Cool Runnings
Bunny Wailer (born as Neville Livingston on 10 April 1947 in Kingston, Jama… Read Full Bio ↴Bunny Wailer (born as Neville Livingston on 10 April 1947 in Kingston, Jamaica-2 March 2021) was a three-time Grammy Award winner, singer, percussionist and devoted Rastafarian, known for the reggae classic Dreamland. He is founding member of reggae group The Wailers with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Bunny, Marley's step brother, toured with the band in England and USA after the success with the 1973 albums Catch A Fire and Burnin', but meant it was against Rastafari to perform for almost only white people and left Wailers 1973. He then made a number of solo reggae albums. Blackheart Man (1976) is a good example of his religious roots reggae, and Rock 'n' Groove (1981) of solid uptempo Sly & Robbie based reggae. He started to tour internationally again and is regarded as one of the most important reggae artists ever. Bunny Wailer has won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1991, 1995 and 1997.
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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

Cool Runnings
Bunny Wailer Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you ride in
'Cause this here session is vital

Check scene
Come on and ride in
I said you bide in
'Cause this ya riddim is I-tal

And it's a cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice
Tell you it's a cool runnings
De riddim a go drip like sugar and spice
Say now, cool runnings
Jus' rock with your deeta all night long
I say now, cool runnings
While the disk jockey play your fav'right song

Hey now, rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you riding
'Cause this riddim is vital

Check scene
Come on and groom(?) in
I said you ride in
'Cause this ya session invital

And it's a cool runnings
We all a go rock 'til broad day light
Singin' cool runnings
Me I-dren we nuh need no fuss nor fight
I say now, cool runnings
Say long, long time we nuh have no nice time
Yeah, cool runnings
Says rock to the riddim and the drum and bassline
Yeah, yeah


Rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you Ride in
'Cause this session is vital

And it's a cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice
Tell you it's a cool runnings
De riddim a go drip like sugar and spice
Say now, cool runnings
Jus' rock with your deeta all night long
I say now, cool runnings
While the disk jockey play your fav'right song
Say now, cool runnings
People spreading joy all over de place
I say now, cool runnings
With a smile upon the promotor's face
I say now, cool runnings
It's dawnin' of day at the gates
I say now, cool runnings
The gate man is beckoning "don't be late"




I say now, cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice.......

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bunny Wailer's song "Cool Runnings" describe a scene in a dancehall where people are urged to join in and enjoy the music. The terms "rope in," "tune in," and "ride in" all encourage participation and a sense of unity among those present. The language used in the song suggests a Rastafarian influence, with words like "I-tal" referring to the concept of natural and unprocessed foods that are seen as being spiritually pure.


The repeated chorus of "cool runnings" evokes a sense of easy enjoyment and relaxed vibes, with the "riddim" or rhythm of the music being compared to the sweetness of "sugar and spice." The lyrics also speak to the idea of a larger community coming together to spread joy, with a smile on the promoter's face and people enjoying themselves until dawn.


Line by Line Meaning

Rope in
Join us


Come on and tune in
Listen carefully


I said you ride in
Join the party


'Cause this here session is vital
This party is important


Check scene
Look around


Come on and ride in
Get yourself in here


I said you bide in
Stay and enjoy the music


'Cause this ya riddim is I-tal
This music is pure and authentic


And it's a cool runnings
This is a great party


I know dancehall a go nice
Dancehall music is always great


Tell you it's a cool runnings
Trust me, this party is great


De riddim a go drip like sugar and spice
The music is sweet and funky


Say now, cool runnings
This is a great party


Jus' rock with your deeta all night long
Dance all night with your friends


While the disk jockey play your fav'right song
Enjoy the songs you love most


People spreading joy all over de place
Everyone is happy and joyful


With a smile upon the promotor's face
The promoter is happy


It's dawnin' of day at the gates
It's almost sunrise


The gate man is beckoning "don't be late"
The gatekeeper is reminding everyone to leave on time




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: NEVILLE ORIL LIVINGSTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@J0hnC0ltrane

LYRICS - COOL RUNNING
(Bunny Wailer)

Rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you ride in
'Cause this here session is vital

Check scene
Come on and ride in
I said you bide in
'Cause this ya riddim is I-tal

And it's a cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice
Tell you it's a cool runnings
De riddim a go drip like sugar and spice
Say now, cool runnings
Jus' rock with your deeta all night long
I say now, cool runnings
While the disk jockey play your fav'rite song

Hey now, rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you riding
'Cause this riddim is vital

Check scene
Come on and groom(?) in
I said you ride in
'Cause this ya session invital

And it's a cool runnings
We all a go rock 'til broad day light
Singin' cool runnings
Me I-dren we nuh need no fuss nor fight
I say now, cool runnings
Say long, long time we nuh have no nice time
Yeah, cool runnings
Says rock to the riddim and the drum and bassline
Yeah, yeah

Rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you Ride in
'Cause this session is vital

And it's a cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice
Tell you it's a cool runnings
De riddim a go drip like sugar and spice
Say now, cool runnings
Jus' rock with your deeta all night long
I say now, cool runnings
While the disk jockey play your fav'rite song
Say now, cool runnings
People spreading joy all over de place
I say now, cool runnings
With a smile upon the promotor's face
I say now, cool runnings
It's dawnin' of day at the gates
I say now, cool runnings
The gate man is beckoning "don't be late"
I say now, cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice.......



All comments from YouTube:

@J0hnC0ltrane

LYRICS - COOL RUNNING
(Bunny Wailer)

Rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you ride in
'Cause this here session is vital

Check scene
Come on and ride in
I said you bide in
'Cause this ya riddim is I-tal

And it's a cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice
Tell you it's a cool runnings
De riddim a go drip like sugar and spice
Say now, cool runnings
Jus' rock with your deeta all night long
I say now, cool runnings
While the disk jockey play your fav'rite song

Hey now, rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you riding
'Cause this riddim is vital

Check scene
Come on and groom(?) in
I said you ride in
'Cause this ya session invital

And it's a cool runnings
We all a go rock 'til broad day light
Singin' cool runnings
Me I-dren we nuh need no fuss nor fight
I say now, cool runnings
Say long, long time we nuh have no nice time
Yeah, cool runnings
Says rock to the riddim and the drum and bassline
Yeah, yeah

Rope in
Come on and tune in
I said you Ride in
'Cause this session is vital

And it's a cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice
Tell you it's a cool runnings
De riddim a go drip like sugar and spice
Say now, cool runnings
Jus' rock with your deeta all night long
I say now, cool runnings
While the disk jockey play your fav'rite song
Say now, cool runnings
People spreading joy all over de place
I say now, cool runnings
With a smile upon the promotor's face
I say now, cool runnings
It's dawnin' of day at the gates
I say now, cool runnings
The gate man is beckoning "don't be late"
I say now, cool runnings
I know dancehall a go nice.......

@CheikhTidianeNDAO

❤❤❤ Thanks for the lyrics. One love 💕💞💕 one heart one world

@roses4me451

@@CheikhTidianeNDAO Thanks for uploading "Rock n Grove" & "Cool Runnings". The sound quality is the BOMB! I love all the photos too. Happy New Year. Peace & blessings. (Walk good)

@rocker6411

Chune!!!! Respect EveryTime Mr Livingstone!!! Cartagena,Colombia,SouthAmerica!

@Ramakan

I grew up on this song. It sure brings back a lot of memories. Back when life was so much simpler. No internet, no social media, no pandemic, no social distancing. Just a simple peaceful way of life back in the 70’s. So nostalgic.

@MrTartaria

Lucky 😂

@user-jz4jc7pv6q

Who's still rocking 2024

@bigjentertainment876

One of the most classic reggae recordings🔥🔥🔥

@brianmitchell8479

RIP Bunny Wailer😭🙏🎤🎼🇯🇲🇬🇩🇹🇹🇬🇾🇺🇸

@user-cc7zx8vu8g

🇧🇿🇧🇿🇧🇿🇧🇿🇧🇿

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