1. A roots regg… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two artists that have used this name:
1. A roots reggae band from Jamaica
2. A straight edge metalcore band from Florida, US
1. Culture was a Jamaican roots reggae group founded in 1976. Originally they were known as the African Disciples.
The members of the trio were Joseph Hill (lead vocals), Albert Walker (backing vocals) and Kenneth Dayes (backing vocals).
Shortly after Culture came together, they began working with the "Mighty Two" – producer Joe Gibbs and engineer Errol Thompson. While at Gibbs’ studio, they recorded a series of powerful singles, many of which ended up on their debut album ‘Two Sevens Clash’. After their success with Gibbs, the group went on to make a string of albums for producer Sonia Pottinger. Culture began working with some of the premier musicians of the day including Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, Ansel Collins, Cedric Brooks and the ever-present percussionist Sticky. Virgin Records picked up the albums, and that added distribution enabled Culture to gain an even larger following outside of Jamaica.
Critically considered one of the most authentic traditional reggae acts, at the time of the first Rolling Stone Record Guide publication, they were the only band of any genre whose every recording received a five-star review (of bands with more than one recording in the guide).
In 1982 the three singers went their own ways. Hill carried on using the Culture name, and recorded the Lion Rock album, which was released in the United States by Heartbeat Records. For their part, Walker and Dayes recorded a handful of songs on their own – a few of which turned up on an album titled Roots & Culture. In 1986 the original line-up reformed to record two highly regarded albums – Culture in Culture and Culture at Work. These releases marked the beginning of a very busy period for the group, including annual albums and countless tours. The U.S. label Shanachie released a steady stream of new and old Culture albums up to Wings Of A Dove in 1992.
Joseph Hill, who came to symbolize the face of Culture, died in Germany on 19 August 2006 while the group was on tour. His son, Kenyatta Hill, now is the lead singer.
2) Classic mid/late 90s hardcore from Florida, celebrated for, among a handful of others, helping to cultivate the burgeoning metallic hardcore sound that became synonymous with the era.
CULTURE was known for aggressive social/political/ecological commentary, cautionary tales of reckless consumerism and industrial sprawl, and advocacy of the straightedge lifestyle.
Former members went on to Morning Again, Terror, As Friends Rust, Shai Hulud, Throwdown, Blood Has Been Shed and (most recently) ON BODIES.
In 2012, CULTURE played its first show since disbanding in 1998 (The Reel & Restless Fest in Miami, Florida). This fall, in August of 2013, the band will revisit Europe for Belgium's famed Ieper Hardcore Festival, and will then play three dates in Japan, including Tokyo's Bloodaxe Fest.
Members included:
Rich Thurston (Guitar: 1993-1997, Bass: 1993, Vocals: 1993, Drums: 1996)
Josh Williams (Drums: 1993-1997)
Stan Obal (Bass: 1993)
Mark Mitchell (Vocals: 1993, Vocals: 1996)
Pete Carreno (Bass: 1994)
John Wylie (Guitar: 1994-1995)
Damien Moyal (Vocals: 1994-1995, Vocals: 1997-1998)
Gordon Tarpley (Bass: 1995-1997, Guitar: 1998)
Louie Long (Vocals: 1995)
Anthony Conte (Vocals: 1995)
Steve Looker (Guitar: 1996-1997)
Jason Dooley (Drums: 1997)
Timothy Kirkpatrick (Drums: 1997-1998)
Joe Simmons (Guitar:1997-1998)
Floyd Beckham (Bass: 1998)
Kenneth Brian (Guitar: 1998)
Coming Down
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I despise all of your lies
I'm not the prodigal son, I'm not the chosen one
I'm just a man with good intention...
Your horses terrify me, I can't work out why
The things you say, are not O.K.
I'm not the prodigal son, I'm not the chosen one
I'm coming down, coming down, you baptize me
I don't want to drown yeah your drug tongue
Spoken loud. I'm coming down I'm coming down
You baptize me I don't want to drown yeah your
Drug tongue spoken loud
Your dying flowers stink, they smell like rotten
Ink, from a poison pen so I wrote on your head
Just how deep you'll go, from which you came and don't you know
Whoa innocence, your winter's so harsh in your heart
I'm coming down, coming down, you baptize me
I don't want to drown yeah your drug tongue
Spoken loud. I'm coming down I'm coming down
You baptize me I don't want to drown yeah your
Drug tongue spoken loud
Pushin' me harder
Pushin' me harder
Pushin' me harder
I'm coming down I don't want to drown
Your drug tongue's spoken loud
The lyrics of Culture's song "Coming Down" represent a tumultuous relationship between the singer and the "dirty hippie girl" to whom he is singing. The singer seems to be both attracted and repulsed by the girl, as he describes her soft lips making him swirl, yet he despises her lies. He also expresses a sense of confusion over the girl's behavior, particularly when it comes to her horses, which "terrify" him. The singer repeatedly asserts that he is not the "prodigal son" or the "chosen one," but simply a man with "good intentions," suggesting that he feels he is undeserving of either praise or blame.
Line by Line Meaning
You dirty hippie girl, your soft lips make me swirl
The singer is drawn to the girl's physical appearance, but her lifestyle is not aligned with his values.
I despise all of your lies
The singer does not trust the girl because she has been dishonest with him.
I'm not the prodigal son, I'm not the chosen one, I'm just a man with good intention...
The singer is not a divine figure, but he wants to do what is right and have a positive impact.
Your horses terrify me, I can't work out why
The girl's interests and choices are unfamiliar and intimidating to the artist.
The things you say, are not O.K.
The girl's words and actions are offensive to the artist.
Why can't you decide, when you chastise me
The singer is confused about why the girl criticizes him but cannot seem to articulate her expectations or desires.
I'm coming down, coming down, you baptize me
The singer feels like he is losing himself, and the girl's influence is overwhelming.
I don't want to drown yeah your drug tongue spoken loud.
The girl's words are powerful and seductive, but the artist does not want to become trapped by them.
Your dying flowers stink, they smell like rotten ink, from a poison pen so I wrote on your head, just how deep you'll go, from which you came and don't you know
The artist views the girl's choices and lifestyle as a downward spiral that will lead to destruction.
Whoa innocence, your winter's so harsh in your heart
The girl's naivete and purity have been replaced with a cold, bitter outlook on life.
Pushin' me harder, Pushin' me harder, Pushin' me harder
The girl is exerting pressure on the singer and forcing him out of his comfort zone.
I'm coming down I don't want to drown, Your drug tongue's spoken loud
The artist is struggling to resist the girl's influence, but he does not want to be consumed by it.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: JOSEPH HILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Derrick Kasonka
This song is a true reflection of what is happening today
Darko Edmund
Much respect to Culture 💪🙌
Ras Kumabia
As the leaders in Ghana start to grab and the poor people begin to wonder why, I realised that surfferation in our life is coming down. Jah alone can save the youth from going to prison because the justice system and the judges knows no justice. Long sentence on our back in coming down.
Keng De-Brown
Righteous.
Thomas Quaye
Jah bless you Ras Kumabia. Respect ya
Malan Mashilipa
The best reggae musician in the world,mr hills you inspire me a lot your music is good for our souls.rip
Keng De-Brown
More than a prophet he was
BRIAN KINYANJUI
Appreciate the good work of the Legend Joseph Hill, for sure its coming down in kenya
BRIAN KINYANJUI
♥️💛🖤💚
Elphas Maiyo
A prophecy that has come true here in Africa, Kenya
RIP legend