Levy has previously toured with the likes of Buju Banton and Chaka Demus & Pliers, whilst his long list of collaborations includes celebrated artists such as Sly and Robbie, Heatwave, Desmond Decker, Aswad, Jamelia and Shola Ama. More recently he's worked with dance artists I Kamanchi, Krafty Kuts and Kayestone etc.
2005 sees him embark on a lengthy tour of major nightclub venues around the UK, promoting his forthcoming album 'Ghetto Youth'.
In addition to the 12" release of 'Sugarcane' on Eclectic Breaks, a 7" (EB06) is also available featuring a dancehall remix by Bigga and Marga Man, hot out of Fifth St, Trench Town, Jamaica and featuring long time Maxi Priest and Barrington Levy collaborator, Pinky Lou.
Billy The Kid
General Levy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blues Brothers & Friends: Live From House Of Blues
Messin' With The Kid
What's this i hear
There's a whole lotta talk
The people say you try to quit the kid
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But i call it messin' with the kid
Now the kid plays hot
And hot don't pay
I say what i mean, i mean what i say
Yeah, yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But i call it messin' with the kid
Well tell me you love me
You tell me a lie
But i know i love ya baby, 'til the day i die
Hey yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
But i call it messing with the kid
Elwood, elwood!
-yeah?
You wanna mess with the kid?
-nah jake, i don't wanna mess with the kid...
Yeah i know, i know that. how about you guys back here? you wanna mess with the kid? any of you guys? how about you people out there you wanna mess with the kid?
Gonna take the kid's car
Drive around town
Tell everybody trying to put him down
Hey yeah
Tell me what you did
You can call it what you want
I call it messin' with the kid
The lyrics of Billy The Kid by General Levy narrate a story of a young man being bullied by his peers. It begins with the singer hearing about some rumors that the “people” are circulating about trying to quit the kid. The singer then asks the subject, who is accused of bullying, to explain what he did, and the subject can call it whatever he wants, but the singer deems it messing with the kid.
The next section tells us that the kid is talented but has trouble monetizing his talent, “hot don’t pay.” The singer claims to be direct and honest, and he means what he says. However, the subject has been dishonest with him by telling him that he loves him but lying. Nevertheless, the singer says that he loves the subject and will continue to do so. The section repeats the chorus but with the singer asking the crowd if they want to mess with the kid.
Overall, the song seemed to be a call to stop bullying and supporting young people with talent. The song plays on the phrase “messing with the kid” to give it a double meaning of both bullying and directing a person in a particular direction. General Levy’s style of toasting/rapping makes the narration lively and energetic.
Line by Line Meaning
What's this i hear
I have heard rumors and gossip about something suspicious
There's a whole lotta talk
There are many people talking and spreading rumors
The people say you try to quit the kid
According to rumors, you attempted to abandon or betray the kid
Hey yeah
An exclamation used to express excitement or attention
Tell me what you did
Requesting an explanation or justification for one's actions
You can call it what you want
You can use any name or label to describe it
But i call it messin' with the kid
In my opinion, it is an attempt to harm or deceive the kid
Now the kid plays hot
The kid performs well, especially in music
And hot don't pay
Although the kid is successful, it does not necessarily translate into financial benefits
I say what i mean, i mean what i say
I am straightforward and honest in my communication
Well tell me you love me
Asking for affirmation of affection
You tell me a lie
Accusing the other person of being dishonest
But i know i love ya baby, 'til the day i die
Despite the other person's deception, the singer still loves them deeply
Elwood, elwood!
Calling out to Elwood for attention
-yeah?
Elwood responds
You wanna mess with the kid?
Asking Elwood if he wants to cause trouble for the kid
-nah jake, i don't wanna mess with the kid...
Elwood declines the invitation to harm the kid
Yeah i know, i know that.
Jake acknowledges Elwood's response
how about you guys back here?
Asking the other people present if they want to harm the kid
you wanna mess with the kid?
Inviting the audience to consider if they want to cause trouble for the kid
any of you guys?
Asking the question again to prompt a response
how about you people out there
Extending the invitation to the entire audience
Gonna take the kid's car
Planning to steal the kid's car
Drive around town
Driving the car aimlessly around the city
Tell everybody trying to put him down
Boasting about causing trouble for anyone who is trying to criticize or harm the kid
You can call it what you want
Repeating a previous line to emphasize the singer's point
I call it messin' with the kid
Again, affirming that the singer believes the actions are harmful to the kid
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wildxwillx6106
The kid is my great grand pa
@b.casual
good tune!!!!!
@markis699
bele ble ble bleeee!!!!!!! benisimoooo !!!!
@wildxwillx6106
Billy is blood
@hududududu
nice hehe :)