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.
Guilty
Boris Gardiner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The trial is over -- and now -- I face the end
Is this your way -- of telling me -- we're through?
When -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
You were the judge -- the jury -- all in one
You found me -- guilty -- and now- my term's begun
I must confess -- I've never been -- untrue
And all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
Losing you -- for things -- I didn't do
Please -- lift your heart -- consider - and appeal
For now -- you know -- exactly -- how I feel
Don't punish me -- for things -- I didn't do
For -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
Yes -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
All -- I'm guilty of -- is loving you
The lyrics of Boris Gardiner's "Guilty" express the pain of being falsely accused and convicted of a crime, in this case, the crime of love. The singer compares themselves to a defendant in a trial, facing the consequences of being found guilty for something they did not do. The person they are addressing is portrayed as both the judge and jury who have condemned them. Despite their protestations of innocence, they have been sentenced and must now face the consequences of their supposed transgressions.
The theme of the song centers around the accusation of being guilty for simply loving someone. It speaks to the confusion and disbelief that can come when someone you care deeply for abandons you without giving you the chance to explain or defend yourself. The use of legal and judicial language serves to heighten the sense of injustice and the pain inflicted by the person who has wrongly accused and rejected the singer. Ultimately, the chorus of “all I'm guilty of is loving you” serves as a powerful plea for understanding, compassion, and forgiveness; the singer asks to be granted the reprieve that they know they deserve.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been accused -- convicted -- and condemned
I have been blamed, declared guilty, and sentenced to punishment
The trial is over -- and now -- I face the end
The legal proceedings have ended, and I have to face the consequences
Is this your way -- of telling me -- we're through?
Are you conveying through this method that our relationship is over?
When -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
The only crime I have committed is loving you
You were the judge -- the jury -- all in one
You played the roles of the judge and the jury at the same time
You found me -- guilty -- and now- my term's begun
You pronounced me guilty, and now my sentence has started
I must confess -- I've never been -- untrue
I admit that I have never been dishonest
And all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
The only mistake I have made is loving you
(Oh baby) Loving you -- and now -- I'm losing you
I loved you, and now I am losing you
Losing you -- for things -- I didn't do
I am losing you for things that I did not do
Please -- lift your heart -- consider - and appeal
I implore you to open your heart, reconsider, and request a revision
For now -- you know -- exactly -- how I feel
At this moment, you understand precisely how I feel
Don't punish me -- for things -- I didn't do
Please do not penalize me for things I haven't done
For -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
Because the only fault I possess is loving you
Yes -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
Indeed, the only wrongdoing I'm accountable for is loving you
All -- I'm guilty of -- is loving you
Simply put, the only guilt I have is loving you.
Writer(s): JAMAL KELLY, STACY SCARLETT, KIRK EAZY, STACEY SCARLETT
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
SAMOA FOREVER
LYRICS:
I've been accused -- convicted -- and condemned
The trial is over -- and now -- I face the end
Is this your way -- of telling me -- we're through?
When -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
You were the judge -- the jury -- all in one
You found me -- guilty -- and now- my term's begun
I must confess -- I've never been -- untrue
And all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
(Oh baby) Loving you -- and now -- I'm losing you
Losing you -- for things -- I didn't do
Please -- lift your heart -- consider - and appeal
For now -- you know -- exactly -- how I feel
Don't punish me -- for things -- I didn't do
For -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
Yes -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
All -- I'm guilty of -- is loving you
SAMOA FOREVER
LYRICS:
I've been accused -- convicted -- and condemned
The trial is over -- and now -- I face the end
Is this your way -- of telling me -- we're through?
When -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
You were the judge -- the jury -- all in one
You found me -- guilty -- and now- my term's begun
I must confess -- I've never been -- untrue
And all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
(Oh baby) Loving you -- and now -- I'm losing you
Losing you -- for things -- I didn't do
Please -- lift your heart -- consider - and appeal
For now -- you know -- exactly -- how I feel
Don't punish me -- for things -- I didn't do
For -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
Yes -- all I'm guilty of -- is loving you
All -- I'm guilty of -- is loving you
Carmen Noel
Beautiful Lyrics gorgeous Music, those words are quite amazing and touching.🍰♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Michael Maughan
One of the best reggae songs I know.
I feel the love in this song ❤️
Keith Samuels
Oh my goodness what a lovely beautiful song by Mr Gardiner. Wonderful singer.
Antoine JeromeOliver
Ohhh the memories, my mum used to play this all the time. It's a nice song, but when my mum used to play it back to back, it became annoying. Playing it now in May 2017 with pure love and nostalgia. Thanks for posting.
joy9030
Love this tune its absolutely lovely, thanks for posting.
constance small
He is such a cool singer I just love his soft voice
Vikki Smith
I haven't heard this song is in a long time and all my guilty heart is loving it.
Michael Fitz Lobban
Boris is is the best!!! I've being listening to Boris Gardiner ever since i was a young boy! untill now. The best !!
Khadija # Bah 19
Love this song so much I play everyday