In 1999, Gentleman released his first album Trodin on and in 2002, his 2nd longplayer Journey to Jah. His album Confidence climbed to number 1 on the German album charts in 2004.
2007: Another Intensity
His career began with the collaboration of the band Freundekreis which produced the song “Tabula Rasa.” After beginning his career as dancehall deejay , his music oriented to the classic form of the reggae, as it was between 1970 and 1985, with artists as Bob Marley, Max Romeo, Jacob Miller, Junior Murvin, Devon Irons, Burning Spear and Black Uhuru. He sings mainly in Jamaica Patois English. With songs like “Send A Prayer” Gentleman expresses his deep belief in God from an universal religious persepctive. His album Confidence climbed to number 1 on the German album charts in 2004.
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Gentleman is also an Indie(ish) band from Maryland. Members of The Summer We Went West, Dawn Treader, Monument, etc.
The Finish Line
Gentleman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now dem can't reach the finish line
Dem get it all and still dem want
Come on diminish mine
On but we think ahead of time
We got the powers and we tell
Dem seh we nuh resign
To dem instinct ya now
Dem cannot follow cause we know what dem a think ya now
Wonder what dem drink ya now
We see dem on the brink ya now
It's getting wicked when the paper meet the ink ya now
Dem getting miserable
Cause dem a praise the devil
Dem never try fi view the thing deh pon another level
From seven to seven - eleven to eleven
Nobody wanna die but wanna go to heaven
The rat race is on
And now dem can't reach the finish line
Dem get it all and still dem want
Come on diminish mine
On but we think ahead of time
We got the powers and we tell
Dem seh we nuh resign
Think me nuh know what dem up to
Dem get the chance dem cut you
Nuh watch no face just hold your space
Gas know dem cannot stop you
and they will try to flop you
even counteract you
sometimes you want live in peace but dem interrupt you
love we bring around
No hating around
Take a look ina yourself before you make a sound
up ina jah jah town
Even when dem frown
we will hold it to a level nun we nuh go down
the rat race is an …
Dem say high but dem fi come down from dem altidute
Dem get the riches and dem still nuh feed the multitude
Dem come around and claim seh that dem seeking gratitude
Dem seeking gratitude me wonder what dem hafi proof
Watch how dem come here and a galong with dem attitude
A measure up but dem still nuh check the latitude
Miles away from reality without a root
Dem a deny the truth but tell dem ago face the truth
The rat race is on
And now dem can't reach the finish line
Dem get it all and still dem want
Come on diminish mine
On but we think ahead of time
We got the powers and we tell
Dem seh we nuh resign
In Gentleman's song "The Finish Line", the singer is commenting on the rat race of life and how people are always trying to get ahead, but never feeling satisfied with what they have achieved. The first verse talks about how some people will try to diminish others in order to get ahead, but the singer and his community think ahead of time and have the power to resist such actions. The next verse talks about how some people are so consumed by their own greed that they cannot even think straight, and they become miserable because of it.
The chorus repeats the phrase "the rat race is on" and emphasizes that people are always chasing after something, never reaching the finish line, and always wanting more, even after they have everything they could possibly need. The bridge emphasizes the importance of love and being true to oneself, no matter how others may try to bring them down.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the materialistic nature of society and how people can become consumed by greed and the desire for more, leading them to forget about the importance of love, community, and being true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
The rat race is on
The competition to achieve success in life is currently underway
And now dem can't reach the finish line
Many people are unable to accomplish all that they have set out to do
Dem get it all and still dem want
Some individuals have everything they could ever desire and still want more
Come on diminish mine
These people desire that others be brought down to their level of misery
On but we think ahead of time
However, we are forward-thinkers and plan ahead for the future
We got the powers and we tell
We have the power and influence to affect things in our world
Dem seh we nuh resign
Despite any obstacles we may face, we never give up
We got the link ya now
We have the knowledge and connections necessary to succeed
To dem instinct ya now
We are able to anticipate the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of others
Dem cannot follow cause we know what dem a think ya now
Others can't follow us because we are aware of their intentions and motivations
Wonder what dem drink ya now
We often question the choices and actions of others
We see dem on the brink ya now
We observe that others are on the edge of collapsing or giving up
It's getting wicked when the paper meet the ink ya now
Things can get complicated and dangerous when we put our thoughts and plans into action
Dem getting miserable
Others become unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives
Cause dem a praise the devil
They are unhappy because they are following destructive and negative influences
Dem never try fi view the thing deh pon another level
They are unable to see things from a new and different perspective
From seven to seven - eleven to eleven
People work hard and long hours, often without success and reward
Nobody wanna die but wanna go to heaven
Most people wish to live a good life and be rewarded in the afterlife
Think me nuh know what dem up to
We know and understand what others are trying to do
Dem get the chance dem cut you
Given the opportunity, some people would try to harm or take advantage of us
Nuh watch no face just hold your space
We shouldn't be concerned with what others think, just focus on our own goals
Gas know dem cannot stop you
We are not easily deterred or discouraged from what we want to achieve
even counteract you
Others might try to undermine our efforts or plans
sometimes you want live in peace but dem interrupt you
We desire tranquility and harmony, but others often disrupt and disturb us
love we bring around
We approach life with love, kindness, and positivity
No hating around
We do not have negative or resentful feelings toward others
Take a look ina yourself before you make a sound
We must introspect and examine our own motives before judging or criticizing others
up ina jah jah town
We feel a spiritual connection and are guided by a higher power
Even when dem frown
Despite others' disapproval or disappointment, we stand by our beliefs and goals
we will hold it to a level nun we nuh go down
Our standards and principles will remain steadfast, and we will never compromise them
Dem say high but dem fi come down from dem altidute
They claim to be successful and superior, but they need to realize their own limitations and shortcomings
Dem get the riches and dem still nuh feed the multitude
Even with abundant resources, some people are still unwilling to share or help those in need
Dem come around and claim seh that dem seeking gratitude
People act as if they are doing good deeds, but they just want recognition and praise
Dem seeking gratitude me wonder what dem hafi proof
We are skeptical of others' motives for doing good deeds, and wonder if there is any evidence of their intentions
Watch how dem come here and a galong with dem attitude
We observe how others approach us with their presumptuous and condescending behaviors
A measure up but dem still nuh check the latitude
People strive for success and achievement, but they need to realize the broader context and impact of their actions
Miles away from reality without a root
Some people are disconnected from what really matters, and have lost touch with their true values
Dem a deny the truth but tell dem ago face the truth
People refuse to acknowledge the reality of their situation, but it's time for them to confront the truth
Contributed by William H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
philcollins90
Its called "the finish Line"