Originally formed in 1997 for Easy Star Records’ first recordings, the All-Stars primarily existed as a studio entity until releasing Dub Side of the Moon. The success of that album led to the formation of a touring version of the collective. The core of the touring line-up has remained relatively intact, including Ras Iray (bass/vocals), Junior Jazz (guitar/vocals), Ive-09 (drums) and Jeremy Mage (keyboards) in the rhythm section. Tamar-kali and Menny More provide additional lead and backing vocals, while the group is filled out by the Chronic Horns (Jennifer Hill on saxophone & flute and Buford O’Sullivan on trombone). The band is always mixed live by a dub engineer, usually Marcos Ferrari or Jocko Randall (of John Brown’s Body). Other members of the musical collective, such as Victor Rice (Victor Rice Octet, Version City All-Stars and bassist on Dub Side of the Moon), reggae legend Ranking Joe, trumpet player Pam Fleming (of the Burning Brass), singers Kirsty Rock (of Trumystic) and Stephanie McKay, Groove Collective’s Jay Rodriguez, Antibalas’s Stuart Bogie, John Brown Body’s Josh Driscoll, and even Ticklah and Michael G join the All-Stars on specific gigs, adding their abilities to the already talented ensemble.
The Easy Star All-Stars—in any combination of members—have been a resounding success. The band has played at numerous major festivals or headlined their own shows in the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Chile, Poland, Turkey, Mexico, Argentina, Israel, Croatia, Ireland, Egypt, Brazil, and beyond.
As individuals, the band’s vocalists and instrumentalists have toured and recorded with Burning Spear, Toots and the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Gil Scott-Heron, The Toasters, The Meditations, Bernie Worrell, DJ Logic, MC Solaar, King Django, Antibalas, The Scofflaws, Diana King, Dennis Brown, Monty Alexander, Sister Carol, and many others. Each of these musicians gets a chance to shine in the typical Easy Star set, whether it is through soloing, composing, or singing, or simply through playing an essential part in this tight-knit collective. Each line-up may result in slightly different sounds for this unique reggae band, but regardless of who plays, the one thing that never changes is that the Easy Star All-Stars deliver a fun, exciting, and different show every time out.
Beat It
Easy Star All-Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear"
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
So beat it, just beat it
You better run, you better do what you can
Don't wanna see no blood, don't be no macho man
You wanna be tough, better do what you can
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it, beat it)
Just beat it (beat it, beat it)
They're out to get you, better leave while you can
Don't wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man
You wanna stay alive, better do what you can
So beat it, just beat it
You have to show them that you're really not scared
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
They'll kick you, then they'll beat you, then they'll tell you it's fair
So beat it, but you wanna be bad
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it, beat it)
Just beat it (beat it, beat it)
Just beat it (beat it, beat it)
Just beat it (beat it, beat it)
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
No one wants to be defeated
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
Just beat it
The lyrics to "Beat It" by the Easy Star All-Stars are a call to action for someone who is in a dangerous situation. The first verse sets the scene, with the singer being warned to stay away from a certain group of people who want to harm him. The fire in their eyes and clear words make it evident that they mean business. The chorus then encourages the singer to run and do whatever it takes to stay alive. They should not try to be tough just for the sake of it, but instead find a way to escape the situation. The line "showin' how funky and strong is your fight" suggests that simply standing up to bullies is not the ultimate goal; the most important thing is to get out of danger.
The second verse continues the same theme, with the singer being advised to leave while they still can. They need to establish themselves as a grown-up rather than just a boy, which might give them a better chance of survival. The bridge section is a warning about the consequences of not taking this situation seriously. Playing with your life is not a game, and the aggressors will not hold back. The final chorus repeats the message that standing up to bullies is not always enough, and it is better to find a way out of danger.
Overall, the song is a powerful message about the importance of self-preservation in the face of danger. It acknowledges that it can be tempting to stand up to bullies and be seen as tough, but ultimately the most important thing is to stay safe.
Line by Line Meaning
They told him, "Don't you ever come around here
He was warned not to come back to the place.
Don't wanna see your face, you better disappear"
The people there don't want to see him and want him to leave immediately.
The fire's in their eyes and their words are really clear
The people there seem angry and dangerous, and their words are stern and unambiguous.
So beat it, just beat it
He should leave and not confront the people there.
You better run, you better do what you can
He should escape and do whatever he can to get away safely.
Don't wanna see no blood, don't be no macho man
The people there don't want any violence or show of masculinity.
You wanna be tough, better do what you can
If he wants to be strong, he should use his wits and intelligence to avoid trouble.
So beat it, but you wanna be bad
He should leave, but he might also want to prove his bravado.
No one wants to be defeated
Nobody likes to lose or be overpowered.
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
He should show his resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
The clash is not about who's right or wrong, but about power and survival.
They're out to get you, better leave while you can
The people there might want to harm him, so he should escape as soon as possible.
Don't wanna be a boy, you wanna be a man
He should act like an adult and handle the situation maturely.
You wanna stay alive, better do what you can
Survival is the main concern, so he should be resourceful and smart.
You have to show them that you're really not scared
He should display boldness and bravery, even if he's afraid inside.
You're playin' with your life, this ain't no truth or dare
This is not a game, and he should take the situation seriously.
They'll kick you, then they'll beat you, then they'll tell you it's fair
The people there might use unfair tactics and justify their actions.
Just beat it (beat it), beat it (beat it)
He should leave quickly and decisively.
Just beat it (beat it, beat it)
The message is the same: leave now.
No one wants to be defeated
The fear of being overpowered is universal.
Showin' how funky and strong is your fight
He should demonstrate his courage and resilience.
It doesn't matter who's wrong or right
The conflict is not about morality, but about power and survival.
Contributed by Riley E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yasmine Alice
HOW AMAZING IS THIS SONG YOU ARE ON SOME NEXT LEVEL OF AWESOMENESS AND IM FEELING GOOD
Felipe Albuquerque
Muito staly... Mandaram bem no som...Michael...
yampier maldonado
WHOHHH en reggae tambien suena xevere !!
John Converse
all I can say is wait till 1:10 into the cut!! Pure magic
John Converse
I have to say, this & "The Girl is Mine" are the best 2 cuts on the record - in my humble opinion
Anthony Byrnes
Just seen these guys/gals in PHILLY last night...AMAZING show!
KnockbookS
masterpiece of a masterpiece
Luis Palma
yeah!! se nos hizo el sueño jajajaja mañana a comprar las entradas :)
grizzay fourthousand
this is fucking awesome!!
KFisch - UNRULY
FUCK YES, this version is sooo sick!