He emerged as a solo star in 1966 with the smash hit "I've Got to Go Back Home", a song which has become a much-loved anthem for Jamaicans. He had served his singing and songwriting apprenticeship with the legendary vocal group THE PARAGONS, which he founded with Tyrone (Don) Evans and Howard Barrett, later joined by John Holt. The Paragons had several hits for producer Coxsone Dodd including the Number One "Love At Last", penned by Bob.
As one of STUDIO ONE's leading lights, Bob worked closely with Jackie Mittoo on many of the label's seminal sounds. Besides writing songs for himself which have become reggae standards - "Feeling Soul", "My Time", "Going Home", and "Too Experienced", to name just a few - Bob contributed hits for many of the other artists there.
In 1970, international recognition came when Bob and Marcia Griffiths recorded Nina Simone's "Young, Gifted and Black", which sold 1/2 million in the UK and Europe, and still receives frequent airplay today. BOB & MARCIA became household names, appearing on Top of the Pops and touring extensively. They had another UK Top Ten single and two albums for Trojan Records.
During the early 70s Bob continued his solo recordings; "You Don't Know" and "Life" are two songs from this time which hold a special place in the hearts of his British fans. After the duo split in 1974, Marcia became one of Bob Marley's I-Threes, and Bob's singles "Fire Burning" and "Check It Out" struck a responsive chord with Jamaicans in the new social consciousness of the Manley era.
In the middle Seventies Bob was the Tropical Soundtracs label's A&R manager. He and Marcia reunited for the Kemar LP, which remains the definitive Bob & Marcia album and has been released as Really Together on Bob's own label.
Bob was one of the first Jamaican artists to establish his own publishing company, ANDISONGS, and served as one of the prime movers in the attempt to establish a Caribbean Copyright Organisation.
1978 saw the release of Bob's album Lots of Love and I, which amongst many excellent tracks contains the classics "Ghetto Stays in the Mind" and "Feel the Feeling." In the same year he traveled to Cuba to perform at the 11th World Festival of Youth and Students. Then began a five year absence from the music scene as Bob became increasingly involved in acting. He took lead roles in several theatre productions, and in 1979 starred in the Jamaican feature film Children of Babylon.
In 1983 Bob was welcomed back to the reggae charts with a Number One single, "Honey", followed by a Number One album, Friends. For these and subsequent releases he formed his own label, I-ANKA, in Jamaica and the UK.
During 1985 Bob toured California, appeared at the Youth Festival in Moscow, and headlined the first Japanese Reggae Sunsplash. The Retrospective album was released in 1986 (1987 on Heartbeat/Rounder Records in North America) to widespread critical acclaim. It provides a missing historical link between the Studio One masterpiece Bob Andy's Songbook and his more recent work.
In November 1987, Bob assumed the post of A&R and Promotions Director for Tuff Gong (the group of companies founded by Bob Marley). In this capacity he represented Tuff Gong Music at many industry functions in Jamaica and abroad. He produced music by such artists as Nadine Sutherland, Ernest Wilson and Tyrone Taylor, as well as new talent. Bob's stay at Tuff Gong provided him with many opportunities to express his life-long desire for higher standards in Jamaican music, both in its business operations and in the quality of its musical output.
Freely, released on I-Anka in late 1988, comprised tracks recorded throughout the middle 80s. It received rave reviews and spent many months in the reggae charts.
Assuming once again his role of Jamaican music pioneer, Bob spent six months in Australia in 1989, conducting workshops and playing with local musicians. On December 13th 1989, he joined other leading reggae artists at Gdansk Shipyard in Poland in an Anti-Apartheid concert sponsored by Solidarity to celebrate the progress of the world's liberation movements.
During the 90s Continental Records, one of Brazil's largest record companies, issued a Bob Andy compilation album, and several of Bob's albums received Japanese releases. Bob recorded the album Hanging Tough for producer Willie Lindo at his Heavy Beat Studios in Miami. The set was released in 1997 on VP Records and included the inspirational singles "Love This Life" and "Die No More."
Formal recognition of Bob’s musical contributions has flowed in from many sources during the last two decades. Rockers Magazine honoured Bob with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Kingston in 1989, as did the Canadian Reggae Music Awards in Toronto in 1991. Bob’s song “Fire Burning” received the JAMI Award for Song of the Year in 1991. In 1997 he was named as one of the music’s “Living Legends” at the Reggae/Soca Awards in Miami and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the 1999 Bob Marley Day Festival in Southern California. He received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Jamaica in 2003.
The 90s and the first decade of the new millennium have found Bob continuing to give stunning performances in Europe, Japan, Jamaica, Canada and the US. In addition to his solo performances he has taken part in a series of special reunion concerts with Marcia Griffiths. He has added new classics to his repertoire, such as the well-received singles “Zion”, “There Is A God” and “Ska Music (is Jah Music)”.
In early 2005, Bob made his first journey to Africa. He performed at the Bob Marley 60th birthday concert in Addis Ababa to an audience of several hundred thousand, and also sang at the Ethiopian President’s Palace. During a visit to Shashemane in the weeks following, he gave benefit concerts for the 12 Tribes.
Jamaica conferred its Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) on Keith ‘Bob Andy’ Anderson in October 2006 for his contributions to the development of reggae music.
Most recently, Bob’s new compositions include two successful singles recorded for the Altafaan label: “Create Our History” with Luciano (2006), and “Almighty Dolla” (spring 2007).
It has often been noted that the mark of a great artist is the continued production of notable works throughout his lifetime. A veritable explosion of cover versions of Bob’s songs and rhythms has already introduced a new generation of fans to his music. Bob’s audience will have much to savour as they as become familiar with his current songs, which will only serve to further enhance one of the most distinctive and distinguished bodies of work in Jamaica’s musical history.
It
Bob Andy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Honey, don't you know I'm gonna give them right back?
'Cause that's a kissing good way
That's a kissing good way
That's a kissing good way
To mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
Ooh, if you're gonna start out hugging me tight
(Right)
Don't mess around come and hug me right
'Cause that's a hugging good way
That's a hugging good way
That's a hugging good way
To mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, sing it Bonnie, don't mess around)
You know you called me on the phone
(Yeah, I got your number)
Well, just because I was alone
Ah, you came around a wooing
(Why not?)
You better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doing
Now that you've kissed me and you rocked my soul
Don't come round knocking rock 'n' roll
'Cause that's a rocking good way
That's a rocking good way
And that's a rocking good way
To mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around)
Tell me, baby
(Don't mess around)
Well, now you call me on the phone
(Yeah baby)
And just because I was alone
You came around a wooing
Ah, you better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doing
Ah, you kiss me and you rock my soul
(I love your soul)
Don't come round knocking rock 'n' roll
'Cause that's a rocking good way
Shakey, that's a rocking good way
That's a rocking good way to mess around and fall in love, yeah
(Don't mess around)
What a way to go
(Don't mess around)
It's a rocking good way
That's a rocking good way
That's a rocking good way to mess around and fall in love
(Don't mess around, don't mess around)
Yeah, that's a rocking good way to mess around and fall in love
Keep on rocking
(I'm with you, baby)
It's a rocking good way
(Ah, you'd better know it)
A rocking good way
Ah baby, you've got what it takes
Rocking good way
The lyrics to Bob Andy's song A Rockin Good Way are about the excitement and passion of falling in love, expressed through the imagery of good kisses, hugs, and rock 'n' roll. The chorus repeats the phrase "that's a kissing/hugging/rocking good way to mess around and fall in love," emphasizing the idea that these physical expressions of affection are powerful and can lead to deep connections with another person.
The verses describe the singer's experience with a lover who has called them on the phone and come around to woo them. The singer warns their lover not to mess around and to be careful with their affections, but also acknowledges the thrill of being kissed, hugged, and rocked by this person. The song ends with a call to keep on rocking and enjoying the passion of falling in love.
Overall, A Rockin Good Way is a celebration of the joy and excitement of new love, expressed through catchy, upbeat lyrics and a lively rock 'n' roll sound.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're gonna give me good kisses like that
If you're going to kiss me like that, I will return the favor
Honey, don't you know I'm gonna give them right back?
I will gladly give you a kiss back
'Cause that's a kissing good way
Because kissing like this leads to good things
That's a kissing good way
Kissing like this is the way to go
To mess around and fall in love
This kind of kissing often leads to loving relationships
Ooh, if you're gonna start out hugging me tight
If you're going to hug me, make sure it's a tight embrace
(Right)
Agreed
Don't mess around come and hug me right
Make sure the hug is sincere and genuine
That's a hugging good way
Hugging like this is a great way to bond
To mess around and fall in love
This kind of hugging often leads to loving relationships
You know you called me on the phone
You remember when you called me before
(Yeah, I got your number)
Yes, I remember you called me, I have your number saved
Well, just because I was alone
It's not because I needed someone to talk to that I wanted to talk to you
Ah, you came around a wooing
You came and tried to impress me
(Why not?)
Why not try to make a connection?
You better ask somebody if you don't know what you're doing
If you're unsure what to do, seek some advice
Now that you've kissed me and you rocked my soul
Now that we have kissed and it was amazing
Don't come round knocking rock 'n' roll
Don't disturb me with loud music
'Cause that's a rocking good way
Because loud music is a fantastic way to have some fun
And that's a rocking good way
It's an awesome way to have some fun
Shakey, that's a rocking good way
Hey Shakey, this is a great way to have some fun
Yeah, that's a rocking good way to mess around and fall in love
Having fun like this often leads to love
Keep on rocking
Let's keep having fun and being joyful
(I'm with you, baby)
I'm right there with you, my love
Ah baby, you've got what it takes
Baby, you possess all the qualities I seek in a partner
Rocking good way
It's a fantastic way to enjoy life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brook Benton, Clyde Lovern Otis, Luchi Dejesus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Thinslice
He could sing. He could play. He could write words and music. He worked for the world's greatest record label. He should have become a global household name.
harry pempo
Bob Andy,one of the greatest singer songwriter ever,this is a classical gem of an album
valerie salmon
R.I.P. Legend Bob Andy. One of the greatest singer/songwriter/musician from Jamaica to have blessed this Earth. Definitely a Hall of Famer in my eyes. Will miss your performances. Your songs will forever live on. Sleep on my brother.
Malika Stewart
Sighhh, if mi cud jus bring him back.. SMH... Sleep on great one.
KeithHallGPS.
To me these hits from Bob Andy brings back memories RIP mi general and thanks for your lyrical contribution.
danny blackhorse
words with a message
Irucy Ites
One of the greatest songwriters to come out of Jamaica.
Christopher Cole
stir it up little darling
Christopher Cole
stir it up
Christopher Cole
bob marley