There are at least two artists that have used this name:
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)

Life
Culture Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's a train at the station that's ready to leave
And a perfect future just made for me
I let this stranger walk into my life
Stepped out of the darkness back into the light

I know I'm crazy but just a little sane
I get to take this ride again

You give me hope when I wake up
To lift my head high
And take what's mine
We look for laughter in the madness
You give me hope
And you give me life

Will you let me breathe now while I find my truth
If I love myself don't mean I don't love you
All of my chances are in my hands
Stepped out of the darkness, found out who I am

I know I'm crazy but just a little sane
I get to take this ride again

You give me hope when I wake up
To lift my head high
And take what's mine
We look for laughter in the madness
You give me hope
And you give me life

(You give me life)

(You give me life)

Well I don't know who I am
When I'm lost in you
When I'm under the water (Under the water)
When I'm under the water
I look to you
You know I do
I look to you
And the water is gone

You give me hope when I wake up
To lift my head high
And take what's mine
We look for laughter in the madness
You give me hope
And you give me life

Oh, you give me life

You give me life

Oh, you give me life

Overall Meaning

The song "Life" by Culture speaks to the idea of hope and finding oneself through love and self-discovery. The opening lines, "There's a train at the station that's ready to leave and a perfect future just made for me" paint a picture of a newfound opportunity for the singer. They have let a stranger into their life and are stepping out of darkness into the light. The repeated line "You give me hope and you give me life" reinforces the idea that this newfound love has given them a reason to wake up and seize the day.

The singer acknowledges that they may be "crazy but just a little sane" and that they get to take this ride again. This refers to the idea that despite past mistakes or struggles, every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow. The chorus implies that the journey of life is not always easy and can be full of madness, but it's the laughter and hope found in love that makes it all worthwhile.

In the bridge, the singer speaks to the importance of self-love and finding their own truth. "If I love myself don't mean I don't love you, all of my chances are in my hands" emphasizes that love cannot be given freely if one does not first love themselves. The song ends with the repetition of "you give me life" which cements the idea that this love has brought the singer back to life and given them a renewed purpose.

Overall, "Life" showcases the power of love to lift us up and guide us towards a brighter future. It also emphasizes the importance of self-love and finding one's own truth in order to truly connect with others.

Line by Line Meaning

There's a train at the station that's ready to leave
There is an opportunity for change that I am ready to take on.

And a perfect future just made for me
I see a positive outcome for myself.

I let this stranger walk into my life
I am taking a risk by allowing someone new into my life.

Stepped out of the darkness back into the light
I am leaving a negative or difficult situation and moving towards a better life.

I know I'm crazy but just a little sane
I recognize that I may not always see things clearly, but I am still capable of making sound decisions.

I get to take this ride again
I have the opportunity to start fresh and take on new challenges.

You give me hope when I wake up
I feel optimistic and motivated because of the support and encouragement I receive.

To lift my head high
To feel confident and proud of myself.

And take what's mine
To pursue my goals and what I deserve.

We look for laughter in the madness
Even in difficult times, I try to find joy and positivity.

Will you let me breathe now while I find my truth
I am asking for space and time to figure out what is most important to me.

If I love myself don't mean I don't love you
I can still care about others while prioritizing self-love.

All of my chances are in my hands
I have control over my choices and life path.

Stepped out of the darkness, found out who I am
I have overcome obstacles and challenges to discover my true self and purpose.

When I'm lost in you
When I need guidance or support.

When I'm under the water (Under the water)
When I feel overwhelmed or suffocated by life's challenges.

I look to you
I turn to someone who can provide guidance and support.

And the water is gone
I am able to overcome my difficulties and move forward.

Oh, you give me life
I am grateful for the support and inspiration I receive from those around me.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carsten Schack, Darren Lewis, George O'Dowd, Iyiola Babalola, Kenneth Karlin, Michael Craig, Roy Ernest Hay

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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