In 2001, Iba recorded several songs with Bambú Station that were selected for their award-winning compilation Talkin' Roots Volume I. Iba's song Chant was selected as the lead track and helped usher in a globally recognized talent pool of artists from the Virgin Islands. Iba's song was heavily rotated throughout the United States and Caribbean helping to solidify "Talkin' Roots I" as a modern classic. Mt. Nebo Records launched Jah Lion (Children of the Nile), Iba's debut album on July 1, 2003 which has generated outstanding reviews and critical acclaim from industry experts, radio personalities and reggae fans alike. Since the release of his first album, Iba has traveled all over the world spreading his message of righteous living, morality, world peace and unity.
Iba's tours have taken him to Hawaii, Israel, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, and all across the United States. He has made appearances at many festivals including Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, Monterey Bay Reggae Festival, Ja'Sound European Reggae Festival, Chiemsee Reggae Fest, Hamm Reggae Festival and many more.
Iba has released his highly anticipated sophomore album, Many Lives in August of 2006. This album contains many great songs and improves further on his first album Jah Lion (Children of the Nile). It includes a spirited collaboration with Ijah Menelik of Montseratt entitled Afrika, insightful and energetic songs such as "World Crisis, Jah Teachings, Save The World, Stay in the Right, and the already much beloved ode to his Mother and all mothers, Strongest Woman. Unlike many releases of today, the album contains even more songs very worthy of mention in any review of the album. "Many Lives" is a wonderful celebration of music and community building. Iba's voice and delivery is very distinct and his phrasing belies the normal song-writing formats commonly used in music today. Iba's honesty and life-approach also comes out solid in his presentation and his songs are filled with harmonies and call-and-response lyrics, which are always engaging to the audience. Distinct, interesting, harmonious!
Tell Me Why
Iba Lyrics
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Arena
Tell Me Why
Tell me why,
I don't believe in you.
I don't believe it's true.
I don't believe in you.
If you let them, they'll control your mind,
Yes your mind.
But that was only yesterday,
So you had to wash your head in hate.
In hate, in hate.
Tell me why,
I don't believe in you.
I don't believe it's true.
I don't believe in you.
Shall we stand against the wind?
Staring at the justice of their sins,
Their sins.
What have they done to live this way?
In a modern world, the fragile pay
They pay, oh yes they pay.
Tell me why,
I don't believe in you.
I don't believe it's true.
I don't believe in you.
The lyrics to Iba's song "Tell Me Why" express a lack of belief in an individual or group. The repetition of "tell me why" throughout the song emphasizes the confusion and questioning of this disbelief. The lyrics hint at manipulation and control by using phrases like "if you let them, they'll control your mind," and washing one's head in hate. The verses switch between past and present tense, suggesting that this disbelief may have been caused by previous experiences or interactions with the subject.
The chorus asks for an explanation for the disbelief, but the verses provide some clues. The line "shall we stand against the wind" suggests a willingness to fight against injustice, while "what have they done to live this way" hints at holding others accountable for their actions. The final line of the song, "I don't believe in you," is a strong declaration of skepticism and doubt.
Overall, the lyrics of "Tell Me Why" convey a sense of mistrust and skepticism towards a particular individual or group, likely due to past experiences or actions that have caused the singer to question their motives or integrity.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why,
The singer is questioning why they don't believe in something or someone.
I don't believe in you.
The singer lacks faith and trust in the thing or person being addressed.
I don't believe it's true.
The singer is skeptical of the veracity of the matter at hand.
I don't believe in you.
The artist reiterates their lack of faith and trust in the thing or person being addressed.
Happens nearly every time,
An occurrence the artist has experienced on multiple occasions.
If you let them, they'll control your mind,
People have the ability to manipulate others and assume mental control over them.
Yes your mind.
The object of control in question is the listener's brain.
But that was only yesterday,
The preceding events occurred in the recent past.
So you had to wash your head in hate.
The listener resorted to hate in response to their situation.
In hate, in hate.
The artist reiterates the negative emotion felt by the listener.
Shall we stand against the wind?
The singer proposes taking a stand against opposition or adversity.
Staring at the justice of their sins,
The listener confronts the fairness or morality of the wrongs they have committed.
Their sins.
The wrongs in question belonged to the subject being addressed.
What have they done to live this way?
The singer questions what led the addressed to their current state in life.
In a modern world, the fragile pay
In the contemporary era, the vulnerable bear a disproportionate burden or suffer greater harm.
They pay, oh yes they pay.
The artist reiterates the plight of the vulnerable who suffer as a result of their frailty.
Tell me why,
The artist repeats their initial query.
I don't believe in you.
The singer restates their lack of faith and trust in the thing or person being addressed.
I don't believe it's true.
The singer continues to express skepticism regarding the authenticity of the matter being discussed.
I don't believe in you.
The artist concludes with a final statement reiterating their lack of faith in the thing or person being addressed.
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.