Rodney was born in Saint Ann's Bay, St. Ann, Jamaica, as were Bob Marley and Marcus Garvey; who both had a great influence on Rodney's life. Garvey in his philosophy, which Burning Spear greatly took to, and Marley in directly helping Burning Spear get started in the music industry. Burning Spear was originally Rodney's group, named after Jomo Kenyatta, the first Prime Minister and President of an independent Kenya. As fame took hold the name of the group gradually became synonymous with Rodney.
Burning Spear is one of the strongest proponents of Marcus Garvey's self-determination and self-reliance for all African descendants, thus leading to several album releases in commemoration of the African activist.
In 2002, Burning Spear and his wife, Sonia Rodney who has produced a number of his albums, founded Burning Spear Records.
Burning Spear advocates messages of honesty, peace, and love, which tie in with his religious and political messages of Rasta and black unity.
About Burning Spear
Burning Music
"I don't know how other people see music," reggae legend Burning Spear reflects. "Some people might see it based upon money, some people might see music based upon opportunity and access. But I see music as life. I see music as inspiration."
For more than 35 years, Burning Spear's music-thus, his life-has inspired people on numerous continents. Since the beginning, his songs have implored listeners to fight oppression in all its forms, to work at improving their own condition and to consider the social impact of their actions.
OUR MUSIC builds upon the Jamaican native's legacy of musical activism. With its inimitable dancing groove, the album percolates and bubbles rhythmically in its call for unity between races, between nations, between individuals and even between business associates.
OUR MUSIC is the second album released on his Burning Spear label, following 2003's Grammy-nominated FREEMAN. In the midst of its expected messages about love, oppression and African history is the title track, a public confirmation that his brand of positivity is tempered with a strong sense of self. "Our Music" is Burning Spear's reclamation of his own artistry-a justification for establishing his record company and a challenge to all artists to commandeer their own future.
"A lot of artists just have no time to really look within the business section of the music business," Burning Spear reasons. "There's no one to really sit them down and give them some of that business understanding before they get into what they get into. So then people walk all over these artists and do things where it's not appropriate and it's not right. It's not in the artist's love."
With his art and his business now firmly in his own control, Burning Spear's OUR MUSIC stands among the most joyful albums of his career. Bolstered by its throbbing basslines, bright horn parts and slinky female background singers, the songs embrace persistence ("Try Again"), self-analysis ("Friends"), love ("Fix Me") and community ("Together") through deceptively simple lyrics that point to deeper issues. It is, in effect, smart music you can dance to.
"It's like art," he says. "You're gonna paint this thing, and people are gonna look at this art and say that it looks like a tree, looks like a car, some people it looks like a flower. People are gonna say different things according to what they see. It's very different, what it looks like to them."
No matter who looks at Burning Spear's career, they have to be impressed. Of his more than 25 albums, nine have earned Grammy nominations, with one of them - 1999's CALLING RASTAFRI - receiving the Academy's Best Reggae Album honor. And he remains one of the few reggae pioneers still working and influencing the people today.
Born Winston Rodney in St. Ann, Jamaica, he was an early fan of Bob Marley. As the legend goes, Rodney bumped into Marley while walking through a field, and the two began talking about music. Marley encouraged him to visit Jamaica's Studio One, where Rodney and a fellow musician recorded "Door Peep." By the time of its release, Rodney had branded the duo Burning Spear, taking the nickname of Jomo Kenyatta, who was jailed by a colonial British government in Africa but rose to become the first president of Kenya.
"I believe in people who are gonna stand up for what they believe in," Burning Spear notes, "not only for themselves, but for themselves and their people, and that was what Jomo was doing."
Even more central to Burning Spears' mission - and it truly is a mission - was the doctrine of Marcus Garvey, a 20th century figure who pushed for a stronger black race through self-reliance. The Jamaican-born Garvey supported freedom and economic strength for all people, but made the African-originated population his focus and published his views in a New York-based newspaper, Negro World. Garvey was jailed in the 1920s and eventually exiled to Jamaica, though he never lashed out at the system that brought him down. His message survived, influencing the likes of Kenyatta, Martin Luther King Jr., Marley and Burning Spear, which titled some of its seminal albums MARCUS GARVEY and MARCUS' CHILDREN.
"Those men wasn't preachin' any violence," Burning Spear says. "They were preachin' about Oneness and the struggles of black people about where they can live and having their voices heard. I don't see anything wrong with his plan and his direction. I think he opened a lot of eyes and opened a lot of mouths so those people could really talk and their voices could be heard. I think the time is right now to clear his name up and set his record free."
Burning Spear's mission remains rather unchanged today, though the act and the music have undergone some alterations. The duo grew into a trio, but has long since morphed into Burning Spear, a solo artist. And while his music has always been a vehicle for social change, his songs are now increasingly melodic, developed with catchy hooks that use short phrases and point more subtly to internal truths for those willing to go through self-exploration.
The music survives in a much different musical era. The reggae genre, once a distinct idiom unto itself, has been co-opted by artists throughout the years and melded with other pop forms. Artists such as Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Stevie Wonder and UB40 combined it with pop and rock during the '70s and '80s, while Shaggy and Sean Paul have blended it with hip-hop textures in more recent years. Even country man Willie Nelson put together a hybrid album involving Toots Hibbert, of The Maytals.
Those efforts have called attention to the genre, and specifically to those who helped bring reggae to the world in the '70s, including Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, Hibbert and Marley. In his time, Marley gave Burning Spear his personal seal of approval, and the Spear continues to maintain a devotion to reggae's roots while continuing his service to Jah.
"I think people have to remember the originals," Burning Spear suggests. "So to be honest, I don't really feel no way about it when people put reggae in a different form. Regardless who's gonna do what with the music, I don't think they interfere with Burning Spear."
OUR MUSIC relies heavily on the roots of the reggae movement.
"What I tried to do with this album, musically and lyrically, is to go back to the '70s, when we were singin' about the history and the culture and the lifestyle of these people," Burning Spear observes. "A lot of Burning Spear songs of that earlier times, people would see as political. To me, it's just a natural thing. As an artist, I just expressed that."
Burning Spear continues his mission of expressing his heart, of entertaining and educating the masses. He cleverly accomplishes that by winning over his listeners' bodies before he impacts their minds. He witnesses that process each time he takes the stage.
"You see the head start to nod, you start to see one movement from one of these legs down here and another one, 'til the whole body just gets involved in the whole thing," he laughs. "You have to think about that when you're creatin' the music-you're not just creatin' the music for people to sit back and listen, 'Oh, that's all good and that's bad.' You need people to shake a leg."
As they listen at home and shake legs to OUR MUSIC, listeners will also be swept up with the headiness of Burning Spear's message. The political statements are still there, most obviously in the continued references to Marcus Garvey ("One Marcus" and "Little Garvey").
But OUR MUSIC also contains deeper ideas that penetrate quietly, subtly into the mind before they reach clarity. The bouncy "Friends" asks rather simplistically, "Are you my friend, my neighbor or my enemy?/Who are you? Who are you?" On further reflection, it's obvious that the question is a complex one about societal roles and provocative self-evaluation. "Together" recalls the image of African slaves, shackled together at the ankles, while suggesting that contemporary blacks can still link together figuratively at the elbow in the continued quest for equality. And "Fix Me" embraces the power and essence of love, which Burning Spear sees as the ultimate goal of humanity.
"Love," he says, "is a harmony thing, it's a communication. Love is a link."
Burning Spear's link is a pure one in 2006. Unfettered by someone else's record company, still linked to the roots of reggae and to the ideals of its forefathers, OUR MUSIC points to a better world for those who are oppressed, and for those who simply believe a better world is possible.
"Music," Burning Spear maintains, "is a very important thing. We have to remember that no force is stronger than the music."
Old Marcus Garvey
Burning Spear Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one remember old Marcus Garvey
No one remember him, no one They been talking about Paul Bogle,
They been talking about William Goddon
They been talking about Norman Washington Manley,
Including Bustamante No one remember old Marcus Garvey,
No one remember old Marcus Garvey
Finest time John the Baptist's head were cut off
Put it away into a saucer,
Still disciples have oh Lord believe me,
Yes they stoneth him to death
No one remember old Marcus Garvey,
No one remember old Marcus Garvey
This day the right way
This day the right way
This day the right way
All us got todo is
A true black Lou I
A hatred scatter, even melt before the fire light go out
No one remember old Marcus Garvey,
No one remember old Marcus Garvey
Children, children, children, children
Humble yourself and become one day somehow
You will remember him you will
No one remember old Marcus Garvey,
no one remember old Marcus Garvey
Garvey's old yet young
Garvey's old yet young
Garvey's old yet young
Garvey's old yet young...
The lyrics of Burning Spear's Old Marcus Garvey lament the overlooked contributions of Jamaican political leader and activist, Marcus Garvey. The repetition of the line "no one remember old Marcus Garvey" serves to emphasize the perceived erasure of Garvey's legacy. The subsequent references to other historical figures, such as Paul Bogle, William Goddon, and Norman Washington Manley, highlights the significance of these individuals who are still remembered, but also reflects on the political climate of Jamaica during the time the song was written. The lyrics also make a Biblical reference to John the Baptist, speaking to the martyrdom Garvey faced at the hands of those who opposed his message.
The following lines of "This day the right way" and "a true black Lou I, a hatred scatter" speak to the idea that living in the right way will lead to a greater appreciation of Garvey's work and message. The lyrics also suggest that Garvey's message of unity and empowerment for Black people is still relevant today as they implore the listener to humble themselves and become part of the collective memory that will eventually come to remember Garvey.
Line by Line Meaning
No one remember old Marcus Garvey,
People have forgotten about Marcus Garvey and his legacy.
They been talking about Paul Bogle,
Others have been discussing other historical figures in Jamaica such as Paul Bogle.
They been talking about William Goddon
Others have also been mentioning William Goddon, another historical figure in Jamaica.
They been talking about Norman Washington Manley,
Norman Washington Manley is another figure who is being discussed instead of Garvey.
Including Bustamante
Bustamante is another historical figure who is being talked about instead of Garvey.
Finest time John the Baptist's head were cut off
This line implies that Garvey was a martyr, much like John the Baptist, who was beheaded for his beliefs.
Put it away into a saucer,
This line refers to the beheading of John the Baptist's and the storing of his head in a saucer. It implies that Garvey's legacy has been lost or forgotten, like John's head.
Still disciples have oh Lord believe me,
This line implies that even though Garvey is gone, there are still followers who believe in his teachings and philosophy.
Yes they stoneth him to death
Garvey was likely killed by his opponents and this line refers to his death and martyrdom.
This day the right way
A call to action, that those who have forgotten Garvey and his teachings should follow the right path in their current day.
All us got todo is
This line is incomplete, but likely implies that all people need to do is remember and acknowledge Garvey's legacy.
A true black Lou I
This line refers to Garvey and is a nod to his being a part of the Black nationalist movement.
A hatred scatter, even melt before the fire light go out
This line implies that Garvey's teachings emphasized the unification of people, and that hate will disappear in the face of love and unity.
Children, children, children, children
An appeal to the youth, urging them to acknowledge Garvey and his teachings.
Humble yourself and become one day somehow
This line implies that those who humbly follow Garvey's teachings will ultimately become great in some way.
You will remember him you will
This line reinforces the belief that Garvey's teachings and legacy will not be forgotten by those who truly understand their value.
Garvey's old yet young
An acknowledgement that Garvey's teachings are still relevant today, despite the fact that he is no longer with us.
Garvey's old yet young
Reiteration of the idea that Garvey's legacy is still important and applicable today.
Garvey's old yet young
Further reinforcement of Garvey's lasting legacy.
Garvey's old yet young...
The song ends on this line, emphasizing the importance and lasting impact of Garvey's teachings.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PHILLIP FULLWOOD, WINSTON GODFREY RODNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lester Charles
I'm a massive Bob Marley fan but boy oh boy burning spear is an Incredible, incomparable reggae artist...
His music is so regal... !
KuttyJoe
This song. Is how I LEARNED about Marcus Garvey. Burning Spear and a lot of other Reggae artists taught us many things. Roots Reggae is the best music ever. Even this new generation is still carrying that torch. Bands like Chronixx. God bless them.
Loving Old School
Yeah m😢big bad ruba Dub trick Garvey son resting in peace ✌️ Jock Ruby ✊✊✊🎼🎼🎼🎙️🇯🇲❤️❤️❤️🙏🏿
George Walker
@90s soul n rnb me too
George Walker
Me too
Andrew Hovell
YES I KUTTY JOE BURNING SPEAR OPEN EYES MORE TO FOCUS ON HIM MARCUS GARVEY.SELAH.
IndigenousNorwegian Europa
Likewise - This song made me research the name Marcus Garvey - and after getting to know who he was, reading about his movement and his ideology of «Garveyism» I was lucky to find both speeches with original sound and several documentary films about Marcus Garvey and also numerous videos with more or less academically approaches to his legacy.
Utterly interesting.
Creations
I adore Winston Rodney's voice, not forgetting the teachings and the message.
N'Ghandi Hede
We NEVER FORGET ☀️⚪✴♥️⚘🔥
Boboo
WICKED LYRICS
BASELINE WICKED .
BRING BACK THE GOOD TIMERS.
I'M STILL ROCKING TO THIS CLASSIC IN 2020. MUSIC GOOD FOR THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL 🔥🔥