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.
Pied Piper
Bob Andy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The song "Pied Piper" by Bob Andy speaks about someone who is always hiding behind a mask, unsure of what to do if happiness were to find them. The Pied Piper is the one who can show them where life really is, urging them to follow him and trust him. Andy encourages the listener to let go of their fears and doubts, and to trust in the Pied Piper to guide them towards a happier life. The lyrics suggest that the listener may be holding themselves back by keeping their guard up, but the Pied Piper can show them that happiness is all around, waiting to be embraced.
The Pied Piper is a figure from the famous folklore of Hamelin in Germany, who led rats out of the town by playing a flute, and then, after not being paid for his service, took the town's children as payment. The song alludes to this figure as a metaphor for Bob Andy, who wants to lead the listener out of their own disempowering beliefs and lead them towards a better life. The song can also be interpreted as a call to let go of one's inhibitions and go along with the flow of life, guided by the Pied Piper.
Line by Line Meaning
YOU WITH YOUR MASQUERADING.
You are hiding behind a mask, pretending to be someone you're not.
YOU ALWAYS CONTEMPLATING WHAT TO DO IN CASE HAPPINESS FOUND YOU.
You are constantly thinking about what you would do if you were happy, instead of living in the present moment.
CAN`T YOU SEE THAT IT`S ALL AROUND YOU?
Happiness is already present in your life, but you are not recognizing it.
SO FOLLOW ME.
Let me guide you towards finding happiness in your life.
HEY, COME ON BABE, FOLLOW ME, I`M THE PIED PIPER.
Hey, come with me and I will lead you towards happiness. I am the Pied Piper.
FOLLOW ME, I`M THE PIED PIPER AND I`LL SHOW YOU WHERE IT`S AT.
Follow me and I will show you where happiness is located.
HEY, BABE, CAN`T YOU SEE I`M THE PIED PIPER?
Hey, can't you see that I am the one who can lead you towards happiness? I am the Pied Piper.
TRUST IN ME, I`M THE PIED PIPER AND I`LL SHOW YOU WHERE LIFE IS AT.
Have faith in me and I will show you the way to live a fulfilling life. I am the Pied Piper.
GIRL, DON`T BE SCARED TO MOVE.
Do not be afraid to take steps towards finding happiness.
BABE, WHAT ARE YOU TRYIN` TO PROVE?
What are you trying to accomplish by resisting happiness?
IT AIN`T TRUE THAT YOUR LIFE HAS KICKED YOU.
Your life has not been unfair to you in the way you think it has.
IT`S YOUR MIND AND THAT`S ALL THAT`S TRICKIN` YOU.
It is your own thoughts and beliefs that are preventing you from finding happiness.
SO FALL IN LINE.
Follow my lead and take steps towards finding happiness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ART KORNFELD, STEVE DUBOFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ew3kd8my6h
Reminds me of a holiday at Bridlington with the lads we were all suedes ❤❤❤❤
@user-ew3kd8my6h
I was a suedehead when this came out
@martinlee5604
Bob & Marcia had two Top 20 hits in the UK. 'Young, Gifted And Black' climbed to No.5 in March 1970, and their cover of Crispian St Peters' 'Pied Piper' reached No.11 in July 1971.
@anthonymills1292
Crispian St Peters was also a cover version. It was written and originally recorded by US group The Changin' Times.
@bevcoatham6462
Absolutely love this song
@peterward2275
This song always reminds me of someone special.
@micksutton1782
Sold my amps decks etc back in the 80’s but kept my vinyl now I’ve got amp and decks again now i can listen to some good old tunes
@jeanedwards2497
Bought up with this beautiful tune..... Happy days 🎶🤩
@normacameron5037
Yow every time I hear this song I love it more and more after so many years
@pied-piper-of-hamelin
liking the subtle jamaican vibes in the song.