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Bunny Wailer was a singer, songwriter and percussionist, born Neville O'Riley Livingston on April 10, 1947 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was founder and an original member of ska, rocksteady and reggae group The Wailers (formed 1963) along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. The young Livingston spent his earliest years in the village of Nine Mile in St. Ann Parish. It was there that he first met Bob Marley, and the two toddlers became fast friends. The boys both came from one parent families; Livingston was being brought up by his father, Marley by his mother. Later, Bunny's father Thaddeus "Toddy" Livingston lived with Bob Marley's mother Cedella Booker and had a daughter with her named Pearl Livingston. Peter Tosh had a son, Andrew Tosh, with another of Bunny's sisters, Shirley, making Andrew his nephew
Livingston was underused as a writer and lead vocalist in The Wailers compared with Marley and Tosh. When Wailers regularly changed producers during the early reggae years in the late 1960s, Livingston continued to be a key part of the group's distinctive harmonies. He sang however lead on "Dreamland" (a cover of El Tempos' My Dream Island, which soon became Bunny's signature song), "Riding High", "Brainwashing" and on one verse of the Wailers' Impressions-like "Keep On Moving", both produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry. In 1971, he recorded the original version of Pass It On
Bunny Wailer toured with the Wailers in England and the United States, but soon became reluctant to leave Jamaica. He and Tosh became more marginalized in the group as the Wailers became an international success, and attention was increasingly focused on Marley. Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh subsequently left the Wailers to pursue solo careers. They were replaced by the I Threes, a move to broaden the base of success for the Wailers in the non-Jamaican market.
After leaving the Wailers, Bunny became more focused on his spiritual faith. He identified with the Rastafari movement, as did the other Wailers. He self-produced a number of his recordings after striking out on his own. He has also written much of his own material as well as re-recording a number of cuts from the Wailers catalogue. Bunny Wailer has recorded primarily in the roots style, in keeping with his often political and spiritual messages. The album "Blackheart Man" is a good example of his roots reggae style and the dub version,Dub d*sco vol 1 equally magnificent if hard to find. "Sings the Wailers" successfully reworks many of The Wailers songs with the backing of top Jamaican musicians, Sly and Robbie. He has also had success recording in the typically apolitical, more pop dancehall style. He has outlived his contemporaries in a culture where death by violence is commonplace.
Bunny Wailer has won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1990, 1994 and 1996.
Bunny Wailer died on 2 March 2021.
ALBUMS WITH ORIGINAL MATERIAL
* ''Blackheart Man'' (1976) [[Island Records|Island]]/Solomonic
* ''Protest'' (1977) Island/Solomonic
* ''Struggle'' (1978) Solomonic
* ''Dubd'sco vol.1'' (1978) Solomonic
* ''In I Father's House'' (1979) Solomonic
* ''Bunny Wailer Sings the Wailers'' (1980) Island/Solomonic
* ''Dubd'sco vol.2'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Rock 'n' Groove'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Tribute'' (1981) Solomonic
* ''Hook Line & Sinker'' (1982) Solomonic
* ''Roots Radics Rockers Reggae'' (1983) [[Shanachie Records|Shanachie]]
* ''Live!'' (1983) Solomonic
* ''Marketplace'' (1985) Solomonic
* ''Rootsman Skanking'' (1987) Shanachie (international re-release of ''Rock And Groove'' edited version plus 3 extra tracks)
* ''Rule Dance Hall'' (1987) Shanachie
* ''Liberation'' (1989) Shanachie
* ''Time Will Tell: A Tribute to Bob Marley'' (1990) Shanachie (international re-release of ''Tribute'' + 2 extra tracks)
* ''Gumption'' (1990) Shanachie
* ''The Never Ending Wailers'' (1991)
* ''Dance Massive'' (1992)
* ''Just Be Nice'' (1993) [[RAS Records|RAS]]
* ''Hall of Fame: A Tribute to Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary'' (1996) RAS
* ''Communication'' (2000) Solomonic/Tuff Gong
* ''World Peace'' (2003) Solomonic
* ''Rub A Dub'' (2007) Solomonic
* ''Cross Culture'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Combinations Vol.1'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Blackheart Man (Remastered & Extended)'' (2009) Solomonic
* ''Reincarnated Souls'' (2013), VP - 3CD + 2DVD set
Conqueror
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Acting like a Corgan
Be careful how you doing all about
And pretending you′re a dragon
I am the conqueror
Conquering I am to conquer
I am the conqueror
Craving at the Juocube
Just look how you absorbing
Never see come see
Time to thee
All you bum to get a bribing
From the conqueror
Conquering I'm to conquer
I am the conqueror
Some call I that a master
If you are bull book
I′m a duppy conqueror
And duppy nu hu the frighten
When a lion is a resting
Never you try to wake him
I am the conqueror
Conquering I'm to conquer
I am the conqueror
Some call I that a master
Just mind how you run up your mouth
Acting like a Corgan
Be careful how you going all about
And acting like a dragon
I am the conqueror
Conquering I'm to conquer
I am the conqueror
Some call I that a master
The lyrics to Bunny Wailer's song "Conqueror" speak to the idea of power and control, and how one must be careful not to let it go to their head. The opening lines warn against boasting and talking too much, urging the listener to be mindful of their words and actions. The comparison to a dragon suggests that this behavior is reckless and dangerous, like a mythical creature that can wreak havoc when provoked.
The chorus, which repeats the phrase "I am the conqueror," suggests a sense of ownership and authority. The use of the word "conqueror" evokes images of battles and victories, and emphasizes the idea that the singer is in control. However, the final line of each chorus, which describes the singer as a "master," suggests that this control is not just over others, but over oneself. The ability to conquer one's own weaknesses and shortcomings may be the true measure of power.
The rest of the lyrics continue to play with the themes of power and control. The line "craving at the Juocube" suggests a desire for something that is not easily attainable, while "all you bum to get a bribing" implies that some people will resort to unethical means to achieve their goals. The final verse brings in the idea of fear, contrasting the singer's strength with the vulnerability of those who would dare to challenge them.
Overall, the lyrics to "Conqueror" convey the idea that power must be wielded carefully, and that true strength comes not just from dominating others, but from mastering oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Just mind how you run up mouth
Be aware of what you say and who you say it to
Acting like a Corgan
Behaving arrogantly or recklessly, like a fool
Be careful how you doing all about
Be cautious of your actions and their consequences
And pretending you′re a dragon
Acting as if you are invincible or powerful
I am the conqueror
I hold great power and will overcome any obstacle
Conquering I am to conquer
I am determined to succeed and will continue to conquer
Some call I that a master
Some refer to me as a leader or expert in my field
Craving at the Juocube
Desiring material possessions that won't bring lasting happiness
Just look how you absorbing
Be aware of what you consume and its impact on your mind and body
Never see come see
Ignoring the signs of trouble that lie ahead
Time to thee
It's time to face reality
All you bum to get a bribing
Trying to get gains by being dishonest or unethical
If you are bull book
If you are a liar or a fake
I′m a duppy conqueror
I am skilled at defeating my enemies
Duppy nu hu the frighten
Ghosts don't scare me, implying no one can intimidate me either
When a lion is a resting
Don't disturb someone who is powerful and dangerous, let them rest
Never you try to wake him
Don't provoke or challenge someone who has great strength or authority
Writer(s): Livingston Neville O Riley
Contributed by Ava P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@josephmarigi8274
R.I.P
Gonga like kama umeguswa na kifo cha huyu legend wa reggae bunny weiler
Conqueror
Pumzika kwa Amani
@naommwangi2869
Rip legend Bunny from Rasta lady in 🇰🇪
@pauljaoko7268
Usito tupu
@nicholasosanya2329
Burny the conqueror
@richardndegwa2615
Rest in Peace Legend.In Kenya we celebrate you Conquerer.
@carpetskamukunji1443
Rest easy much love from Kenya
@CarlottaEn
End of an era. You came, you sang, you conquered. RIP Bunny. Monuments should be erected in your name.
@waruiwawanjiru6568
R.I.P HERO... condolence s from +254 Kenya
@wilhaldasima6729
RIP legend, your songs will remain in the generations to come. 😭😭
@sejeza1
Shine on legend. Your message will forever live on.