- - -
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
The Oppressed Song
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But with all he possesses self preservation comes first
His damnation comes from not burning free
As destruction of the poor is their poverty, is their poverty
While oppression is the poor man's choice
Ah, but in this he does rejoice
His burdens though heavy, he somehow bears
There's only one who cares
Though his pilgrimage extends, his progresses ascends
But as the prudent one exalts, he is gonna find his faults
But as the wise man sees, he knows, he knows
There's no rest in the west, so to the east he goes, to the east he goes
Where he can find peace of mind, oh
In "The Oppressed Song," Bunny Wailer explores the idea that the poor and oppressed are often seen as doing the worst or making poor choices, but in reality, their main concern is their own survival. The song praises the resilience and strength of the poor, who bear heavy burdens and continue to progress despite facing many obstacles. Bunny Wailer also highlights the destructive power of poverty and oppression, as they often lead to the downfall of entire communities.
The verse "While oppression is the poor man's choice, Ah, but in this he does rejoice" seems particularly interesting, as it suggests that the poor are happy with their lot in life. However, the line should be read as a criticism of the idea that poverty and oppression are a choice that people make. Instead, it suggests that the poor may not have many options, but they are still able to find moments of joy and hope in their lives. The song ultimately portrays the poor as survivors who are constantly searching for a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
The man oppressed will seem to do the worst
When a person is oppressed, they may resort to desperate measures.
But with all he possesses self preservation comes first
The oppressed prioritize their own survival above all else.
His damnation comes from not burning free
The oppressor's punishment is the guilt of preventing others from living freely.
As destruction of the poor is their poverty, is their poverty
The poverty of the oppressed is a result of the systematic destruction and exploitation of their community.
While oppression is the poor man's choice
Being oppressed is not a choice but it is the fate of the poor.
Ah, but in this he does rejoice
The oppressed may find solace in the unity and resilience of their community.
His burdens though heavy, he somehow bears
The oppressed endure immense hardships but they still carry on.
As for his seed, there's only one who cares
The oppressed's children will only have their parents to rely on.
Though his pilgrimage extends, his progresses ascends
The oppressed seek progress and better prospects wherever they go.
But as the prudent one exalts, he is gonna find his faults
The oppressor will have to face the consequences of their actions one day.
But as the wise man sees, he knows, he knows
The wise recognize the injustices in the world and strive to make a difference.
There's no rest in the west, so to the east he goes, to the east he goes
The oppressed will keep moving and searching for a place where they can be at peace.
Where he can find peace of mind, oh
At the end of the day, all the oppressed want is to live in peace and dignity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: NEVILLE LIVINGSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@smokinjz
The man oppressed will seem to do the worst
But with all he possesses self preservation comes first
His damnation comes from not burning free
As destruction of the poor is their poverty, is their poverty
While oppression is the poor man's choice
Ah, but in this he does rejoice
His burdens though heavy, he somehow bears
As for his seed, there's only one who cares
There's only one who cares
Though his pilgrimage extends, his progresses ascends
But as the prudent one exalts, he is gonna find his faults
But as the wise man sees, he knows, he knows
There's no rest in the west, so to the east he goes, to the east he goes
Where he can find peace of mind, oh
@beatricemiller6823
One of the best if not THE BEST ROOTS ALBUMS EVER!
Love it! Love it! Love it!
@goodman12ist
One of the best reggae albums
@Rastafariministries77
Greatest Rasta Reggae Album Ever
Rest in power beloved elder
@michellemalcolm6206
Blessed love ❤️ throughout the world 🌎 music to uplift the soul. Bunny Wailer still sounding good in 2020❤️💛💚🖤🔥🔥🔥🔥🎶🎶🎶 when reggae was at it’s best. Thankful to the uploader thankful blessings straight outta Zion. Trinidad 🇹🇹 is rocking and swaying full 💯 thousand. Yes Iyah. Real horns blowing
@davebarber3827
I still love this album now when I first it in 1976 it was sold as a bargain price album and what a buy it's been.👍😀❤
@subg8858
This has to be funkiest reggae yet produced
@melaninwarrior6420
Roots reggae music 100% pure
@smokinjz
The man oppressed will seem to do the worst
But with all he possesses self preservation comes first
His damnation comes from not burning free
As destruction of the poor is their poverty, is their poverty
While oppression is the poor man's choice
Ah, but in this he does rejoice
His burdens though heavy, he somehow bears
As for his seed, there's only one who cares
There's only one who cares
Though his pilgrimage extends, his progresses ascends
But as the prudent one exalts, he is gonna find his faults
But as the wise man sees, he knows, he knows
There's no rest in the west, so to the east he goes, to the east he goes
Where he can find peace of mind, oh
@Ramblin-Man
Rasta In Peace, Bunny...I'm lucky to have seen you once, at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 1995.
/J, Sweden
@juliettecad3899
Rest in Peace Bunny Wailer - Love his music.