Famous for his silk like voice (hence Garnett Silk) Garnett was an overnigh… Read Full Bio ↴Famous for his silk like voice (hence Garnett Silk) Garnett was an overnight sensation on the early 1990s Jamaican Dancehall scene.

He started out in the mid-1980s deejaying on various sound systems and even recording the occasional track under the moniker "Little Bimbo". By the first part of the 90s, his locks had grown out and he went from deejay to singer, changing his name to Garnett Silk.

Silk was born Garnett Daymon Smith (2 April, 1966) in the Brumalia district of Mandeville, Jamaica. He was taken under the wing of Rasta deejay Tony Rebel and introduced to Sugar Minott's Youthman Promotion sound system, which had a hand in recruiting many young acts who later became international stars.

Along with Rebel, Silk reintroduced Rastafarianism into a dancehall scene which by 1992 had become nearly overwrought with X-rated and violent lyrics. He burst on the scene recording many hit tunes and albums, including "Nothing Can Divide Us", "It's Growing" and "100% Silk".

Tragically a fire at his mother's house on 9 December 1994 killed both Garnett and his mother (with Garnett first escaping then giving up his own life trying to save his mother's). The Jamaican reggae scene was shocked by his death and it is a testament to his talent and his amazing voice that his music is still selling worldwide today, possibly stronger now than it did before his untimely demise.

Friends and Lover
Garnett Silk Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What would you think if I told you
I've always wanted to hold you?
I don't know what we're afraid of
Nothing would change if we made love.

So I'll be your friend
And I'll be your lover
'Cause I know in our hearts we agree

We don't have to be one or the other
Oh, no, we could be both to each other.

Yes it's a chance that we're taking
And somebody's heart may be breaking
Oooh, but we can't stop what's inside us
Our love for each other will guide us.

So I'll be your friend
And I'll be your lover
'Cause I know in our hearts we agree
We don't have to be one or the other

I've been through you
You've been through me
Sometimes a friend is the hardest to see
And we always know when it's laid on the line
Nobody else is as easy to find

So I'll be your friend
(I'll be)
And I'll be your lover
Cause I'll be your friend
(I'll be)
And I'll be your lover
'Cause I know in our hearts we agree

We don't have to be one or the other
Oh, no, we could be both to each other.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Garnett Silk's song "Friends and Lover," featuring vocals from Sharon Forrester, explore the emotional complexity of being both friends and lovers with someone. The first verse sets the theme, with the singer confessing a desire to hold the person they care about. It's clear that they have a deep, emotional connection, but there's also a fear of risking that friendship by crossing a line into romantic love. Despite this fear, the chorus suggests that it's possible to be both friends and lovers.

The second verse confirms the fear, acknowledging that taking a chance on a romantic relationship could lead to heartbreak. But even so, the love they share is too strong to ignore. The final lines of the chorus reiterate the idea that they don't have to choose between being friends or lovers; they can be both to each other. The song ends with the singer triumphantly declaring their intention to be both a friend and a lover to the person they care for.

In essence, "Friends and Lover" is a song about the fear of taking a risk and the power of love to overcome it. It speaks to the idea that the line between friends and lovers can be blurry, but that there is value in embracing that ambiguity.

Line by Line Meaning

What would you think if I told you
Asking the listener how they would react to a certain statement

I've always wanted to hold you?
Confessing a long-held desire to physically embrace the listener

I don't know what we're afraid of
Expressing confusion regarding the source of the listener's hesitation

Nothing would change if we made love.
Claiming that a romantic relationship would not fundamentally alter the existing dynamic between the two parties

So I'll be your friend
Offering to maintain the pre-existing platonic relationship

And I'll be your lover
Proposing the addition of a romantic dimension to the relationship

'Cause I know in our hearts we agree
Asserting a shared understanding of the mutual attraction felt by both parties

We don't have to be one or the other
Expressing the belief that friendship and romantic love can coexist within a relationship

Yes it's a chance that we're taking
Acknowledging the risk involved in altering the nature of the relationship

And somebody's heart may be breaking
Recognizing the possibility that the change may cause emotional pain for one or both parties

Oooh, but we can't stop what's inside us
Acknowledging the intensity of the mutual attraction and the impossibility of ignoring it

Our love for each other will guide us.
Asserting the belief that the strength of the relationship will help the two parties navigate any challenges that arise

I've been through you
Implying a deep familiarity with the listener

You've been through me
Indicating that the listener knows the singer equally intimately

Sometimes a friend is the hardest to see
Observing that a close platonic relationship can make it difficult to recognize the potential for romantic love

And we always know when it's laid on the line
Asserting that both parties recognize the opportunity for a romantic relationship is present

Nobody else is as easy to find
Suggesting that the compatibility between the two parties is unique and valuable

Cause I'll be your friend
Reaffirming the offer to maintain the friendship

And I'll be your lover
Reiterating the proposal to become romantically involved

Oh, no, we could be both to each other.
Affirming both the possibility and desirability of a relationship that combines both friendship and romantic love

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL HOWARD GORDON, JAY GRUSKA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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4y↑3

This song should be on repeat

Isaac Augustine

this song make me remember the moment and the people I was around As a youth man , even tho plenty of them are dead now memories are like gold

medboy78

11y↑2

Uhm actually this riddim is actually called the "Hold the Handle riddim". Breaking up riddim sounds very similar but it is not the same. Listen to the Heptones' "hold the handle" and Alton Ellis' "Breaking up" the melody is quite similar but the beat is different. I think the confusion could be is that sometimes when they redo the riddim, they borrow certain styles (ie, the guiitar piece in the background which Ive heard in both versions)