As a youngster, Buju would often watch his favourite artists perform at outdoor shows and local dancehalls. At the tender age of 13 he picked up the microphone for himself and began toasting under the monicker of "Gargamel". His first single, "The Ruler" was released not long afterwards in 1987 under the production of Robert French at Penthouse Studios.
In 1991, Buju joined Donovan Germain's Penthouse Label and began a fruitful partnership with producer Dave Kelly. Buju is one of the most popular musicians in Jamaican history, having burst onto the charts there suddenly in 1992, with "Bogle" and "Love Me Browning/Love Black Woman", both massive hits in Jamaica. Controversy erupted over Love Me Browning which spoke of Banton's preference for light-skinned women: "Mi love mi car mi love mi house mi love mi money and ting, but most of all mi love mi browning." Some accused Banton of promoting a colonialist attitude and denigrating the beauty of black women. In response, he released "Black Woman" which spoke of his love for dark-skinned beauties: "Stop cry, fi all black woman, respect all the gyals with dark complexion." 1992 was an explosive year for Buju as he broke the great Bob Marley's record for the greatest number of number one singles in a year. Beginning with "Man fi Dead", Buju's gruff voice dominated the Jamaican airwaves for the duration of the year. Banton's debut album, Mr. Mention, includes his greatest hits from that year.
1992 was also the year in which the controversy over Buju's homophobic "Boom Bye Bye" exploded. The media in Great Britain picked up on Buju's less than admirable promotion of violence against homosexuals. Myrie, who had recently signed with Mercury records, refused to back down from his stance against homosexuals, claiming his religious beliefs prevented him from accepting homosexuality. Banton downplayed the violent content of his song, claiming that it was metaphorical. Gay Rights groups campaigned against Buju as well as Shabba Ranks who, when asked about the controversy on the British show The Word, stated, "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." Shabba later apologized, but Buju refused to back down which drew the ire of various homosexual advocacy groups who continue to campaign against him.
Banton released the hard-hitting Voice of Jamaica in 1993. The album included a number of conscious tracks. These tracks included "Deportees" a song which criticized those Jamaicans who went abroad but never sent money home, a remix of Little Roy's "Tribal War", a sharp condemnation of political violence, and "Willy, Don't Be Silly" which promoted condom use. The conscious spin of this disc did little to stop the attacks of gay rights groups who felt that his continued performance of "Boom Bye Bye" was a slap in their faces. Some dancehall fans felt that Banton could have exploded onto the American scene if his homophobic song hadn't held him back. Nevertheless, Buju was adopted by many new fans who appreciated his gravelly vocals and cared little about his homophobia.
Til Shiloh (1995) was a very influential album, using a studio band instead of synthesized music, and marking a slight shift away from dancehall towards roots reggae for Banton. Buju turned Rasta and his new album reflected his new beliefs. Til Shiloh is one of the greatest dancehall albums of all time and successfully blended conscious lyrics with a hard-hitting dancehall vibe. The album included a single called "Murderer" which condemned the violence in Jamaican dancehall music, inspired by the murders of dancehall musicians Panhead and Dirtsman. The song inspired several clubs to stop playing songs with excessively violent subject matter. This conscious album had a large impact on dancehall music and showed the hunger the dancehall massive had for conscious lyrics. Dancehall music did not move away from slack and violent lyrics, but the album did pave the way for a greater spirituality within the music.
Inna Heights (1997) substantially increased Banton's international audience as Buju explored his singing ability and recorded a number of roots-tinged tracks. Banton covered The Silvertones' "Destiny" and recorded songs with such artists as Beres Hammond and the legendary Toots Hibbert. The album was well-received but had distribution problems. Also, some fans were disappointed, having hoped for another ground-breaking album like "Til Shiloh." Still, Buju's experimentation and soaring vocals impressed many fans and this album remains a highly regarded work.
In 1998, Buju met the punk band Rancid and recorded two tracks with them: "Misty Days" and "Life Won't Wait." The latter became the title track of Rancid's 1999 album, Life Won't Wait. Subsequently, Buju signed with Rancid's eclectic Anti, a subsidiary of Epitaph and released Unchained Spirit in 2000.
In March 2003 he released Friends for Life, which featured more sharply political songs, including "Mr. Nine", an anti-gun song that further verified his status as one of reggae's most anti-confrontational artists.
Banton's 2006 album Too Bad got him nominated for a second Grammy but despite the album's brilliance and artistic excellence "Too Bad" did not garner the award. "Too Bad" brings us back to the Buju of the nineties with his rough phenomenal voice backed by hypnotic beats and conscious lyrics that seem to stay on repeat in your head. "Too Bad" is a complete listen from start to finish and is an extra success because the Gargamel executive produced the album on his own label.
On April 21, 2009, Buju released the often delayed album Rasta Got Soul. This is Banton's ninth album and features the hit single Magic City. This release sees Buju returning to roots and culture reggae. The album received a Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category.
As of December 2009, Buju allegedly attempted to buy cocaine from an undercover officer in Miami and faces up to life in prison if convicted. The trial of Banton began on September 20, 2010 in Tampa, Florida.
Have To Get You Tonight
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not even sweat we sweat
Woman don′t fret, everyting is more than cauposet
Hear weh we tell di gal dem weh look good, hear weh we say
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh body even by gun fight
Gal mi serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Yuh walk right, talk right nuh bother mention polite
Woman yuh like roses inna mi eye sight
Charisma and charm gal yuh character warm
Prettiest gal mi ever see from mi born
What's di matter whatta gwan,tell me whats up
I ah look yuh from dem say Whoppi did kill Phillip
But true things never right yuh nuh want hug mi up
Ah walk and ah model and yuh chest yuh push up
But mi haffi get yuh body even by stick up
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh body even by gun fight
Gal mi serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh, hear why
Cause I came and I saw and I bound to conquer
Run weh di lickle man offa′ di verandah
Cause yuh a my girl from birth him ah trespasser
Tell him fi get none, cause di Banton deyah
Mi ah look yuh from mi 18 sumting and now is 19 sumting
And if di Banton don't get yuh inna him arms
Woman ah big big sinting
Mi say mi serious I'm not joking
Look at mi teeth dem if dem ah grin
Gal yuh will never get to heaven if yuh break my heart
And that′s a big big sin
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh body even by gun fight
Gal mi serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh, hear why
Don′t say that I'm fool, neither stupid
For you I will climb a macca tree naked
Jump fourty thousand fence, cross a cliff without a bridge
Feed yuh water crackers and cornmeal porridge
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh body even by
Woman mi seh mi serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh, hear why
Cause some man
Promise yuh dis and some promise yuh dat
Promise yuh diamond an golden watch
All Buju Banton have is so so comfort
Woman yuh want that just check mi to di max
48-14, di Banton a chat
TOUCH MICROPHONE DI PLACE POP DOWN FLAT
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh body even by gun fight
Gal mi serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh, hear why
Yuh walk right, talk right nuh bother mention polite
Woman yuh like roses inna mi eye sight
Charisma and charm gal yuh character warm
Prettiest gal mi ever see from mi born
What′s di matter whatta gwan,tell me whats up
I ah look yuh from dem say Whoppi did kill Phillip
But true things never right yuh nuh want hug mi up
Ah walk and ah model and yuh chest yuh push up
But mi haffi get yuh body even by stick up
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh body even by gun fight
Gal mi serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh, hear why
Cause I came and I saw and I bound to conquer
Run weh di lickle man offa' di verandah
Cause yuh a my girl from birth him ah trespasser
Tell him fi get none, cause di Banton deyah
Mi ah look yuh from mi 18 sumting and now is 19 sumting
And if di Banton don′t get yuh inna him arms
Woman ah big big sinting
Mi say mi serious I'm not joking
Look at mi teeth dem if dem ah grin
Gal yuh will never get to heaven if yuh break my heart
And that′s a big big sin
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh body even by gun fight
Gal mi serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh, hear why
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh body even by gun fight
Gal mi serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
Haffi get yuh, hear why
The lyrics of Buju Banton's song Have To Get You Tonight seem to describe a man who is determined to get the woman he desires no matter what. He talks about how men cry for women and don't even sweat for them, indicating that they don't put in any effort to win them over. He reassures the woman that everything is okay and that whatever she desires, he can provide. He compliments her beauty and character and how he has been admiring her since he was 18.
The man also talks about staring at the woman from a distance, even when others told him to give up, he persisted. He is willing to do anything to get her, even if it means climbing a macca tree naked, jumping over 40 thousand fences, and crossing a cliff without a bridge. He makes a joke about offering her water crackers and cornmeal porridge, indicating that he is willing to give her anything she desires.
The chorus itself insists that he is serious about taking the woman to bed and ensuring that she is his. He says that he will even fight for her if he has to use a gun. He also warns the woman that breaking his heart is a deadly sin that she would regret.
Line by Line Meaning
To how we cry fi di girls dem
We express our strong desire for women.
Not even sweat we sweat
Our efforts are effortless, we do not exert ourselves in the pursuit of women.
Woman don′t fret, everyting is more than cauposet
Women should not worry, everything is under control and they will be well taken care of.
Hear weh we tell di gal dem weh look good, hear weh we say
Listen to what we tell the attractive women, pay attention to our words.
Gal me serious mi haffi get yuh tonight
I am very serious about getting you tonight.
Haffi get yuh body even by gun fight
I will do whatever it takes, even if it means fighting with a gun to get you physically.
Yuh walk right, talk right nuh bother mention polite
You have a great demeanor and don't even need to mention your politeness.
Woman yuh like roses inna mi eye sight
You are visually pleasing to me, like a beautiful rose in my sight.
Charisma and charm gal yuh character warm
You have an alluring personality that makes you very attractive.
Prettiest gal mi ever see from mi born
You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life.
What's di matter whatta gwan,tell me whats up
What's wrong, what's happening, tell me what's going on.
I ah look yuh from dem say Whoppi did kill Phillip
I have been interested in you for a long time, even before the incident where Whoppi killed Phillip.
But true things never right yuh nuh want hug mi up
Even though we have been interested in each other for a while, we have never hugged each other before.
Ah walk and ah model and yuh chest yuh push up
You walk and model in a way that accentuates your chest.
But mi haffi get yuh body even by stick up
I am determined to get your body, even if it means using force and intimidation.
Cause I came and I saw and I bound to conquer
I am confident in my abilities, and I have come here to win you over.
Run weh di lickle man offa′ di verandah
I will get rid of any competition or men who may interfere with my pursuit of you.
Cause yuh a my girl from birth him ah trespasser
You have always been mine, anyone else trying to claim you is an intruder and trespasser.
Tell him fi get none, cause di Banton deyah
Tell him to leave you alone, because Buju Banton is here and will take care of you.
Mi ah look yuh from mi 18 sumting and now is 19 sumting
I have been interested in you since I was 18 years old and now I am 19 years old.
And if di Banton don't get yuh inna him arms
If I am not able to have you in my arms.
Woman ah big big sinting
It will be a big mistake on your part.
Mi say mi serious I'm not joking
I am very serious, and not joking around.
Look at mi teeth dem if dem ah grin
Look at my teeth, if they are showing, it means I am serious.
Gal yuh will never get to heaven if yuh break my heart
If you break my heart, you will not go to heaven.
And that's a big big sin
It is a very big mistake to break my heart.
Don't say that I'm fool, neither stupid
Do not refer to me as foolish or stupid.
For you I will climb a macca tree naked
I am willing to do anything for you, even climb a tree naked.
Jump fourty thousand fence, cross a cliff without a bridge
I am willing to take any risk and overcome any obstacle for you.
Feed yuh water crackers and cornmeal porridge
I am willing to provide for you and take care of you even if it means giving you simple food like crackers and porridge.
Cause some man
Some men.
Promise yuh dis and some promise yuh dat
Other men may promise you this or that.
Promise yuh diamond an golden watch
They may promise you expensive jewelry and watches.
All Buju Banton have is so so comfort
All I have to give you is comfort and care.
Woman yuh want that just check mi to di max
If you want that kind of love and care, just look at me and what I have to offer.
48-14, di Banton a chat
I am Buju Banton, and I am speaking my mind.
TOUCH MICROPHONE DI PLACE POP DOWN FLAT
My speech is so powerful that it will cause the microphone to crash and fall.
Writer(s): Dave Kelly, Mark Anthony Myrie
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arayah Ban Yasharalah
2020 and this still the MOST Hype dancehall chune!!
Lea Taylor
2022 and still is 🔥
niss harley
@Lea Taylor100%%%
Michelle Carr
great song
Mickey Needle fingers
Hope when them stick you up fi tek what's not their's you tell them seh great job and just open up and tek it...or if your son do it and them send him a prison you visit him and seh great job son well done!!!
Don Goliath
One good thing about Corona: I've been mad busy in the studio and got several new 90s Dancehall riddims ready. Come check 'em.
Lea Taylor
Thanks, will have a look now. Love my old school 💯
Colleen Brown
Growing up listening to this song no prob… now I am traumatized by the lyrics… 2022!
Marlice Webb
Yall know this song is glorifying right??
Leroy Faulknor
Buju is one of my favorite dancehall artists, but I must condemn this track