From his website:
If you know reggae music, you know Clinton 'Basie' Fearon. Clinton Fearon is counted among Jamaica's most talented musicians by peers and professionals in the Reggae music industry. His infectious bass riffs, guitar licks, percussion accents and powerful vocals make Bassie a living legend amongst reggae musicians and fans.
As a youth, Bassie went to Kingston to eventually become the well-known bassist, vocalist and lyricist for The Gladiators as well as a house musician for Coxsonne Dodd’s Studio One and Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark Studio. Fearon recorded many of Perry's best known songs, including Roast Fish and Cornbread which features one of Fearon's most famous bass lines. He also composed some everlasting basslines for Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many many others.
Another Party
Clinton Fearon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
Yes, them keep another party - and we're not there
Deciding our lives behind our back
Just like they always do
Selfish decisions they've made a lot
They call us minority but we are the majority
Their fun would be done if we turn on the light
Then everyone could see
How they trick us and rob us of our dignity
But we won't lose ourselves
Yes, they trick us and call it solidarity
No we won't lose ourselves
Who is gonna pay, for a bad job done?
Who is gonna say, I'm responsible?
For the tears of the innocent man
For the cheers of the evil one
Who is gonna pay? Who is gonna pay?
They trick us and rob us of our dignity
But we won't lose ourselves
Yes, they trick us and call it solidarity
Still we won't lose ourselves, no, no
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
Yes, them keep another party - and we're not there
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
Yes, them keep another party - and we're not there
Deciding our lives behind our back
Just like they always do
Selfish decisions they've made a lot
But hey, nothing is new, oh no, no, no.
The song "Another Party" by Clinton Fearon is a commentary on the injustices committed by those in power, or "Babylon," who make decisions that affect the lives of others without their consent. The repeated line "Babylon keep another party - and we're not there" represents the feeling of exclusion and frustration that arises from being shut out of decision-making processes. The singer accuses those in power of deciding their lives "behind [their] back," continuing the cycle of selfish decisions that have been made for generations.
The second verse focuses on the power dynamic between those in power and those who are oppressed. The singer suggests that those in power view minorities as a small, insignificant group, but in reality, they are the majority. If the oppressed turn on the light and expose the flaws in the logic of those in power, their reign would be done. The singer laments the fact that the oppressed have been tricked and robbed of their dignity, but ultimately asserts that they will not lose themselves in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Yes, them keep another party - and we're not there
The people in power continue to enjoy themselves without us
Deciding our lives behind our back
Our fate is chosen without our knowledge and consent
Just like they always do
This is standard operating procedure for those in power
Selfish decisions they've made a lot
The decisions made by those in power prioritize their own interests over ours
But hey, nothing is new
This is an unfortunate reality that we have come to expect
They call us minority but we are the majority
The people who are affected by these decisions are actually the majority, not the minority
Their fun would be done if we turn on the light
If we expose their actions, they will no longer be able to continue with their self-serving behavior
Then everyone could see
If the truth were to come out, it would be clear to everyone what is really going on
How they trick us and rob us of our dignity
They manipulate us and take away our sense of self-respect and worth
But we won't lose ourselves
We will not allow them to take away our sense of self and identity
Yes, they trick us and call it solidarity
They make it seem like their actions are for our benefit, when in reality it only serves them
No we won't lose ourselves
We will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of
Who is gonna pay, for a bad job done?
Who will be held accountable for the negative consequences of their actions?
Who is gonna say, I'm responsible?
Who will take ownership of their mistakes and wrongdoing?
For the tears of the innocent man
For the pain and suffering of those who have done no wrong
For the cheers of the evil one
For the celebration and joy of those who have acted immorally
They trick us and rob us of our dignity
They manipulate us and take away our sense of self-respect and worth
But we won't lose ourselves
We will not allow them to take away our sense of self and identity
Yes, they trick us and call it solidarity
They make it seem like their actions are for our benefit, when in reality it only serves them
Still we won't lose ourselves, no, no
We will continue to stand up for ourselves and not let them take advantage of us
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Yes, them keep another party - and we're not there
The people in power continue to enjoy themselves without us
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Babylon keep another party - and we're not there
We are excluded from the gathering of those who control our lives
Yes, them keep another party - and we're not there
The people in power continue to enjoy themselves without us
Deciding our lives behind our back
Our fate is chosen without our knowledge and consent
Just like they always do
This is standard operating procedure for those in power
Selfish decisions they've made a lot
The decisions made by those in power prioritize their own interests over ours
But hey, nothing is new, oh no, no, no.
This is an unfortunate reality that we have come to expect
Writer(s): clinton fearon
Contributed by Ava Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.