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)
Natty Takin'Over
Culture Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
Bye, bye, blackbird
Where somebody waits for me
Sugar′s sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, blackbird
No one here can love or understand me
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye
Bye, bye, blackbird
Where somebody waits for me
Sugar′s sweet, so is she
Bye, bye, blackbird
No one here can love or understand me
Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
Blackbird, bye, bye
It should be noted that the lyrics in the question are not from Culture's song "Natty Takin' Over" but from the jazz standard "Bye Bye Blackbird" written by Ray Henderson in 1926. However, we can still try to interpret what the lyrics mean.
The song starts with the singer feeling misunderstood and unloved. The people around them only have "hard luck stories" to tell him, which makes him feel even more isolated. They decide to leave and "pack up all [their] cares and woe" and leave with a heavy heart. They say goodbye to the "blackbird", which has been interpreted as a symbol of their sadness, and leave to find someone who waits for them and loves them.
The second verse is a continuation of the singer's desire to be loved and understood. They still feel like no one cares for them and they have been dealt a bad hand when it comes to luck. They make their bed and turn off the light, indicating they are leaving in the night. They say goodbye to the "blackbird" again, this time using it as a means of saying goodbye to their sorrows.
"Bye Bye Blackbird" seems to be about leaving one's troubles behind and searching for love and understanding. The "blackbird" can be interpreted as a symbol of the singer's sadness and sorrow. They say goodbye to it twice in the hope of finding a better life somewhere else.
Line by Line Meaning
No one here can love or understand me
I am surrounded by people who do not care about me and cannot relate to me.
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me
I constantly receive negative, unlucky news and stories from those around me.
Pack up all my cares and woe, here I go, winging low
I am leaving behind all of my worries and troubles and moving on with caution and low spirits.
Bye, bye, blackbird
Goodbye to my old life, to my old self, to my old circumstances.
Where somebody waits for me
I have someone waiting for me in my future, someone to love and to rely on.
Sugar's sweet, so is she
My future love is as sweet and enjoyable as sugar.
No one here can love or understand me
Again, I emphasize that I am surrounded by unloving and uncomprehending people.
Oh what hard luck stories they all hand me
This situation does not seem to be improving; they continue to feed me hardship.
Make my bed and light the light, I'll arrive late tonight
I will be coming home late tonight, so please prepare my bed and light for me.
Blackbird, bye, bye
Goodbye to the blackbird, to the old chapters of my life, to everything I used to know.
Writer(s): Hill, Dayes, Daley
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RakkazSoundsystem
One of the best things i've seen on youtube inna long time. I've remember first hearing Culture when i was like 3 or 4 years old, my father used to listen to alot of roots and ska. From then i knew, i will listen to this for my entire life.
@zookat
One of the best clips of that documentary, of a youthful CULTURE. Thanks!
@richardsharum4671
What documentary is this from?
@rayangles1447
@@richardsharum4671 la memoire du peuple noir Cl
aude Fleouter - The black Way Exist in vinyl (ost) too.
@smoothlyrugged
What a lovely lovey song, sung by a precious man with a glorious voice.........RIP King natty Joseph Hill.......Fire pon dem....
@kawikahob1
Nothing beats Culture in originality and vibes.......Listen to this!
@malcstag
man, what a session, everyone jamming and skanking, true musicians and players yes true true. blessed
@cerachaos
This song is a crucial. RIP Joseph...Natty Dread Taking over.....
@hutchmanu2987
Wicked version,wicked drummer!
@sfsorrow
the amazing joseph hill - what a voice, what a man!