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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
Liberation
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you're no buyer or seller.
You'll find yourself left in space
Subject to be bought or sold.
If you are living in a tenant yard
And you are not the land owner.
You'll get a notice from your landlord
To leave sooner or later.
So what you need is liberation.
Everyone need it. Liberation.
The young and old they need liberation.
Let's come together for the liberation.
If you are in bondage. Liberation.
If you are not free you need liberation.
Lets unite for the liberation.
Everyone need it. Liberation.
If you are dwelling on a piece of land
And are not the land owner.
You can be sure that the government man
Is gonna label you a squatter.
If you are an alien in a far country
And you are treated as a stranger.
You don't belong to that society
You could a end up in danger.
If you are caught between church and state
And you are feeling the pressure.
You got to get out before it's too late
Or you got to work without pleasure.
And if you borrow and you can't pay
Don't bother sit there and wonder.
Your revenue and budget could be taken away
And you belly could a end up with hunger.
If you are working on a plantation
And you are not the boss-man.
Don't ever rest from being tired
Or you could get fired.
If you don't belong to one party
And you belong to another.
You are subversive to unity
And no man is your brother.
In Bunny Wailer's song "Liberation", the lyrics paint a picture of a world that is full of imbalances and unjust systems where people are marginalized and treated unfairly. Each verse addresses different scenarios where people may find themselves oppressed or taken advantage of based on their status in society. The lyrics highlight how the market economy works, where those who are not buyers or sellers are made to feel like they don't belong. The system is rigged for those who hold power, and everyone else is left to struggle for survival. If you are not the landowner, you are at the mercy of the landlord or the government. If you are not from a certain country or race, you are treated as an outsider or misfit. If you are stuck between church and state or don't support a particular political party, you are considered a problematic person. Bunny Wailer sings about the need for liberation, that everyone, young and old, needs it. He calls on people to unite and fight for their freedoms, to resist the oppressive systems that seek to keep them down.
The message in "Liberation" is powerful and timeless. The song speaks to the struggles of ordinary people, who are disenfranchised by power structures beyond their control. It urges listeners to find common ground and fight for their rights as human beings. Bunny Wailer's voice and the reggae beat make the song even more affecting, giving listeners a sense of urgency and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
If you are living in a market place
Living in a place where everything is available for sale.
And you're no buyer or seller.
You neither have resources to buy, nor anything to sell.
You'll find yourself left in space
You will find yourself alone and unsupported.
Subject to be bought or sold.
People can take advantage of your vulnerability to sell or buy you.
If you are living in a tenant yard
Living in a place which belongs to someone else.
And you are not the land owner.
You do not own the land you live on.
You'll get a notice from your landlord
The landowner may ask you to leave the place.
To leave sooner or later.
You are asked to evacuate the place either soon or in the future.
If you are dwelling on a piece of land
If you reside on a land.
And are not the land owner.
You do not own the land.
You can be sure that the government man
Governments can take action against you.
Is gonna label you a squatter.
They can label you a trespasser.
If you are an alien in a far country
If you are a foreigner living in a distant land.
And you are treated as a stranger.
You are ill-treated and not accepted.
You don't belong to that society
You are not accepted as a part of the society.
You could a end up in danger.
You might face physical harm.
If you are caught between church and state
If you are in a dilemma between religious and political matters.
And you are feeling the pressure.
If you experience a stressful situation.
You got to get out before it's too late
You need to leave before it's too late.
Or you got to work without pleasure.
Or, you have to work without enjoying it.
And if you borrow and you can't pay
And if you borrow but can't repay.
Don't bother sit there and wonder.
Don't worry and get anxious.
Your revenue and budget could be taken away
Your income and expenses can be taken away.
And you belly could a end up with hunger.
And you could be left without food.
If you are working on a plantation
If you are employed in a plantation.
And you are not the boss-man.
You are not the owner.
Don't ever rest from being tired
Don't stop working to show your exhaustion.
Or you could get fired.
Or you could lose your job.
If you don't belong to one party
If you don't belong to a particular group.
And you belong to another.
But belong to a different party.
You are subversive to unity
You are a threat to the group's uniformity.
And no man is your brother.
And you are not accepted as the group member.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NEVILLE ORIL LIVINGSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ambroseoyungu8127
Rest in peace Nevile Orely Livingstone aka Bunny wailer, you touched and educated many worldwide through your lyrics.
@abdishukrihalake1761
Rest easy legend ๐ from kenya ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช
@dancanwafula4862
Kenya needs liberation, the cost of living gone high and the suffering of Jah people is allover.
@reheman8689
The Lion has slept but still strong in our hearts rest easy King!!Respect!! ๐น๐ญ๐ฐ๐ช
@wickybrian8128
Forever in our hearts.... From Nairobi kenya
@likombakelvinlikomba8869
O
@mwakiosammy8301
"Liberation" - Jah bless you Bunny Wailer.....go in peace.
@walt2love
"If you are living in a market place And you're no buyer or seller.You'll find yourself left in space.Subject to be bought or sold.If you are living in a tenant yard.And you are not the land owner.You'll get a notice from your landlord.To leave sooner or later.So what you need is liberation.Everyone need it. Liberation.The young and old they need liberation.Lets come together for the liberation."" BIIIIG tune bout yah!!
@munorubanga4470
I turn 10yrs younger each an every time I listen to this wonderful, sweet song ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅโจโจโจโฃ๏ธโฃ๏ธโฃ๏ธ๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ฏ
@kleygore5239
R.I.P Bunny Wailer ! Thanks for this good Reggae Music