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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
Put It On
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feel them spirit
Feel them spirit
Lord, I thank you
Lord, I thank you
Feel alright now
Feel alright now
Good Lord, hear me
Good Lord, hear me
I'm not boastin'
I'm not boastin'
I'm not boastin'
Feel like toastin'
Feel like toastin'
(Simply 'cause) I'm gonna put it on, in the morning
I'm gonna put it on, at night
I'm gonna put it on, anytime anywhere
Good Lord, help me
Good Lord, help me
No more cryin'
No more cryin'
No more cryin'
Lord I thank you
Lord I thank you
'Cause I'm gonna put it on
I'm gonna put it on
I'm gonna put it on
Feel alright now
Feel alright now
Lord, I thank you
Lord, I thank you
Lord, I thank you
Feel alright now
Feel alright now
The lyrics of Bunny Wailer's song "Put It On" are an expression of spiritual gratitude and an affirmation of personal strength. The repetition of the phrase "Feel them spirit" and "Feel alright now" highlights the importance of feeling connected to something greater than oneself. The song opens with a prayer of thanks, acknowledging that the blessings the singer is experiencing are not due to his own efforts alone. There is an understanding that the feeling of wellbeing and empowerment comes from a spiritual source.
The second half of the song is more boastful, with the singer proclaiming his own strength and resilience. He feels like "toasting" (celebrating) his achievements, and declares that he will "put it on" in the morning, at night, and anytime anywhere. This phrase could be interpreted as a promise to always be true to himself and to live his life authentically. By saying "Good Lord, help me" repeatedly, he seems to be asking for divine assistance in achieving his goals.
Overall, the lyrics of "Put It On" are a reminder of the power of faith and spirituality in giving us the strength to face life's challenges. The repetition of certain phrases adds to the hypnotic quality of the song, reinforcing the message of spiritual connection and gratitude.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel them spirit
I feel the presence of the divine spirits around me
Lord, I thank you
I express my gratitude to the Almighty
Feel alright now
I am feeling good and contented at this moment
Good Lord, hear me
I pray to God to listen to my invocation
I'm not boastin'
I am not bragging or showing off
Feel like toastin'
I feel like celebrating or lifting a toast
I'm gonna put it on, in the morning
I will wear my best attire and celebrate the joy of life in the morning
I'm gonna put it on, at night
I will dress up well and revel in the merriment of night
I'm gonna put it on, anytime anywhere
I will don my best clothes and enjoy every moment of life throughout the day and in any place
Good Lord, help me
I ask the divine power to bless me with strength and positivity
No more cryin'
I will not weep or lament anymore
'Cause I'm gonna put it on
I will dress up in my best and show the world my energetic and festive side
Feel alright now
I am in a state of complete satisfaction and joy
Lord, I thank you
I express my deep gratitude to my Creator for all the blessings in my life
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan pablo Pabon
Feel them spirit
Feel them spirit
Feel them spirit
Lord, I thank you
Lord, I thank you
Feel alright now
Feel alright now
Feel alright now
Good Lord, hear me
Good Lord, hear me
I'm not boastin'
I'm not boastin'
I'm not boastin'
Feel like toastin'
Feel like toastin'
I'm gonna put it on, in the morning
I'm gonna put it on, at night
I'm gonna put it on, anytime anywhere
Good Lord, help me
Good Lord, help me
No more cryin'
No more cryin'
No more cryin'
Lord I thank you
Lord I thank you
'Cause I'm gonna put it on
I'm gonna put it on
I'm gonna put it on
Feel alright now
Feel alright now
Lord, I thank you
Lord, I thank you
Lord, I thank you
Feel alright now
Feel alright now
Vanderley Leite
Um dia todos irão entender que Bob Marley the wailers é nossa salvação
Todos deveriam ouvir suas melodias
Pura Magia
WELCOME TO BRASIL
Concordo
Dreadless Rasta
Bob, Bunny and Peter's harmonies were so on point when they were together. This song is a great example. Midnight Ravers is another..
Ronny Bueller
So true
Russell Pakele
Waimanalo beach park back in da days listening to Bob,Peter tosh, bunny wailer smoking cryptonite weed🤙😆
Russell Pakele
@Ronny Bueller So true my braddah I miss those days
WELCOME TO BRASIL
Viajo nas músicas desse cara , principalmente essa
Dimakatso Leshilo
I was in my 20s when I heard of this song to an extent of going to buy this album. It's hot. Bravo my father Bob Marley
Gout gueule
Simply magic!👍bob was a shaman!
Olliewood
The Godfather of reggae!!!