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.
Poor Old Man
Buju Banton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shooba, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
There was once an old man, who lived all alone
All through out his life, no happiness have he had known
Now with tears in his eyes, he watches as folks passes by
Walking hand in hand with love
Walking hand in hand with love
Now said, I read a letter, poor old woman say
Trying to express how much she needed help
Her loneliness, no sweet caress
No tenderness, she needed some help
Babe, young, the elderly they all want love
Good loviduby mi say kiss and hug
That fill up the cup, mi say dat full di the mug
Overflow to the brim, mi say, like water jug
Woman dem a bubble up, need a little cuddle up
Nah tek nuh fubble up, hardcore a double up
Anywhere we go dancehall a fi nice up
When this one play feel it, yeah
It's the order of the day, you can't deny it, no way
When dis one play, you feel it, yeah
When will they meet? Poor old woman say
When will they greet? Poor old woman say
Her loneliness is the message that she sends
And all she need is one good faithfull friend
That will make her smile again
Throughout her life there is nothing but misery
Upstairs and downstairs, roller coaster tragedy
All kind a things, mi say none she never fancy
When yu chek it out, it was all topsy turvey
Gwan Buju Banton yu pattern is ever irie
Anywhere you go dem call yu Mr. Mark Myrie
And when they're having problems
They think that we can solve them
Who they're having problems
They think that we can solve them
She cried, help me please, poor old woman say
Some company, poor old woman say
In sympathy, she asked me for some help
To find some one to share her loneliness
She said, she can't go on like this
There was once an old man, who lived all alone
All through out his life, no happiness have he had known
Now with tears in his eyes, he watches as folks passes by
Walking hand in hand with love
Walking hand in hand with love
Such loneliness, poor old woman say
Nah, can't forget, poor old woman say
In sympathy, she asked me for some help
To find some one to share her loneliness
She said, she needs something better than this...
Buju Banton's song "Poor Old Man" is a song that depicts the struggles of an elderly gentleman and an elderly woman who have spent most of their lives in constant sorrow and loneliness. The song starts with the narration of the old man who has never known happiness in his life, and he is forced to watch other people getting affection and love from their loved ones.
The lyrics progress, and the story changes to a poor old woman who writes a letter about her loneliness and unhappiness. The woman expresses her need for someone that can fill the emptiness in her life, and all she wants is a faithful and good friend. The chorus highlights that everyone, regardless of age, needs love and affection, from kisses and hugs to cuddles.
The song is an interpretation of the importance of love, compassion, and human connection, regardless of age. It shows that everyone needs someone, and no one should be left to suffer in silence. The lyrics highlight the struggles of the elderly, who often go unnoticed, and their need for company and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Say, there were lonely a man even than before...
Once there was a man, who was very lonely throughout his life
There was once an old man, who lived all alone
The man lived his life in isolation
All through out his life, no happiness have he had known
He had never experienced happiness in his life
Now with tears in his eyes, he watches as folks passes by
He gets emotional as he sees couples walking hand in hand
Walking hand in hand with love
Couples have found love but he has not
Now said, I read a letter, poor old woman say
He has received a letter from a lonely woman
Trying to express how much she needed help
She has pleaded for help to overcome her loneliness
Her loneliness, no sweet caress
The woman has no one to show affection towards her
No tenderness, she needed some help
The woman requires someone to be kind and understanding towards her
Babe, young, the elderly they all want love
Everyone desires to be loved, irrespective of age
Good loviduby mi say kiss and hug
Physical intimacy is one way of showing love
That fill up the cup, mi say dat full di the mug
Love can overflow and fill one's life with joy
Overflow to the brim, mi say, like water jug
Love can fill one's life to the point of overflowing
Woman dem a bubble up, need a little cuddle up
Women too crave for affection and warmth
Nah tek nuh fubble up, hardcore a double up
They will not settle for anything less and require more love
Anywhere we go dancehall a fi nice up
Dancehalls are perfect places to find love and companionship
When this one play feel it, yeah
Music can evoke emotions and relate to one's life situations
It's the order of the day, you can't deny it, no way
Love is an essential part of life, denying it would be foolish
When dis one play, you feel it, yeah
Music has the power to touch people's hearts
When will they meet? Poor old woman say
The woman wonders when she will find someone to share her life with
When will they greet? Poor old woman say
She yearns to meet someone who would be her companion
Her loneliness is the message that she sends
The letter is a cry for help to overcome her loneliness
And all she need is one good faithfull friend
She desires someone who can be a true friend and share her life with
That will make her smile again
A person who can bring joy to her life
Upstairs and downstairs, roller coaster tragedy
Her life has been full of ups and downs, with tragic moments
All kind a things, mi say none she never fancy
In spite of all that has happened, she has not given up on her desire for love
When yu chek it out, it was all topsy turvey
Her life has been chaotic and disorderly
Gwan Buju Banton yu pattern is ever irie
Buju Banton's music gives a soothing and uplifting feeling
Anywhere you go dem call yu Mr. Mark Myrie
Banton is recognized as an artist with great music across the world
And when they're having problems
People think of him when they are in need of help
They think that we can solve them
People have faith in his ability to help them overcome their issues
She cried, help me please, poor old woman say
The woman desperately needs help to overcome her loneliness
Some company, poor old woman say
All she desires is the company of someone who loves her
In sympathy, she asked me for some help
Buju Banton was asked for help by the woman
To find some one to share her loneliness
The woman is seeking someone to share her life with
She said, she can't go on like this
She has given up on living a lonely life and needs help to find happiness
Such loneliness, poor old woman say
The woman's loneliness is making her suffer
Nah, can't forget, poor old woman say
She cannot forget her loneliness and needs to overcome it
She said, she needs something better than this...
The woman desires for a better life filled with love and happiness
Contributed by Emily K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yuran Ricardo
on Fake Smile
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If there’s a choking problem she a reach with everyone
why acting dumb. second verse:
with your cynical green
you leave no action
If you have a choking problems she a reach with everyone
why acting dumb
Kern Rodney
on Fake Smile
If there's ah joke in progress share it with everyone, why acting dumb?