He was booed off stage at a show celebrating the visit of Nelson Mandela. In 1993 at the very popular show Sting he accused fellow deejay Bounty Killer that the elder artist had stolen his catchphrase, "people dead". This triggered a lyrical battle which continued on the air with each artist counteracting the other's songs. Finally, in 1995, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer settled their differences on the air by actually signing a peace treaty and the two recorded an album together, Guns Out. This was followed by a single, "No Mama No Cry", a rehash of the Bob Marley classic "No Woman No Cry", speaking out against violence and inspired by the murder of Pan Head, another popular Deejay.
Partially as a result of prodding from his producers, Sly and Robbie, Beenie Man soon converted to the Rastafari movement.
In 1994, he was signed by Island Records and released the critically acclaimed album Blessed.
In 1995, Beenie Man released a remix of Barrington Levy's "Under Mi Sensi" in the United Kingdom, and collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma to release Three Against War and Lt. Stitchie on Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie & Beenie Man. He took another step up the ladder in 1996, releasing the seminal Maestro, produced by Patrick Roberts and shot him to UK fame. During the period from the mid to late '90s, Beenie Man dominated the Jamaican charts to the extent that he perhaps had a good claim to the crown of "Dancehall King", a title only bestowed previously on Yellowman in the early 1980s.
In 1998, Beenie Man signed to Virgin Records to release albums in the United States. His first American offering was The Doctor (1998). In 2000, Beenie Man teamed up with Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (The Fugees) to release The Art & Life. During the late 1990s, Beenie Man began his conquest of America with the hits, "Romie", "Who Am I" and "Girls Dem Sugar", which featured American R&B singer, Mya.
In 2002, he had a sizeable hit with a duet with Janet Jackson called "Feel It Boy", but his biggest break in America came in early 2004 with the release of a remix of "Dude", featuring guest vocals by fellow Jamaican Ms. Thing, as well as rhymes by Shawnna.
Happy Days
Beenie Man Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Play some dominoes, chill wid mi friends
Police all a pass through divide no tense
No man no bad mind, every heart tens
When yo work so hard, save so hard fi live so large
A man rape yo wife in a yo yard
Without regard them shoot the sarge
Better day must come praise the lord
Happy time
Happy moment
No more crime
Happy days
Happy time
Happy moment
No more crime
Wi naw go wreck a life wi just waan fi live better
Rather up town or down in a the gutter
Them go lops a ahh rice fi go dumpling and butter
A man is just a man so it no meck none a wi better
Wi live in a the ghetto bout wi still have dream
Must haffi achieve music a my mean
Never grudge mi brother fi him shirt or jeans
Everyday mi work fi my greens
Every action cause a reaction
That's why police man gone fi corruption
Tell the big man them low the young one
Left the juvenile them meck them turn big man
Cause you no know if him a go own radio station or poling station
Or a gas station
Could a be the next prime minister fi the nation
This one dedicate mi no matter weh yo come from
The song "Happy Days" by Beenie Man is an optimistic song that speaks to the desire for a better future. The first verse talks about enjoying the simple pleasures of life with friends while avoiding confrontations with the police. The second verse speaks to the idea that despite living in the ghetto, dreams can be achieved through hard work and determination. The chorus repeats the desire for a better future with happy days, times, and moments.
The opening lines speak to the idea of having a good time with friends while avoiding trouble. Beenie Man talks about how long it's been since he's had a drink and how he wants to just chill with his friends and play some dominoes. He mentions the police driving by but the vibe is still relaxed because no one is there to cause trouble.
The next verse talks about how despite living in a challenging environment, dreams can still be achieved. Beenie Man talks about the need to work hard and to not grudge others for their material possessions. He talks about how the youth should be left alone to grow so that they too can have the chance to achieve great things in the future. The chorus repeats the desire for a better future free of crime.
Line by Line Meaning
Long time mi no drink a Guinness and hold a vibes pon the endz
It has been a while since I drank a Guinness and relaxed with my friends on the streets.
Play some dominoes, chill wid mi friends
I am playing dominoes and enjoying the company of my friends.
Police all a pass through divide no tense
The police are passing through without causing any tension.
No man no bad mind, every heart tens
Nobody has any negative feelings towards each other, but everyone is still cautious.
When yo work so hard, save so hard fi live so large
When you work and save hard, you can live a good life.
A man rape yo wife in a yo yard
Someone violates your wife in your own home.
Without regard them shoot the sarge
Without any concern, they shoot the sergeant.
Better day must come praise the lord
We must have faith that things will get better and give thanks to God.
So mi want some happy days
I want some joyful times in my life.
Happy time
A period of happiness.
Happy moment
A brief time of joy.
No more crime
No more illegal activities.
Wi naw go wreck a life wi just waan fi live better
We don't want to ruin anyone's life, we just want to live a good life ourselves.
Rather up town or down in a the gutter
Whether we live in a wealthy area or a poor area, we still have hopes and dreams.
Them go lops a ahh rice fi go dumpling and butter
Some people may have a lot of rice, but we prefer dumplings and butter.
A man is just a man so it no meck none a wi better
We are all equal, no one is better than the other.
Wi live in a the ghetto bout wi still have dream
We may live in the ghetto, but we still have aspirations for our future.
Must haffi achieve music a my mean
We must work hard to achieve our goals, and music is my way of doing so.
Never grudge mi brother fi him shirt or jeans
I never envy my brother for the things he has.
Everyday mi work fi my greens
Every day, I work hard to make money.
Every action cause a reaction
Every action has a consequence.
That's why police man gone fi corruption
That's why the police are trying to eliminate corruption.
Tell the big man them low the young one
Tell the influential people to give younger people a chance.
Left the juvenile them meck them turn big man
Give young people the opportunity to grow and become influential themselves.
Cause you no know if him a go own radio station or poling station
You never know if they will own a radio station or become involved in politics.
Or a gas station
Or even own a gas station.
Could a be the next prime minister fi the nation
They could potentially become the next prime minister of the country.
This one dedicate mi no matter weh yo come from
I dedicate this song to everyone, regardless of where they come from.
Contributed by Camilla G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sherman4676
Brings it on each song and kills it everytime! King of the dancehall.
@MrWaynei
This man is a cut above the rest!!! madddddddd
@florence3258
You always amaze me. Awesome song.zagga zow King Beenieman
@saucystacy1
What more to be said!! GREATEST
@coglangwezere9816
2020 and still listening
@shermaineification
We say better days ^_^ love love love it
@steven10787
The King leggo some straight shot on this riddim.SWICKEDLY!! Zagga
@EmmaWM1
FEELS GOOD!
@sean59459
The boss gone clear..song sickkkkkkkkkkkk
@keida11100
LOVE IT KINGBEENIEMAN!! ZAGGA