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.
Love Sponge
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
Lord you are lovable, kissable
Desire the inevitable
Without your sweet caress I'm so damn miserable
Touch your finesse, feel the fur of your coat
Seen you walk away saying my eyes in smoke
You are dressible, lookable
All the man dem after yuh
They claim you do something they just can't explain
To the brain
Your man shouldn't have no complain
Oh no
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
Hey slow motion is the way for us to enjoy the day
Always taking time to listen what she got to say
She thinks I be spending too much time on the beat
I try to make her over stand that's how we eat
Darling don't quarrel with me, it hurts too easily
Don't be messed up by silly tendency
No no way
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
She mek a caan forget about the hugging and squeezing
Ah feel as if I'm upside down in the ceiling
Confess, this girl is the ultimate thing
What it means to be loved, no need asking
Swing baby swing, while I continue sing
Your favorite song
Lets go dancing
Hey
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
In Buju Banton's song Love Sponge, the singer uses the metaphor of a "love sponge" to describe the overwhelming feeling of love and affection he feels for his romantic partner. The opening lines of the song speak directly to this feeling, expressing surprise that he did not know that love could feel so good. The repetition of the title phrase "lovers choice" reinforces the idea that love is a choice and something that the singer actively chooses every day. He expresses that he doesn't want to let his partner go and that with her he is in no hurry, emphasizing the importance of patience and enjoying the moment.
The second verse of the song expands on the singer's love for his partner, describing her as "lovable, kissable" and someone who brings him happiness and comfort. He speaks to her physical attractiveness as well as her character, saying that all the men are after her because of the way she makes them feel. He emphasizes the importance of good communication and understanding in their relationship, mentioning that slow motion is the way for them to enjoy their time together and that listening to his partner is a priority for him. The bridge of the song repeats the idea that their love is the "ultimate thing" and that it is something worth celebrating and dancing to.
Overall, the song Love Sponge is a celebration of love and the joy that it brings to the singer's life. The metaphor of the "love sponge" and the repetition of the title phrase emphasize the importance of actively choosing to love and appreciate one's partner, while the specific details in the lyrics highlight the specific things that the singer loves about his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
This one is called lovers choice
The song is called 'Lovers Choice'.
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I didn't know you would feel so good, my love, like a sponge soaking up all the love I give you.
I don't want to let you go
I don't want to leave you, my love.
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
When I'm with you, I don't feel the need to hurry, my love.
Lord you are lovable, kissable
My love, you are irresistible in every way.
Desire the inevitable
I can't help but desire you, it's inevitable.
Without your sweet caress I'm so damn miserable
If I don't have your touch and comfort, I'll be very unhappy.
Touch your finesse, feel the fur of your coat
I want to touch and feel every inch of you, my love, like feeling the fur on a soft coat.
Seen you walk away saying my eyes in smoke
When you walk away, it's hard to see you go, my love, and my eyes get teary like smoke.
You are dressible, lookable
You are always looking good, my love.
All the man dem after yuh
All the other men want you, my love.
They claim you do something they just can't explain To the brain
They can't explain why they are so attracted to you, my love.
Your man shouldn't have no complain
You should have no complaints about me, my love.
Hey slow motion is the way for us to enjoy the day
Taking it slow is the way for us to enjoy our time together, my love.
Always taking time to listen what she got to say
I always take the time to listen to what you have to say, my love.
She thinks I be spending too much time on the beat
You think I spend too much time working, my love.
I try to make her over stand that's how we eat
I try to make you understand that working hard is how we make a living, my love.
Darling don't quarrel with me, it hurts too easily
My love, please don't argue with me, it hurts me too easily.
Don't be messed up by silly tendency
Don't let silly things ruin our relationship, my love.
She mek a caan forget about the hugging and squeezing
You make me forget about everything else when we hug and cuddle, my love.
Ah feel as if I'm upside down in the ceiling
I feel like I'm on top of the world when I'm with you, my love.
Confess, this girl is the ultimate thing
I must confess, you are the ultimate thing, my love.
What it means to be loved, no need asking
I know what it means to be loved because of you, my love.
Swing baby swing, while I continue sing Your favorite song Lets go dancing Hey
Let's dance together while I sing your favorite song, my love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CLEMENT DODD, DONOVAN GERMAIN, MARK ANTHONY MYRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jesse Garza
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
Lord you are lovable, kissable
Desire the inevitable
Without your sweet caress I'm so damn miserable
Touch your finesse, feel the fur of your coat
Seen you walk away saying my eyes in smoke
You are dressible, lookable
All the man dem after yuh
They claim you do something they just can't explain
To the brain
Your man shouldn't have no complain
Oh no
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
Hey slow motion is the way for us to enjoy the day
Always taking time to listen what she got to say
She thinks I be spending too much time on the beat
I try to make her over stand that's how we eat
Darling don't quarrel with me, it hurts too easily
Don't be messed up by silly tendency
No no way
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
She mek a caan forget about the hugging and squeezing
Ah feel as if I'm upside down in the ceiling
Confess, this girl is the ultimate thing
What it means to be loved, no need asking
Swing baby swing, while I continue sing
Your favorite song
Lets go dancing
Hey
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
This one is called lovers choice
Never know yuh woulda really feel so nice, love sponge
I don't want to let you go
With you I'm in no hurry (oh no)
DMills
This is one of my most favorite songs. Gives me the very best vibes. ❤❤❤ much love Buju. Big up yourself.
P.A L.O
There is not one single person that I showed this song. That did not enjoy it. Thank you Buju for bringing this masterpiece in my life.
Portals Of Samadhi Production
One of the best reggae dancehall tracks of all time✌🏾
Smilus
Yep!!!
Naomi Henry
This song completely lifted my spirit.. free Buju
Belle Cassie
O
Brittny Lacroix
Naomi Henry in a few days peace and love ❤️
Julius Balliah
He's free
Monique Robinson
Naomi Henry makes being married marvelous
Weida Ingram
Big ups to Buju B