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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
Keep on Moving / / Keep on Moving
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
I've been accused for the killin'
Lord knows I didn't do
And that's why I've got to get on through
Lord, they're coming after me (a-one more time)
(I say) Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
(Now, listen) I've got two boys and a woman
They're just gonna suffer now
Lord, forgive me for not goin' back
But I'll be there anyhow
I'll be there anyhow (one more time)
(I say) Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
Now, maybe someday I'll find a piece of land
Somewhere not by near anyone
Then I'll send for my love, love, love, love, sweet woman
And my two grown up son
My two grown up son (yeah, yeah)
(I say now) Lord I've got to keep on moving
Bunny Wailer's "Keep On Moving" is a powerful and moving statement about the resilience and determination in the face of persecution and unjust accusation. Throughout the song, Bunny repeats the phrase "Lord, I've got to keep on moving" like a mantra, emphasizing his need to keep running, keep pushing forward, and keep moving to avoid being caught by those who are pursuing him. The song tells the story of a man who has been falsely accused of killing someone and is now on the run from the law. Despite his fear and anxiety, Bunny reminds himself that he must stay strong, stay focused, and continue moving forward if he wants to stay alive.
The song also highlights the impact that this situation is having on his family, noting that they are now suffering as a result of his actions. Despite this, he is determined to keep moving and stay free, even if it means leaving his loved ones behind for a time. The song ends on a hopeful note, with Bunny expressing his desire to find a place of peace and security where he can eventually reunite with his family once again.
Overall, "Keep On Moving" is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience that can be found in the face of adversity. It speaks to the ways in which fear and uncertainty can motivate us to keep fighting, keep pushing, and keep moving forward when everything feels stacked against us.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
I have to keep moving forward to evade capture
Lord, I've got to get on down
I must keep going in order to avoid arrest
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
I have to keep fleeing so I am not found
Where I can't be found
I have to find an untraceable location to hide
Lord, they're coming after me
The authorities are pursuing me relentlessly
I've been accused for the killin'
I have been falsely accused of a murder
Lord knows I didn't do
I am completely innocent of the crime
For hangin' me, they are willin', yeah, yeah
They are eager to execute me by hanging
And that's why I've got to get on through
I need to escape to avoid being killed
(I say) Lord, I've got to keep on moving
I need to keep running to survive
Now, listen) I've got two boys and a woman
I have a family who will suffer if I am caught or killed
They're just gonna suffer now
My family will be impacted by my situation
Lord, forgive me for not goin' back
I ask for forgiveness for not being able to return home
But I'll be there anyhow
I will try to reunite with my family eventually
(one more time) Lord, I've got to keep on moving
I cannot stop walking until I am safe
Now, maybe someday I'll find a piece of land
Perhaps one day I will find a secure place to live
Somewhere not by near anyone
A location without anyone nearby is necessary
Then I'll send for my love, love, love, love, sweet woman
When I find a safe place, I will send for my wife
And my two grown up son
And my two adult children
(yeah, yeah)
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ForEverROCK1000
Bob Marley , Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. These men are the pillars of reggae music!
@danisadanisa888
yes it's truth
@benoflaherty313
Lee scratch Perry made those guys look into a little
@osmansanee1143
Where did you leave Culture,burning spear and nasio?
@brandondorrance4660
Don't forget their mentor, the great Joe Higgs
@reggaeone
Jah Bless in 2020. We All Got To Keep On Moving.
@melaninwarrior6420
Bob,bunny and peter created a music which only grows stronger every single day.
@roberttrotter2457
bob spread the message,peter stood up for the worlds rights,and bunny had all the funk! rule dancehall!
@enevramajestikah6759
Thank God that he did modernize version of these songs. These songs will never sound old or stale.. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
@rusticization
Rest in paradise, Bunny Wailer.