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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
Three Little Birds
Bunny Wailer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, hey-hey
Tell ya, don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, ooh-ooh
Rise up this mornin', smile with the risin' sun
Three little birds sit by my doorstep
Singin' sweet, sweet songs of melodies pure and true
Singin', don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, oh yeh
Singin', don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, oh yes
Rise up this mornin', smile with the falling rain
Three little birds pitched by my little door
Singin' sweet, sweet melodies, oh, so pure and true
This is my message to you
Singin', don't worry 'bout a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, oh yeah
Singin', don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright
Rise up this mornin', smile with the blowin' wind
Three little birds sit by my doorstep
Singin' sweet song melodies pure and true
This is my message, my message to you
Singin' sweet, sweet songs of melodies pure and true
Singin' sweet, sweet songs of harmonies pure and true
Singin' sweet, sweet songs of melodies pure and true
This is my message to you
Hey, tell ya, don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, oh yes
Baby, don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, oh yeah
Tell ya, don't worry 'bout a thing
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright
And don't worry 'bout a thing, my bothers, yeah
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, little sister
Don't worry 'bout a thing, ooh yeah
'Cause every little, every little thing is gonna be alright, yeah yeah
And don't worry, worry, worry about a thing
'Cause every little, every little thing is gonna be alright, oh yeah, keep the faith
And don't worry, worry, worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing, every little thing, every little thing is gonna be alright
Bunny Wailer's "Three Little Birds" is a song that conveys a message of hope and reassurance to its listeners. The lyrics encourage us to let go of our worries because every little thing is going to be alright. Bunny's soothing melody and upbeat tempo give the sense that everything is going to be okay. The repetition of the phrase "every little thing is gonna be alright" throughout the song emphasizes this message and reassures us that we have a reason to hope.
The opening lyrics, "Rise up this mornin', smile with the risin' sun / Three little birds sit by my doorstep / Singin' sweet, sweet songs of melodies pure and true / This is my message to you," are a reference to three birds perched on Bunny's doorstep who sing sweet songs that bring him joy. Bunny encourages us to look for simple pleasures and to appreciate the beauty in everything around us. He asks us to take comfort in the knowledge that no matter what happens, we can find strength in small moments of joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't worry 'bout a thing
Don't stress or be anxious because there's nothing to fear.
'Cause every little thing is gonna be alright, hey-hey
Everything, no matter how small or minor, will turn out just fine.
Rise up this mornin', smile with the risin' sun
Start your day with gratitude and appreciation for new beginnings.
Three little birds sit by my doorstep
Three small and seemingly insignificant things bring joy and comfort to someone.
Singin' sweet, sweet songs of melodies pure and true
The birds' singing represents positivity, honesty, and authenticity.
This is my message to you
This song and its themes of hope and positivity are meant to be shared with others.
Singin', don't worry about a thing
The repetition of this phrase serves as a reminder that no matter what, things will turn out alright.
Rise up this mornin', smile with the falling rain
Even in difficult or trying times, maintaining a positive outlook can make all the difference.
Three little birds pitched by my little door
Again, small and simple things can bring happiness and hope.
Singin' sweet, sweet melodies, oh, so pure and true
The birds' singing continues to represent positivity, honesty, and authenticity.
And don't worry 'bout a thing, my bothers, yeah
This reminder to not worry about small things is inclusive and meant for all.
Every little thing is gonna be alright, little sister
Regardless of who you are, no matter how small or insignificant the thing, it will all be okay.
And don't worry, worry, worry about a thing
Once again, the repetition of this phrase reinforces the message of hope and positivity.
Oh yeah, keep the faith
This song encourages listeners to maintain their faith and trust that things will turn out alright.
Every little thing, every little thing, every little thing is gonna be alright
No matter how small or insignificant something may seem, have faith and trust that it will all be okay.
Contributed by Lily G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
GatorRay
Greetings in the name of the Most High Jah Rastafari. Raystafari and Sister Goldilox sending a message of sadness and gladness for the passing and moving forward of dear Bunny Wailer. He is now with Bob & Peter, three little birds reunited in the Father's House. May he rest in peace. Amen. Humbled to write the first comment here. Blessings and love to his family and friends.