Brown's first recording was "Lips of Wine" recorded for Derrick Harriott (The Musical Chariot), but this was not released initially. He then recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, and Dodd released Brown's first single, "No Man is an Island". Brown recorded two albums for Dodd, No Man is an Island and If I Follow my Heart (the title track penned by Alton Ellis). Around this time, Brown recorded material for Lloyd Daley ("Baby Don't Do It" and "Things in Life") and material for Derrick Hariott, which was eventually released as the Super Reggae and Soul Hits album. He also worked for Earl Hayles and the Charmaine label early in his career. He had a Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom in 1977. This led to his contract with A&M Records, and to the formation of his own label, DEB records, which produced several hits, including many by Junior Delgado.
His first big hit was "Money In My Pocket" on the Joe Gibbs label, and by the late 1970s, Brown had recorded and performed chart-toppers such as "Sitting & Watching", "Wolves and Leopards", "Here I Come" and "Revolution"; many featuring Sly and Robbie as the rhythm section. As the dancehall era of the 1980s arrived, Brown frequently recorded with King Jammy and Gussie Clark. His song "Revolution" is featured on the reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. According to some sources, Brown became addicted to crack cocaine, which affected his career and may have lead to his premature death. Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and opposition leader Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labour Party both spoke at Brown's funeral, which was held on July 17, 1999 in Kingston, Jamaica. The service, which lasted for three hours, also featured live performances by Maxi Priest, Shaggy, and five of Brown's sons. Brown was then buried at Kingston's National Heroes Park.
A True
Dennis Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To reality.. yeah.
Ooh.. yes!
A true, a true hmmm.. a true.
Hmmm, a true, hmmm, nuh true.
We got to know what we're living for,
We got to know who we're praying to,
And we got to know what we're singing for.
We got to know who we're playing with,
And we got to know what we're working for.
We got to know who we're talking to,
And we got to know what we're listening for.
Yes we got to know what we're writing for,
And we got to know what we're dancing for.
Yes we got to know what we're striving for.
Well, a true, hmmm.. nuh true.
Hmmm.. a true, hmmm.. nuh true.
To enter the Kingdom of His Majesty,
On earth we got to live in perfect harmony.
Hmmm.. nuh true, hmmm.. a true.
Hmmm.. nuh true, yeah-yeah-yeah.
Are you picking up.
Oh yeah now, say we;
We got to know what we're living for,
And we got to know what we're loving for.
We got to know who we're praying to,
And we got to know what we're singing for.
And we got to know who we're playing with,
We got to know what we're working for.
Yes we got to know who we're talking to,
And we got to know what we're listening for.
Yes we got to know what we're writing for,
And we got to know what we're dancing for.
Yes we got to know what we're striving for.
Well, a true, hmmm.. nuh true.
Hmmm.. a true, hmmm.. nuh true.
To enter the Kingdom of His Majesty,
On earth we got to live in perfect harmony, yeah.
Oh yeah now, hmm.. a true..
The lyrics to Dennis Brown's "A True" are a call to action for people to live their lives with intention and purpose. The opening lines "My people listen carefully, to reality" indicate that the singer wants the listener to pay attention to what is really important in life. The repeated phrase "a true" emphasizes the need for authenticity and sincerity in all aspects of life.
The lyrics then delve into the various areas of life that require our attention and intentionality. We need to know what we're living for, loving for, praying to, singing for, playing with, working for, talking to, listening for, writing for, dancing for, and striving for. The repetition of these phrases drives home the message that we can't just float through life aimlessly, we need to know what we want and be intentional in our pursuit of it.
The final lines bring a spiritual aspect to the song, stating that in order to enter the Kingdom of His Majesty (presumably referring to God), we need to live in perfect harmony on earth. This harmonious living requires us to know and be intentional in all aspects of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
My people listen carefully,
Hey everyone, pay attention to what I've got to say
To reality.. yeah.
We need to be in touch with what's really happening in the world
A true, a true hmmm.. a true.
Yeah, that's right, we need to focus on what's true and real
We got to know what we're living for,
We need to have a clear purpose in life
And we got to know what we're loving for.
Our love and emotions should be directed towards meaningful things
We got to know who we're praying to,
We should have a deep connection with a higher power
And we got to know what we're singing for.
Our music and art should be inspired by important themes and messages
We got to know who we're playing with,
We need to surround ourselves with positive influences and companions
And we got to know what we're working for.
Our work and efforts should be driven by our values and beliefs
We got to know who we're talking to,
Our relationships should be founded on honest and meaningful communication
And we got to know what we're listening for.
We should actively seek out and absorb valuable information and ideas
Yes we got to know what we're writing for,
Our writing and expression should be focused on important and relevant topics
And we got to know what we're dancing for.
Even our leisure activities should have deeper meaning and significance
Yes we got to know what we're striving for.
Our goals and aspirations should be aligned with our true purpose in life
To enter the Kingdom of His Majesty,
To truly connect with the divine, or to live a life of purpose and meaning
On earth we got to live in perfect harmony.
We need to find balance and harmony in all aspects of our lives
Contributed by Gianna D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@homeshomes3855
Got to know;
What you're living for
Know what you're loving for
Who you're praying to
What you're singing for
Who you're playing with
What you're working for
Who you're talking to
What you're listening for
What you're hoping for
What you riding for
What you dancing for
What your striving for
A true
@edmarquescosta6004
Dennis Brown - A True
My people listen carefully,
To reality.. yeah.
Ooh.. yes!
A true, a true hmmm.. a true.
Hmmm, a true, hmmm, nuh true.
We got to know what we're living for,
And we got to know what we're loving for.
We got to know who we're praying to,
And we got to know what we're singing for.
We got to know who we're playing with,
And we got to know what we're working for.
We got to know who we're talking to,
And we got to know what we're listening for.
Yes we got to know what we're writing for,
And we got to know what we're dancing for.
Yes we got to know what we're striving for.
Well, a true, hmmm.. nuh true.
Hmmm.. a true, hmmm.. nuh true.
To enter the Kingdom of His Majesty,
On earth we got to live in perfect harmony.
Hmmm.. nuh true, hmmm.. a true.
Hmmm.. nuh true, yeah-yeah-yeah.
Are you picking up.
Oh yeah now, say we;
We got to know what we're living for,
And we got to know what we're loving for.
We got to know who we're praying to,
And we got to know what we're singing for.
And we got to know who we're playing with,
We got to know what we're working for.
Yes we got to know who we're talking to,
And we got to know what we're listening for.
Yes we got to know what we're writing for,
And we got to know what we're dancing for.
Yes we got to know what we're striving for.
Well, a true, hmmm.. nuh true.
Hmmm.. a true, hmmm.. nuh true.
To enter the Kingdom of His Majesty,
On earth we got to live in perfect harmony, yeah.
Oh yeah now, hmm.. a true..
(https://www.jah-lyrics.com/song/dennis-brown-a-true)
* Dennis Brown lyrics are copyright by their rightful owner(s) and Jah Lyrics in no way takes copyright or claims the lyrics belong to us.
** Jah Lyrics exists solely for the purpose of archiving all reggae lyrics and makes no profit from this website.
@gustavoxavier2233
Que letra atual no contexto do Brasil! Devemos saber com que falamos, amamos, nos entregamos.... tem faxo pra todos os lados!
@homeshomes3855
Got to know;
What you're living for
Know what you're loving for
Who you're praying to
What you're singing for
Who you're playing with
What you're working for
Who you're talking to
What you're listening for
What you're hoping for
What you riding for
What you dancing for
What your striving for
A true
@giovannaiara7413
ouvir esses sons com o fone de ouvido e ser completamente enfeitiçada pelo baixo
@riley124
You got to know what you are living for. Blessed Dennis eternally rides again.
@paulawells4809
Such a beautiful uplifting tune, Jah Rastafari x
@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG
@Paula Wells Yes.. ?
@mariawood2467
Bringing back good times. Beautiful voice.
@beverleyireene6138
goosebumps voice of an angel Blessed 1❤
@MichaelSmith-nc5vj
Dennis Emmanuel Brown my favorite singer of all time. RIP D. Brown
@kamkam4571
Truly the best