1) Jacob Mil… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least 2 singers sharing the name Jacob Miller.
1) Jacob Miller (born in Mandeville, Jamaica on 4 May 1952 – 23 March 1980) was a Jamaican reggae artist. He was the first to record with Clement Dodd. While pursuing a prolific solo career, he became the lead singer for reggae group Inner Circle with whom he recorded until his death in a car accident at the age of 27.
He recorded three songs for Dodd, including “Love is a Message” in 1968, which the Swaby brothers, (Horace, later called Augustus Pablo, and Garth) played at their Rockers Sound System. While the song did not garner much success nor maintain Dodd's attention in Miller, it resulted in Pablo’s sustained interest in Miller.
Jacob was featured in the film Rockers, alongside Gregory Isaacs, Big Youth and Burning Spear. In the movie, he plays the singer of a hotel houseband, played by Inner Circle, who are joined on drums by the films hero, Horsemouth (Leroy Wallace) and play a wicked live version of Tenement Yard.
Miller had close links with Bob Marley, who was known to promote him as 'My favourite singer'. One of Jacob Millers biggest Jamaican hits 'Tired Fe Lick Weed' betrayed his political leanings as can be seen in his performance of the song in the film 'Heartland Reggae', where his open enjoyment of a 'ganja spliff' on stage was intended to be seen as a militant statement.
Millers most potent works are often attributed to the 'rockers' singles of the mid 1970's with the band Inner Circle, with tracks like 'Tenement yard', 'Tired fe Lick Weed' and 'Stand Firm' among them. However the track which has brought him the most lasting recognition is the rockers standard 'King Tubby Meets The Rockers Uptown' with Augustus Pablo. Other notable tracks with Augustus Pablo include 'Keep on Knocking, 'False Rasta' and 'Who Say Jah No Dread', all produced by King Tubby.
Jacob Miller had a unique vocal style, using staccato motifs in counter play with the rhythm section, a perfect example of which is 'Tired Fe Lick Weed'. Miller was an intelligent and original artist, and recognised his own potential to lead, releasing a re-cut of his own track 'Tenement Yard' with the title 'To Much Imitator', a straight out attack on those trying to copy his style.
With an obvious energy, Jacob Miller was a magnetic presence on stage,and his appearance at the 'One Love Peace Concert' in Jamaica, April 1978 was typical 'Killer' Miller. Mesmerising and full of life, Jacob Miller invited members of the Jamaican political coalition, the 'Peace Committee' on to the stage for a rendition of 'Peace Treaty Special', conducting crowd, band, press and guests all with his customary zeal.
Some of Millers later work has been seen by reggae purists to be too much of an attempt at finding a commercial avenue for his music, with his yearning for success becoming evident on the track, 'I've Learned My Lesson Well', from the Island Records album 'Everything Is Great' from 1979.
This album, from musical point of view, is almost totaly unconnected to his earlier 'roots' work, and exhibits the ability of the Inner Circle band to adapt to different genres, using strong disco themes here. It is with some irony then, that Jacob Millers lasting contribution to the reggae genre will be forever focused on those 'rockers' tracks, which are, at least culturally, perhaps more important than reaching 'The top 100'.
Miller died very young in a car accident, cutting abruptly short a promising career that had already taken young Jacob from 'yard' (Jamaica) to an international record deal with Island Records.
Miller had planned to perform along with Bob Marley and Inner Circle in Brasil and then to tour with them; this tour was cancelled after Miller's untimely death.
2) Wisconsin native Jacob Miller left his hometown for Portland, OR the summer of 2009 via Amtrak, bringing with him only a suitcase and an electric guitar. After one year in the city he left to travel North America, both to study and perform music while working on various farms and ranches between travels. Time spent as a farm hand in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina shaped his devotion to the finger-picking style of the region. Spending countless hours playing alongside vintage recordings and local old-timers in the surrounding areas of Appalachia, Miller delved into the inner workings of the music’s style and history.
After 7 years leading a jazz sextet and performing both internationally and throughout North America, Miller now focuses his efforts on a different kind of songwriting and storytelling. Whether it be playing for thousands at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall or for 5 people in a Midwest living room, Jacob's passion, voice and laid-back demeanor create an intimate connection with audiences far and wide.
With an affinity for minimalist pop and firm roots planted in American traditional music, Jacob Miller crafts a timeless sound unique to his voice, style and abilities.
In 2019, Jacob released his debut record, ‘This New Home,’ which displays his abilities as a performer, writer and composer. Recorded and performed entirely by Miller in a Portland home-turned-studio, songs and ideas come together to form an album that is honest and heartfelt.
In 2020, he was also a featured performer on NBC’s The Voice; working with Nick Jonas and James Taylor among others.
On May 15th, Jacob will release new music since his debut solo release. “Quarantine,” out May 15th, is a collaborative project accomplished through isolation during the period of COVID-19 and shelter-in-place. It features 2 new singles, an accompanying music video, and a cast of PNW artists.
Westbound Train
Jacob Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tired fe lick weed in a bush
Tired fe lick pipe in a gully
We want to come out in the open
Where the breeze can blow it so far away
To the North, to the South, to the East
And to the West, to the West
Talkin' about Jones town
Trench town, concrete jungle too
From Waterhouse, that's the West
That's the best, that's the West
From St. Ann's it comes to you
The best kali weed you ever drew
So why should you run and hide?
From the red seam, the blue seam
The khaki clothes too
Tired fe lick weed in a bush
Tired fe lick chillum in a gully
We want to come out in the open
Where the breeze can blow it so far away
To the North, to the South, to the East
And to the West, to the West, ooh now
We want, we want to be free
From St. Ann's it comes to you
The best kali weed you ever drew
So why should you run and hide?
From the red seam, the blue seam
The khaki clothes too, yes
Tired fe lick weed in a bush
Tired fe lick pipe in a gully
We want to come out in the open
Where the breeze can blow it so far away
To the North, to the South, to the East
And to the West
Too much chilies, too much, too much you will Jah
Security guard and howl, ooh, yes
Tired fe lick weed in a bush
We wanna be free, we wanna be free, to be free
The song "Westbound Train" by Jacob Miller speaks about the desire for freedom and the need to live openly without fear or shame. The lyrics convey the frustration that the singer feels with having to hide and smoke weed in secrecy, either in the bush or in a gully. He yearns to come out in the open where the breeze can carry away the smoke to the four cardinal points - North, South, East, and West. The song mentions several places in Jamaica such as Jones Town, Trench Town, Concrete Jungle, Waterhouse, and St. Ann's, the latter being known for producing the best quality "kali" weed. The singer questions why people have to run and hide from the police or security guards who wear red, blue, or khaki uniforms. He asserts the desire to be free, and the repetition of the chorus emphasizes this yearning.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, now, want to be free
The singer wants to be free.
Tired fe lick weed in a bush
The singer is tired of smoking weed in a secluded area.
Tired fe lick pipe in a gully
The singer is tired of smoking a pipe in a ditch or low area.
We want to come out in the open
The singer wants to smoke weed in an open area.
Where the breeze can blow it so far away
The singer wants to smoke weed in an area where the wind can blow the smoke away.
To the North, to the South, to the East
The singer wants to smoke weed without regard to the cardinal direction.
And to the West, to the West
The singer wants to smoke weed to the west.
Talkin' about Jones town
The singer mentions Jones Town, which may be a reference to a location where marijuana is grown.
Trench town, concrete jungle too
The singer mentions Trench Town and a concrete jungle, which may be other locations for growing or buying marijuana.
From Waterhouse, that's the West
The singer references Waterhouse as a location where marijuana is bought or sold.
That's the best, that's the West
The singer believes the West, specifically Waterhouse, is the best location for obtaining marijuana.
From St. Ann's it comes to you
The singer mentions St. Ann's as a location where high-quality marijuana is grown and distributed.
The best kali weed you ever drew
The singer is referencing the high quality of marijuana from St. Ann's.
So why should you run and hide?
The singer questions why people should hide while smoking weed.
From the red seam, the blue seam
The singer may be referencing the police or military, who wear either red or blue uniforms.
The khaki clothes too
The singer may be referencing a different type of military uniform.
Too much chilies, too much, too much you will Jah
This line is unclear and may be a reference to the effects of smoking too much weed.
Security guard and howl, ooh, yes
This line is also unclear and may reference the singer's fear of getting caught while smoking weed.
We wanna be free, we wanna be free, to be free
The singer reiterates the desire for freedom to smoke weed without fear of being caught or judged.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: PHILIP ALLEN BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Anna12730
I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH ITS LITERALLY MY FAVORITE 🤩🤩🤩LIKE WHO CAN DISLIKE THID MASTERPIECE 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
@Death138death
How can you dislike this? It’s a hit can’t miss!
@56postoffice
Went way too soon. Died in a car crash, 1980. RIP Jacob.
@dubwiseselecta1
Classic Sounds!! Killer Miller
@clevelandtownsend1570
Sweet vocals yes this is talent at its best Rip killa milla
@SelectaKwaby
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! bad tune love it!!!
@rogerioribeiroleal
Brasil 2021! Salvador, Bahia!
@Volpearg
Classic
@yudesc
mmmm, i love this!
@RAMLIA1
❤️❤️❤️