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.
Mr. Want All
Clinton Fearon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
from your pumps and pride
come down mr. want all
with your greedy ride
you rob and cheat from the poor in the name of the lord
now that you've taken it all what's the score
Let go mr. want all
you've got no soul
no more parole
you exploit us f our rights in the name of the lord
now that you've got it all do you still want more
Be careful mr. want all
with your demon style
be careful mr. want all
give you an inch you take a mile
enough is there for every one in that pot of gold
you may have a heart but it's too cold
We know you don't care about i-and-i
believe me a no try we no try
you and your friends may laugh
while your having wine for broth
but what about the children's bread
what about the children's bread... x4
Must we look to the cats and dogs
for satisfation
must we look to the birds and the bees
for a little compassion
rumour has it that you will never change
rumour has it that you will never change
Must we look to the flies and the fleas
for unity
must we look to the fishes in the sea
for sympathy
rumour has it that you will never change
rumour has it that you will never change
How nice it would be
if you would give and take a little
how nice it would be
all things are possible
still rumour has it that you will never change... x4
The song "Mr. Want All" by Clinton Fearon is a powerful message that addresses the problem of greed in society. The song targets individuals who hoard resources, profit from the misfortune of others, and exploit people for their gain. The lyrics call out these individuals by saying "come down Mr. Want All with your greedy ride," implying that they are riding high on their greed and success, but they need to come down and be humble about their actions. Fearon notes that Mr. Want All robs and cheats from the poor in the name of the lord, suggesting that these individuals may use religion as justification for their actions.
The song encourages Mr. Want All to "let go" of their greed and exploitation and to realize that they "have no soul." Fearon suggests that these individuals may have a heart, but it is "too cold" and that they do not care about others, evidenced by their lack of concern for the poor. In the lyrics "what about the children's bread," Fearon highlights the fact that those who hoard resources and profit from others' misfortune harm not only individuals but also children and families.
The song ends with the message that change is possible, but there is a rumor that Mr. Want All will never change. Despite this, Fearon suggests that "all things are possible," and it would be nice if these individuals would give and take a little, acknowledging that there is enough for everyone. Overall, Fearon's "Mr. Want All" is a message of hope for a more compassionate society that recognizes the importance of empathy and helping others.
Line by Line Meaning
Come down mr. want all
Addressing the person who wants all and has an excessive desire for material things
from your pumps and pride
Leave your high position and arrogant attitude
come down mr. want all
Repeating the call for this person to come down from their high status
with your greedy ride
Accusing this person of having greed and selfish intentions
you rob and cheat from the poor in the name of the lord
Condemning this person for taking advantage of the less fortunate under the guise of religious devotion
now that you've taken it all what's the score
Asking what satisfaction this person feels now that they have everything they wanted
Let go mr. want all
Encouraging this person to release their desire for material possessions
you've got no soul
Asserting that this person lacks empathy and compassion
let go mr. want all
Repeating the call for this person to let go of their greed
no more parole
Indicating that there is no chance for redemption or release for this person's actions
you exploit us of our rights in the name of the lord
Accusing this person of using religion as an excuse to take away people's rights
now that you've got it all do you still want more
Questioning whether this person is ever satisfied with what they have
Be careful mr. want all
Issuing a caution to this person for their excessive desire for material possessions
with your demon style
Describing this person's behavior as demonic or evil
give you an inch you take a mile
Observing that allowing this person to have a little leads them to take a lot
enough is there for everyone in that pot of gold
Asserting that there is plenty for everyone to share
you may have a heart but it's too cold
Acknowledging that this person may have emotions, but they are not able to empathize or care
We know you don't care about i-and-i
Stating that this person does not care about others or the collective community
believe me a no try we no try
Affirming that the singer and others have tried to reason with this person, but to no avail
you and your friends may laugh while your having wine for broth
Observing that this person and their companions may indulge in luxuries while others suffer
but what about the children's bread
Asking this person to consider the needs of children who may be suffering due to their actions
Must we look to the cats and dogs for satisfaction
Questioning whether people must resort to base desires and pleasures due to the actions of those who have taken everything
must we look to the birds and the bees for a little compassion
Asking whether people must search for empathy and kindness in the natural world due to the lack of it from this person
rumor has it that you will never change
Recognizing that this person is unlikely to change their ways
Must we look to the flies and the fleas for unity
Asking whether people must resort to insects for solidarity and cooperation due to a lack of it from this person
must we look to the fishes in the sea for sympathy
Asking whether people must turn to marine life for understanding and compassion due to the lack of it from this person
How nice it would be if you would give and take a little
Expressing the hope that this person becomes more generous and shares with others
all things are possible
Affirming that it is within this person's power to be more giving and empathetic
still rumor has it that you will never change
Reiterating the belief that this person is unlikely to reform their ways
Contributed by Samantha N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.