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.
Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
Big Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cheap shots, low blows, will you ever let it go
You're so pathetic, give it a rest
You(re not gonna win, you're never gonna
You love the sound of your own voice
And the crown of death upon your head, come on
You and all your royalty, on the edge of infamy
You're so good at stretching the truth into a sugar coated lie
Everyone takes a bite
I have been dining with the enemy
It was a wolf in sheep's clothing, now it's so clear to me
I've had enough of your games
If your not trembling you'd better be
Cause we're gonna be the end of you
I've had enough of your games
I'm gonna show them who you really are
I can tell you right now, it wont be pretty
I'm a coward not a fighter, disguised as a lover
In disguise, in disguise
For so long now, you held me down
You held me, you held me down
You held me down
You held my down for so long
But its not gonna last
Cause i can see right through your beautiful eyes
I've had enough of your games
If your not trembling you'd better be
Cause we're gonna be the end of you
I've had enough of your games
I'm gonna show them who you really are
I can tell you right now, it wont be pretty
You're throwing everything you have at me
Cheaps shots, low blows, will you ever let it go
You're so pathetic, give it a rest
You're not gonna win, you're never gonna
The lyrics of "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" by Big Youth express the frustration and anger of an individual who has been deceived by someone who appeared to be a friend but, in reality, was an enemy. The song is a powerfully emotional diatribe against the duplicity of a person who, through lies and deceit, has caused great harm. The contentious nature of the lyrics is clear from the opening lines: “You're throwing everything you have at me, cheap shots, low blows, will you ever let it go? You're so pathetic, give it a rest. You're not gonna win, you're never gonna.”
The singer goes on to describe how his enemy is so enamoured of his own voice and influence that he has begun to believe in his own infallibility: “You love the sound of your own voice and the crown of death upon your head, come on, you and all your royalty, on the edge of infamy, you're going to taste my first.” The singer expresses disgust at his enemy's skill in "stretching the truth into sugar-coated lies," leading him to turn against his followers as well. As the song progresses, the singer's frustration seems to grow into a desire for vengeance, with a declaration that he will put an end to his enemy's reign. The song's overall message is that a wolf in sheep's clothing is a dangerous and destructive force, and that one must be vigilant and cautious in choosing friends.
Line by Line Meaning
You're throxing everything you have at me
You're attacking me with everything you've got
Cheap shots, low blows, will you ever let it go
You're using underhanded tactics, will you ever stop?
You're so pathetic, give it a rest
You're sad and weak, stop bothering me
You're not gonna win, you're never gonna
You won't be successful, give up already
You love the sound of your own voice
You enjoy hearing yourself talk
And the crown of death upon your head, come on
You have a sense of power and control over others
You and all your royalty, on the edge of infamy
You and your group are almost infamous for being deceitful
You're going to taste my first
I will get the first strike against you
You're so good at stretching the truth into a sugar coated lie
You're skilled at making lies sound appealing
Everyone takes a bite
People believe your lies
I have been dining with the enemy
I have been associating with someone who is actually against me
It was a wolf in sheep's clothing, now it's so clear to me
They appeared friendly, but they're actually dangerous
I've had enough of your games
I'm tired of your manipulations
If you're not trembling you'd better be
You should be afraid of what's coming next
Cause we're gonna be the end of you
We will put an end to your schemes
I'm gonna show them who you really are
I will reveal your true nature to others
I can tell you right now, it won't be pretty
The truth about you will not be flattering
I'm a coward not a fighter, disguised as a lover
I'm not confrontational, I try to appear loving instead
In disguise, in disguise
Hiding my true self and intentions
For so long now, you held me down
You've oppressed me for a while
But it's not gonna last
I won't let you keep me down
Cause I can see right through your beautiful eyes
I know your true intentions, no matter how appealing you may seem
Contributed by Eli V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@errolnicholson4724
I was 12 years old when I hear it at a private school 1975. I love it so much. Big Up BIG YOUTH
@stevejunor7336
The greatest down to earth man whose
Recognition as been belittled A true genius this classic highlights its great
Immensity and uniqueness of a true national Jamaican hero.Gwaan Youthty.
@jahwaine9584
Real Talk ‼️✊🏾💚💛❤️🖤💚💪🏾👑
@abrahamsmith2506
@@jahwaine9584 009Ù Roy
@queenmajesty5163
When all the artists played their own instruments.....EXTREMELY WELL !!!
@daveculver9299
Harlesden ‘ Soundville’ 70’s, Who remembers?
@geeeze2403
Yes bredda big up all the Harlesden massive. NW10 yoot , all de mandem, all de gyal dem, 1 love
@amlynchy
Bad chune dis back in de day. Memories! !!!!
@donbongonyah2747
Alistair Lynchy all now bredrin. original sinting cyaan done
@slammrobinson3332
Thank you so much Big Youth This planet is a better place for you. Mad Props