Living dangerously
Gal yuh living too dangerous for we
[Outro:]
Dangerously (Lawd a mercy)
Naw change your ways (Lawd a mercy, Lawd a mercy)
Dangerously (Too dangerous, too dangerous)
Naw change your ways
Jp Pryor
I think these songs should be still played on the radio , alot of older folk don't like the new music
Anthony Day Jr
A lot of y’all ready to go to 👼👼👼
Skydive
@Cherrie Morrison some early 2000's tunes got it
Luna Lea
Dahvid Levy plays this & all those Dancehall classics every Sat/Sun on WBLS/107.5, he keeps rocking u, rocking u!😊💚💥🎶
Gemma Leech
This isn’t just for older ones as I grew up listening to all this an now my kids grow up with it on 😂keeping it alive
Kameron
Caribbean radio stations play them on a regular.
Evelyn Jenkins
This jam will never get old at all still sounds great 2022
Reverend BlueJeans
I love boomer music
Sxmpra fan right here!
My childhoooood !!!! the vibes this song give are everything ❤
Kalish Williamson
I was sitting it my father bar asking for a ting while this was playing