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)
Determined
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To make them understand
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried
But they just can't understand
I tried and I tried and the Lord know I tried
To make them understand
I tried, oh tried how I tried
The more victimization is up on their back
The more foolish they becomes
The more victimization is up on their back
They satisfy Lord for less
I tried, oh Jah how I tired
But they just can't understand
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried
But they just can't understand
Poor God, people
When will they ever learn?
This one turn them fool, that one turn them fool
So what are they waiting for
Fix up yourself and prepare to meet Jah
That will satisfy Lord for more
I tried, oh Jah how I tried
But they just can't understand
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried
But they just can't understand
Father die in pain, Mother die in pain
Slavery continue
They say we have no right no where
In no corner of the world
And I tried to make them notice
But they just can't understand
I tried and I tried and I tried to make them know
But they just can't understand
Twenty-four hours make one day, they told us
Seven days make a week
And out of all that they hold 365 days
They can only name you seven days
I tried, I tried and I tried
But they just can't understand
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried
But they just can't understand
We beat drums at night, we beat drums by day
They take no heed
The church bell a-ring and the children a-sing
And them still satisfy Lord for less
I tried and I tried
But they just can't understand
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried
But they still can't understand
Son is waiting at condemned cell for his sentence
You know
Father in the field can't find nothing
And mother nah no money
I tried, I tried and I tried
But they just can't understand
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried
But they just can't understand
My Daddy was sure, my Mommy was poor
Ain't got no money
Still no bother me, all I need to see
Is love and unity
The lyrics of Culture's song "I Tried" express frustration and disappointment with society's inability to understand or acknowledge the struggles and injustices faced by the marginalized. The repeated phrase "I tried and I tried" creates a sense of exhaustion and defeat, as the singer attempts to bring attention to the sufferings of others but continuously faces apathy and denial.
The lyrics criticize those who prioritize materialistic desires over empathy and compassion. The line "They satisfy Lord for less" suggests that people are content with superficial or temporary pleasures instead of striving for more substantial fulfillment. Additionally, the line "They can only name you seven days" implies that society is preoccupied with mundane routines and structures rather than larger, more meaningful concepts.
The chorus of the song ends with the lines "I tried and I tried and I tried to make them know / But they just can't understand." This repetition highlights the stubbornness and resistance of those in power to truly acknowledge and address systemic injustices.
Line by Line Meaning
I tried and I tried and I tried and I tried
Despite multiple attempts, the message is still not being understood
To make them understand
The singer is attempting to convey a message to someone
But they just can't understand
The message is not being received or comprehended
The more victimization is up on their back
As more oppression is placed on someone, they become more foolish
The more foolish they becomes
Oppressed individuals become less intelligent or more vulnerable
They satisfy Lord for less
Oppressed individuals are content with receiving less or being treated unfairly
Oh Jah how I tired
The singer is addressing God (Jah) and expressing exhaustion
Poor God, people
The artist is feeling pity or sympathy for both God and people
When will they ever learn?
The artist is questioning whether or not individuals will ever gain understanding
This one turn them fool, that one turn them fool
Various outside factors are causing these individuals to become foolish
So what are they waiting for
The singer is urging individuals to take action
Fix up yourself and prepare to meet Jah
Individuals should work on themselves and be ready to meet God
That will satisfy Lord for more
Improving oneself will result in a greater satisfaction for God
Father die in pain, Mother die in pain
The singer is acknowledging the pain many have gone through
Slavery continue
The legacy of slavery still persists
They say we have no right no where
Individuals are being told they have no rights or belong nowhere
In no corner of the world
No place in the world is available for individuals to belong to
I tried to make them notice
The singer is attempting to bring attention to a particular issue
Twenty-four hours make one day, they told us
Basic knowledge is not being imparted properly or fully
Seven days make a week
The idea of a week is known and understood
And out of all that they hold 365 days
A year is comprised of 365 days
They can only name you seven days
Individuals are only aware of seven specific days of the week
We beat drums at night, we beat drums by day
Cultural traditions are being upheld
They take no heed
Outsiders are not noticing or are ignoring these traditions
The church bell a-ring and the children a-sing
Religious practices are being carried out by some
And them still satisfy Lord for less
People are content with receiving less recognition or reward from God for their religious practices
Son is waiting at condemned cell for his sentence
A person's fate is being determined and they are waiting for punishment
Father in the field can't find nothing
A person is struggling and unable to find what they need
And mother nah no money
A person is lacking basic resources, particularly money
My Daddy was sure, my Mommy was poor
The singer's family situation involved a certain level of certainty and poverty
Ain't got no money
The singer continues to acknowledge their lack of financial stability
Still no bother me, all I need to see
Despite this, the artist remains composed and focused on what is important
Is love and unity
The artist values love and coming together as a community
Writer(s): Joseph Hill
Contributed by Hunter N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Jah bless
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I tried