Roy Samuel Reid (June 28, 1944-November 27, 1999, born in St. Thomas, Jamai… Read Full Bio ↴Roy Samuel Reid (June 28, 1944-November 27, 1999, born in St. Thomas, Jamaica) - better known as I-Roy - was a Jamaican deejay who had a very prolific career during the '70s.

Deriving his name and to some extent his style from U-Roy, Reid was also heavily influenced in his early career by Dennis Alcapone. With early recordings for Gussie Clarke, Glen Brown, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Bunny Lee, Reid established himself at the forefront of 1970's reggae DJ's. His debut album "Presenting I Roy" is considered a classic of its genre, and was followed up by a series of strong albums including "Hell and Sorrow". For several years from 1975, I Roy engaged in an on-record slanging match with fellow DJ Prince Jazzbo, the two trading insults on successive singles, although in reality they were good friends. In 1976, I Roy signed to Virgin Records with whom he would go on to release five albums. Reggae's move to the Dancehall era in the 1980's saw I Roy's popularity decline and although he continued to record, his output was not of the standard that he had set in the previous decade. His song Sidewalk Killer is featured on the Reggae radio station K-JAH Radio West in popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, released in October 2004.

He died in 1999 of heart failure.

Late At Night
I-Roy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Getting real snakey with a bitch yeah
Yeah I take her back to my crib
Bring her to my bridge
Freezer or the Ditch
Or sink it with the fish
We feast on takeout yeah
You know it's all a dig
Film like Haley Bridge

Biting all my wrists
All vice city gangs
Know its just a smidge
My car from Ibiza
Bedsheets from Giza
You blinking,
You bracking
We know you a geezer
Yeah
You know who's on the beat yeah
You come down think you rocking diamonds on my street
I'll make her pop you to the beat
You can't hand me evidence if it ain't concrete
Laying back in the back seat
When we pull over wrap you up in the sheets
You can't taste revenge?
Man I taste it, it's so sweet
"That kinda talk?"
Yeah man I'll repeat
But I'll never face down with defeat, yeah uh
Put this in repeat yeah uh
Got the green, it don't smell like weed
Getting real snakey with a bitch yeah
Yeah I take her back to my crib
Bring her to my bridge
Freezer or the Ditch
Or sink it with the fish
We feast on takeout yeah
You know it's all a dig
Film like Haley Bridge
Biting all my wrists
All vice city gangs
Know its just a smidge
My car from Ibiza
Bedsheets from Giza
You blinking

You bracking
We know you a geezer

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to I-Roy's song Late At Night depict the inner turmoil of a person who has been living a solitary life for a long time and has been having late nights, possibly to cope with loneliness. While the person has been feeling off-balance lately, they have been seeing someone who claims to love them, but the relationship doesn't feel right. The person is aware that their partner is not truthful, but they can't seem to resist them either. The lyrics suggest that the relationship keeps the person up in the middle of the night, and they are tired of dealing with the lies.

The expression "shawty" is usually used to refer to a younger, attractive person in a romantic context. The lyrics of the song indicate that the singer is at odds with their own emotions and wants. They seem to enjoy the attention of their partner, despite feeling off-balance, and this internal conflict is portrayed in the song. The lyrics are relatable to many people who have been in an unfulfilling romantic relationship or observed a friend or family member in such a situation. Ultimately, the song portrays the struggle to balance one's feelings with the reality of a situation.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah
Expressing agreement or confirmation.

I've been on my own for a long time
I have been alone for quite a while now.

Yeah you know that I've been having late nights
I have been staying up late at night frequently, as you already know.

Lately I ain't been in my right mind
Recently, I have not been thinking or behaving in a rational or normal way.

Shawty said she love me that don't feel right
A woman claims to love me, but it doesn't seem genuine or appropriate.

I've been on my own for a long time
I have been alone for quite a while now.

Yeah you know that I've been having late nights
I have been staying up late at night frequently, as you already know.

Lately I ain't been in my right mind
Recently, I have not been thinking or behaving in a rational or normal way.

Shawty said she love me that don't feel right
A woman claims to love me, but it doesn't seem genuine or appropriate.

Yeah she pulling up at 10/1
She is arriving at my location at ten minutes past one in the morning.

She ain't think 'bout leaving till the night is done
She has no intention of leaving until the night is over.

I know you said that you down for my love now
You claimed to be committed to me and my love presently.

But baby girl you know I can't trust ya
However, you know very well that I cannot trust you.

She always keeps me up in the dead of night
She keeps me wide awake during the darkest hours of the night.

Fuck it I've been tryna get her out my mind
I have been attempting to forget about her and get her out of my thoughts, but to no avail.

She ain't ever try to leave without a fight
She never tries to leave without arguing or causing a scene.

I've been getting tired of all her lies
I have grown weary of her falsehoods or deceptions.

No now now
An expression used to indicate disbelief or doubt.

Girl I know, girl I know, girl I know
I am aware and cognizant, girl.

You ain't one to tell the truth
You do not have a reputation for being honest.

But I can't get enough of you
Despite your dishonesty, I find myself unable to resist you.

Cant forget 'bout what you put me through
I cannot forget or ignore the pain and hardship you have caused me.

That don't feel right
That does not seem appropriate or genuine.