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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
Stay With The Reggae
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They got the man who shot the sheriff,
But they got to let the music play.
They got the man who shot the sheriff,
But the words will never fade away.
The downfall of one, is the uprising of others,
'Cause there's a battle to be won.
We no let go, we a go hang on in there,
Let's stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a inspiration is sent from the King.
So we're gonna stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing.
Stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a inspiration is sent from the King.
So we're gonna stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing.
Ooh-yes!
They got the man who used to prophecy,
But his works will never go in vain.
They got the man but, woman no cry,
'Cause Jah messengers are here to stay.
We're moving onward, and we ain't gonna stop,
Rock reggae music till it reach the top.
And if a??? we a fi in a the red,
to drop this a rhythm, heavy as lead.
Let's stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a inspiration is sent from the King.
So we're gonna stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing.
Stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a inspiration is sent from the King.
So we're gonna stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing.
Sing-along-sing-along-sing-along.
(.)
Ooh-yeah now,
They got the man who shot the sheriff,
But they got to let the music play.
They got the man who shot the sheriff,
But the words will never fade away.
The downfall of one, is the uprising of others,
'Cause there's a battle to be won.
We no let go, we a go hang on in there,
And play reggae music till it's number one.
Let's stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a inspiration is sent from the King.
So we're gonna stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing.
Sing-along-sing-along-sing-along.
Stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a inspiration is sent from the King.
So we're gonna stay with the reggae rhythm,
'Cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing.
Bunny Wailer's "Stay With The Reggae" is a rallying cry for the power and resilience of reggae music. The lyrics encourage listeners to continue playing and dancing to reggae music, even in the face of oppression and destruction. The song references Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff," suggesting that although the authorities may have caught the person who caused harm, the music and message will never fade away. Wailer acknowledges that when one person falls, others rise up and the battle for social justice continues.
The lyrics also pay tribute to other influential reggae musicians, including "the man who used to prophecy," likely referring to the late Peter Tosh, and "Jah messengers," who will continue to spread the message of reggae music. The energetic chorus, "Stay with the reggae rhythm, 'cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing," emphasizes the joy and positivity that can be found in reggae music, even in difficult times.
Overall, "Stay With The Reggae" is an uplifting and inspiring song that celebrates the power of reggae music and its ability to unite people and inspire change.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey!
Introduction to the song.
They got the man who shot the sheriff,
The authorities have arrested the person responsible for the crime but should allow music to continue playing.
But they got to let the music play.
Music should continue playing despite the arrest of the suspect.
But the words will never fade away.
The theme of the song and the message it carries will always remain even if the suspect is arrested.
The downfall of one, is the uprising of others,
The failure of one person or group creates the opportunity for another person or group to succeed.
'Cause there's a battle to be won.
There is a struggle for something to be accomplished or achieved.
We no let go, we a go hang on in there,
We will not give up, we will persevere and continue fighting.
And play reggae music till it's number one.
The musician will continue to create and perform reggae music until it becomes the top genre.
Let's stay with the reggae rhythm,
The musician encourages the listener to stick with reggae music.
'Cause this a inspiration is sent from the King.
Reggae music is inspired by God and carries a spiritual message.
So we're gonna stay with the reggae rhythm,
The musician and the listener will continue to listen to and create reggae music.
'Cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing.
Reggae music is powerful enough to make people dance and sing along.
They got the man who used to prophecy,
Refers to the persecution of persons who speak truth to power.
But his works will never go in vain.
The works of the prophet are not in vain, and their message will still have an impact even if the person is silenced.
But, woman no cry,
Women should not cry or be upset despite the oppression and persecution they may face.
'Cause Jah messengers are here to stay.
The message of Jah, or God, will continue to be spread through messengers despite attempts to silence them.
We're moving onward, and we ain't gonna stop,
The resistance will continue, and they will not stop until they achieve their goals.
Rock reggae music till it reach the top.
The musicians will continue to create and perform reggae music until it becomes the top genre.
And if a??? we a fi in a the red,
Unclear line of the song.
to drop this a rhythm, heavy as lead.
The musicians will continue to perform the heavy and powerful reggae music despite challenges and difficulties.
Sing-along-sing-along-sing-along.
Encouraging the listener to sing and enjoy the music.
Ooh-yeah now,
Introduction to the chorus, indicating a change in tone.
Stay with the reggae rhythm,
Encouraging the listener to continue listening to reggae music.
'Cause this a inspiration is sent from the King.
Reggae music is inspired by God and carries a spiritual message.
So we're gonna stay with the reggae rhythm,
The musician and the listener will continue to listen to and create reggae music.
'Cause this a reggae music make you dance and sing.
Reggae music is powerful enough to make people dance and sing along.
Contributed by Jack Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@o.d.m_lyrics
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@erastusnganga2870
love it from umoja Nairobi Kenya nuff respect
@jerymash4329
Phase 3 ama
@ketahtitus8752
Hold strong bro, listening from Ruai Nairobi.
@asolutioncompanylimited9518
Oyah
@amoswekesa1476
Kenyans will say"Hii ni Kali"meaning this hit is awesome.
@angelmwani.324
Deadly
@rascaesar9025
massive forever RIP wailer.
Uganda🇺🇬 here
@sydneychimombo2290
Music that will never fade or end. Been listening to this music since the early 90s. Keep de fire burning.
@carolyokwaro1308
Listening live from Tokyo. Reggae music make you dance and sing. Reggae music must reach at the top. There's a lot of hope for reggae music lovers.
Believe this!