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 Nigger Is A Star
Boris Gardiner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not sure anymore
Just how it happened before
The places that I knew
Were sunny and blue
I can feel it deep inside
This black nigger's pride
I have no fear when I say
And I say it every day:
Every nigger is a star
Every nigger is a star
Who will deny that you and I and every nigger is a star?
I have walked the streets alone
Twenty years I've been on my own
To be hated and despised (Poor nigger)
No one to sympathize (Poor nigger)
But there's one great thing I know
You can say, "I told you so"
They've got a right place in the sun
Where there's love for everyone, and
(Bright shining star) Every nigger's a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigger's a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigger's a star
Every nigger's a star (Yeah, yeah, yeah!)
They've got a right place in the sun
Where there's love for everyone, and
x3
(Bright shining star) Every nigger's a star
(Bright shining star) Yes, every nigger is a star
The song "Every Nigger Is A Star" by Boris Gardiner is a powerful anthem of black empowerment and solidarity. The lyrics express pride in being black despite the discrimination and hatred that black people face. The singer is unsure how they ended up in a world where they are hated and despised, but they are certain that they have a right to exist and be loved just like any other human being. The phrase "every nigger is a star" is repeated multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that all black people are unique and have value.
The lyrics also express the loneliness and isolation that black people can feel, as the singer mentions walking the streets alone for twenty years without anyone to sympathize with them. Despite this, they remain optimistic about the future, believing that there is a place in the sun for every black person, where there is love for everyone. The repetition of the phrase "bright shining star" reinforces this positive message, as if to say that black people are like stars shining in the darkness.
Overall, "Every Nigger Is A Star" is a song about pride, resilience, and hope. It acknowledges the struggles that black people face, but also celebrates their unique qualities and their right to be treated with respect and dignity.
Line by Line Meaning
Every nigger is a star
Every black person deserves to shine bright and have their worth recognized.
I'm not sure anymore
Uncertain of what led to black people being treated unfairly in society.
Just how it happened before
Not understanding the history behind systemic racism and oppression of black people.
The places that I knew were sunny and blue
Remembering the good times before realizing the harsh realities of racial inequality.
I can feel it deep inside, This black nigger's pride
Feeling a sense of pride in one's identity in the face of discrimination.
I have no fear when I say, And I say it every day: Every nigger is a star
Fearlessly asserting the value and importance of black individuals.
Who will deny that you and I and every nigger is a star?
Rhetorical question challenging those who would deny black people their worth and humanity.
I have walked the streets alone, Twenty years I've been on my own
Enduring loneliness and isolation as a result of societal discrimination against black people.
To be hated and despised (Poor nigger), No one to sympathize (Poor nigger)
Experiencing the pain of being marginalized and ostracized in a society that does not value black people.
But there's one great thing I know, You can say, "I told you so"
Looking forward to the day when black people will be recognized and valued for their contributions to society.
They've got a right place in the sun, Where there's love for everyone, and (Bright shining star) Every nigger's a star
Hope for a future where black individuals are able to shine and be loved and accepted in society.
(Bright shining star) Every nigger's a star (Yeah, yeah, yeah!)
Affirming the worth and value of black individuals in the face of discrimination and prejudice.
They've got a right place in the sun, Where there's love for everyone, and (Bright shining star) Every nigger's a star x3 (Bright shining star) Yes, every nigger is a star
Repeating the message of hope and affirmation for black individuals, emphasizing their right to equality and respect.
Contributed by Adeline P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Aditya Saha
[Intro]
Every nigga is a star
[Verse 1]
I'm not sure anymore
Just how it happened before
The places that I knew
Were sunny and blue
I can feel it deep inside
This black nigga's pride
I have no fear when I say
And I say it every day:
[Refrain]
Every nigga is a star
Every nigga is a star
Who will deny that you and I and every nigga is a star?
[Verse 2]
I have walked the streets alone
Twenty years I've been on my own
To be hated and despised (Poor nigga)
No one to sympathize (Poor nigga)
But there's one great thing I know
You can say, "I told you so"
They've got a right place in the sun
Where there's love for everyone, and
[Refrain]
Every nigga is a star
Every nigga is a star
Who will deny that you and I and every nigga is a star?
[Post-Refrain]
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
Every nigga's a star (Yeah, yeah, yeah!)
[Bridge]
They've got a right place in the sun
Where there's love for everyone, and
[Refrain]
Every nigga is a star
Every nigga is a star
Who will deny that you and I and every nigga is a star?
[Outro]
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Yes, every nigga is a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Yes, every nigga is a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Yes, every nigga is a star
cannabisanomaly
I'm not sure anymore
Just how it happened before
The places that I knew
Were sunny and blue
I can feel it deep inside
This black nigga's pride
I have no fear when I say
And I say it every day:
[Refrain]
Every nigga is a star
Every nigga is a star
Who will deny that you and I and every nigga is a star?
[Verse 2]
I have walked the streets alone
Twenty years I've been on my own
To be hated and despised (Poor nigga)
No one to sympathize (Poor nigga)
But there's one great thing I know
You can say, "I told you so"
They've got a right place in the sun
Where there's love for everyone, and
[Refrain]
Every nigga is a star
Every nigga is a star
Who will deny that you and I and every nigga is a star?
[Post-Refrain]
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
Every nigga's a star (Yeah, yeah, yeah!)
[Bridge]
They've got a right place in the sun
Where there's love for everyone, and
[Refrain]
Every nigga is a star
Every nigga is a star
Who will deny that you and I and every nigga is a star?
[Outro]
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Yes, every nigga is a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Yes, every nigga is a star
(Bright shining star) Every nigga's a star
(Bright shining star) Yes, every nigga is a star
ReiMourr Power
Thank you Boris Gardiner.
Thank you K.Dot.
Thank you Flying Lotus.
Thank you sampling.
Thank you Hip Hop.
Thank you music.
ReiMourr Power
***** Yes!
ReiMourr Power
Indeed, big up to all Jamaican sound selectors King Jammy etc. Help me out: who's the Reggae artist that may have used the intro to this song with "I'm not sure, anymore..."?
Sean STROMAN
Joel Villarreal thank I Jamaica because without that sound system influence then Kool herc wouldn't have had the party that started this thing called hip hop. Also shout out to the African Drum without that no hip hop also
Lajikal N9NE
ReiMourr Power Super Cat
MR1000101
ReiMourr Power dont forget K-OS
PmcG521
The opening to TPAB was so damn powerful... much like the rest of the album! The production on the entire album is outstanding. Listening to this album feels like you're reading a really good book. Easily as good as, if not better than GKMC.
lukasz wason
Couldn't agree more. Think it is better than gkmc, I think it is easier to relate to and is sonically much more cohesive
PmcG521
*****Β I agree
J Sun
PmcG521Β At first I loved TPAB but still thought GKMC was slightly better. But today I had to do a lot of work so i put the album on and had it on repeat. This album is very deep. I think this is something we rarely see: an artist put out a classic, and then top it with another classic right after it.