He charted solo with "Elizabethan Reggae" in 1970. Actually, he nearly did not appear at all. The story about his first hit is that, when it was released in the UK, the first copies were printed with the label incorrectly identifying Byron Lee as the performer. The reality was that he was the instrumental track's record producer. The UK Singles Chart for the first entry, and the subsequent first four weeks of its re-entry into the charts all reprinted this error. However, all charts and discs printed after 28 February 1970, duly gave Boris Gardiner the credit he deserved.
His debut album Reggae Happening was also released in 1970 and (although it did not make the pop charts) "sold respectably for a reggae LP" in the UK, according to music journalist Ian McCann. Although Gardiner continued to be successful in Jamaica, he had no more hits in the UK during that decade.
However, in 1986 he recorded the pop single, "I Want To Wake Up With You", a surprise UK Number One, which spent two months in the Top Ten. It was followed into the same chart by "You're Everything To Me" (which just missed out being another Top 10 entry when it peaked at Number 11), plus "The Meaning Of Christmas".
Later, Gardiner signed to RCA Records.
Every N****r Is a Star
Boris Gardiner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like it happened before.
The places that I knew,
They were sunny and blue.
I can feel it deep inside,
This black, nigger style,
I have no fear,
When I say
Everyday,
Every Nigger is a star,
Every Nigger is a star,
Who will denny, that you and I and every Nigger is star
I have walked this streets alone,
Many years I've been on my own,
To be hated and dismissed,
No one to symphazyse.
But there's one great thing I know,
You can tell I told you so,
Regard the right place, in the sun, where there's love for everyone
Every Nigger is star,
Every Nigger is star,
Who will deny, that you and I and every Nigger is a star
(Black, shiny star) Every nigger is star ×3
The song "Every N****r Is a Star" by Boris Gardiner has a deep and powerful message about the beauty and worth of all people, regardless of race. The lyrics suggest that every person, regardless of skin color or any other demographic factor, has value and shines like a star. The song highlights the pain and isolation that many people of color have experienced, as the lyrics speak of walking alone through the streets and feeling dismissed and hated. Despite this pain, however, the chorus powerfully declares that every person is a star and deserves to be seen and celebrated.
The repetition of the phrase "Every N****r is a star" throughout the song emphasizes the message and reinforces the idea that every person, regardless of how they have been treated or perceived by society, has inner worth and beauty. The song also suggests that finding the "right place, in the sun, where there's love for everyone" is key to realizing this inner worth and shining like a star.
Overall, "Every N****r Is a Star" is a powerful message of hope and empowerment for people of color everywhere. It celebrates their worth and beauty in the face of racism and discrimination, while also acknowledging the pain and isolation that they may experience.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not sure anymore
I am uncertain about life
Just like it happened before.
Similar to what I experienced earlier
The places that I knew,
The locations I knew
They were sunny and blue.
They were pretty and pleasing
I can feel it deep inside,
I sense something deep within me
This black, nigger style,
This style inherent in Black people
I have no fear,
I'm unafraid
When I say
When I express myself
And I say it,
And I express it
Everyday,
Regularly
Every Nigger is a star,
Every Black person is remarkable
Who will deny, that you and I and every Nigger is star
Who can refute that we, and every other Black person, are exceptional
I have walked this streets alone,
I've been alone on the streets
Many years I've been on my own,
I've been alone for several years
To be hated and dismissed,
To be despised and disregarded
No one to symphazyse.
No one to empathize with me
But there's one great thing I know,
One great thing I'm aware of
You can tell I told you so,
You can confirm that I already said it
Regard the right place, in the sun, where there's love for everyone
Consider the appropriate spot, in the sunshine, where everyone is loved
Every Nigger is star,
Every Black person is exceptional
Who will deny, that you and I and every Nigger is a star
Who can refute that we, and every other Black person, are remarkable
(Black, shiny star) Every nigger is star ×3
Every Black person is a bright and shiny star
Writer(s): Boris Oliver Patrick Gardiner
Contributed by Anna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.