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Horace Andy is a legendary roots reggae singer, notable for such tracks as Government Land, You Are My Angel and Skylarking.
Born Horace Hinds on 19 February 1951 in Kingston, Jamaica, he made his earliest recordings in the late 1960s. Known for his distinctive falsetto vocal style, he sung on many classic production for reggae producers, including Phil Pratt, King Tubby and Prince Jammy. He is a devout Rastafari and, like many reggae singers, much of his material deals with themes of religion and social justice.
Andy found a new generation of fans in the 1990s, thanks to his work with trip hop pioneers Massive Attack. He continues to record new music, with an album called Living in the Flood released in 1999 on Massive Attack's Melankolic record label.
Johnny Too Bad
Horace Andy Lyrics
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Johnny Too Bad
Rude Boys, don't take your guns to town
Rude Boys, Leave your guns at home
Rude Boys, don't take your guns to town
Or the police and soldiers will shortly
shot you down
The song "Johnny Too Bad" by Horace Andy narrates the consequences of violence and the message is directed to the Rude Boys who gravitate towards violence as a solution to their problems. The chorus "Johnny Too Bad" is a warning to the marginalized youth who have succumbed to violence, that their actions may have severe consequences. The repetitive line "Rude Boys, don't take your guns to town" highlights the risk attached to carrying guns and encourages the young generation to find other ways to solve their problems. The chorus also reflects how the constant violence in their lives has had a detrimental impact on the mental and physical health of the youth.
The lyrics also emphasize the role that police officers and soldiers play in maintaining law and order, and how they may end up using deadly force to maintain peace. The last line in the chorus "Or the police and soldiers will shortly shot you down" is a warning of the possible outcomes of choosing violence as a means to an end. This line can also be interpreted as a statement of frustration with the lack of empathy from the authorities who often do little to address the root of the problem.
In conclusion, Horace Andy's "Johnny Too Bad" is a powerful commentary on the dangers of violence and its consequences. Through its lyrics, the song encourages the youth to abandon violence as a solution to their problems, and to work towards peaceful means to resolve conflicts. It also highlights the impact of violence on society and the role that authorities can play in preventing it.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny Too Bad
There is a person named Johnny who has a reputation for being bad.
Johnny Too Bad
The name 'Johnny Too Bad' is repeated to emphasize the importance of this character.
Rude Boys, don't take your guns to town
The singer is giving advice to young men known as 'rude boys' not to carry their weapons when they venture into town.
Rude Boys, Leave your guns at home
The artist is reinforcing his earlier advice to the 'rude boys' to keep their firearms at home rather than risking trouble in public.
Rude Boys, don't take your guns to town
The artist repeats his advice to make sure it sticks in the minds of the 'rude boys.'
Or the police and soldiers will shortly shot you down
If the 'rude boys' ignore the singer's advice and bring their guns to town, they will likely be confronted by the authorities and may be killed.
Writer(s): Michael Stone, Horace Keith Hinds, Clive Hunt, Maurice Clive Hunt
Contributed by Alaina T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.