Manley Augustus Buchanan (⋆ 19 April 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica), is a Jamai… Read Full Bio ↴Manley Augustus Buchanan (⋆ 19 April 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica), is a Jamaican DJ (reggae toasting and early singjay). Big Youth started toasting for a sound system in 1970. Inspired by the first toaster who was successfully recorded and released – U-Roy – Big Youth developed his own, unique style. His work with producer Gussie Clarke resulted 1972 in 'The Killer' (version of Horace Andy's 'Skylarking') and 'Tippertone Rocking' – his first big Jamaican hits. 1973 the first and legendary album Screaming Target was released.

During 1974 and 1975 Big Youth continued to record for other producers, as Glen Brown, The Abyssinians ('I Pay Thee', 'Dreader Than Dread'), Yabby You ('Yabby Youth' – later known as 'Lightning Flash (Weak Heart Drop)'), Bunny Wailer ('Bide'/'Black on Black') and Joe Gibbs ('Medecine Doctor'). His LP, Dread Locks Dread, was released 1975 and produced by Prince Tony Robinson.

However, Big Youth had also started releasing his own self-produced recordings on the "Negusa Nagast" and "Augustus Buchanan" labels in Jamaica. His first self-produced LP was Reggae Phenomemnon in 1974. His self-productions continued with the 1976 albums Natty Cultural Dread and Hit The Road Jack, using his own musicians, usually the Soul Syndicate band. Now Big Youth changed his deejay style to be more of a singjay than a toaster; even if his vocal range was never the greatest, his singing sides continued to improve in musical quality, and began to become as common as his DJ tunes. He signed to Virgin Records' Frontline label in 1977, and his first release on the label was the Isaiah First Prophet of Old album, and he also appeared in the feature movie Rockers. Together with U-Roy, I-Roy, Dennis Alcapone, Prince FarI, and Dillinger, Big Youth is one of the immortal early Jamaican reggae toasters which have inspired generations of following Jamaican dancehall deejays and American rappers.

The name of the band Sonic Youth is in part a tribute to Big Youth.

"Yes, me come inna de music as Rasta, me a de original rastaman who enter it." Big Youth, Italy, 2001

"Deejays were closest to the people because there wasn't any kind of establishment control on the sound systems". Big Youth in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music

Discography

* Chi Chi Run - Fab 1972 (including just three Big Youth songs)
* Screaming Target - Trojan 1973
* Reggae Phenomenon - Augustus Buchanen 1975
* Dreadlocks Dread - Klick 1975
* Natty Cultural Dread - Trojan 1976
* Hit the Road Jack - Trojan 1976
* Isiah First Prohphet of Old - Nicola Delita, Caroline 1978
* Progress - Nocola Delita 1979
* Rock Holy - Negusa Negast 1980
* Some Great Big Youth - Heartbeat 1981
* Chanting Dread Inna Fine Style - Heartbeat 1982
* Live at Reggae Sunsplash - Genes 1984
* A Luta Continua (The Struggle Continue) - Heartbeat 1986
* Manifestation - Heartbeat 1988
* Jamming in the House of Dread - Danceteria 1990
* Higher Grounds - JR, VP Records 1995
* Save the children - Declic 1995
* Reggae Gi Dem Dub - Nicola Delita
* Natty Universal Dread 1973–1979 - a 3-CD-Box-set with Big Youth's major works during the 70's, released in 2001.

My Time
Big Youth Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I struggled with this pain inside, but it was too strong
You looked so catatonic, ya knew it was wrong
Destructive, tainted, heated words scraped off your tongue
Singing wholly sinful song

If you feel the same way, and you want to go to heaven for the first time
One more time
One more time

You want to know the reason why I am the way I am
You want to hear the truth the love the way that only I can tell
You want to hear a song that moves and hangs inside of you
You want to feel and see the magic that only I can sell

I'm gonna plug it in, turn it up, settle in
And turn the self indulgent matrons over belly up
I'm gonna find a way to touch you...
And blow away the hate for you to hear this fallen angel's song

If you feel the same way, and you want to go to heaven for the first time
One more time
One more time
You want to know the reason why I am the way I am
You want to hear the truth the love the way that only I can tell
You want to hear a song that moves and hangs inside of you
You want to feel and see the magic that only I can sell

My dear friends out there, standing atop the mountain
Did you find your faith in God
When you found that you were buried at the bottom?

If you feel the same way, and you want to go to heaven for the first time
One more time
One more time
You want to know the reason why I am the way I am
You want to hear the truth the love the way that only I can tell

You want to hear a song that moves and hangs inside of you
You want to feel and see the magic that only I can sell

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Big Youth's song "My Time" explore the themes of pain, self-discovery, and the search for spirituality. The opening lines reveal the singer's inner turmoil, as they struggle with intense emotional pain. They then turn their attention to someone who appears "catatonic," suggesting that they are emotionally numb or disconnected from reality. The singer recognizes the "heated" and "sinful" nature of their own thoughts and feelings and implies that the other person may be experiencing a similar struggle.

The chorus of the song speaks directly to the listener, inviting them to join in the search for deeper meaning and connection. The repeated phrase "one more time" implies that this journey is ongoing and never-ending. The singer promises to share the truth and love that only they can convey through their music. They describe their song as "magical," capable of moving and inspiring anyone who hears it.

Towards the end of the song, Big Youth addresses "my dear friends" who may have experienced similar struggles to his own. He asks whether they have found faith and spirituality in their lives, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. The overall message of the song seems to be one of hope, suggesting that even in the midst of pain and struggle, there is the possibility of finding connection and meaning through music and spirituality.

Line by Line Meaning

I struggled with this pain inside, but it was too strong
I suffered from an overwhelming pain inside of me which was too much to handle.

You looked so catatonic, ya knew it was wrong
Your appearance was comatose and it was evident that something was not right.

Destructive, tainted, heated words scraped off your tongue
You were spewing hurtful, contaminated and passionate words from your mouth.

Singing wholly sinful song
You were singing a song that was completely sinful.

If you feel the same way, and you want to go to heaven for the first time
If you can relate to my feelings and you desire to experience heaven for the first time.

You want to know the reason why I am the way I am
You are interested in knowing why I behave in a certain way.

You want to hear the truth the love the way that only I can tell
You want to hear the truth about love in a way that only I can communicate.

You want to hear a song that moves and hangs inside of you
You crave a song that will stir your emotions and linger in your soul.

You want to feel and see the magic that only I can sell
You aspire to witness and experience the enchantment that only I can provide.

I'm gonna plug it in, turn it up, settle in
I will connect everything, increase the volume, and get comfortable.

And turn the self indulgent matrons over belly up
I will overturn the self-absorbed and immoral people.

I'm gonna find a way to touch you...
I will seek a method to connect and reach you emotionally.

And blow away the hate for you to hear this fallen angel's song
And obliterate the negativity in order for you to hear this song from a fallen angel.

My dear friends out there, standing atop the mountain
My beloved companions, who are on top of the mountain.

Did you find your faith in God
Did you discover your belief in God?

When you found that you were buried at the bottom?
Did you find God when you reached rock bottom?

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY COUTURIER, TODD WYATT, WILLIAM MARTIN, WILLIAM H. MARTIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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