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.
Who We Are
Jacob Miller Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As the rest unfolds from grace
Hanging on a star
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
The path that I take
Leaves your mind to love again
And clouds seem so far
From who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Rain will have its time
Spilling empty promises
Filling half a jar
Of who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Giving up our eyes
For the secrets in the wind
Call???
And who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
Who we are
The lyrics of "Who We Are" by Jacob Miller express a deep connection to nature and an exploration of one's identity. The line "The ocean calms me" suggests that the singer finds solace in the natural world, particularly in the vastness of the ocean. The following lines "As the rest unfolds from grace/Hanging on a star" convey a sense of detachment from the chaos of the world, instead focusing on the beauty and wonder of the universe.
The chorus, "Who we are," is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the singer's search for self-understanding. The lyrics suggest that the singer's path is diverging from that of someone else ("Leaves your mind to love again") and that this departure is necessary for personal growth. The idea of being "filled" or "spilled" by rain suggests that external forces can influence and shape one's identity.
The final lines "Giving up our eyes/For the secrets in the wind/Call/And who we are" suggest a willingness to let go of control and surrender to the mysteries of the natural world. The repetition of the chorus at the end of the song emphasizes the idea that personal identity is ever-evolving and elusive.
Line by Line Meaning
The ocean calms me
Being near the ocean brings me a sense of calm
As the rest unfolds from grace
Everything else unravels into chaos or loses its beauty
Hanging on a star
Trying to cling to something that seems impossible to reach
Who we are
The essence of our being
The path that I take
The choices I make in life
Leaves your mind to love again
Allows your mind to be open to love after experiencing heartache
And clouds seem so far
Troubles are insignificant when thinking about the bigger picture
From who we are
When thinking about the bigger picture, our identity becomes apparent
Rain will have its time
Difficult times will come and go like the passing of rain
Spilling empty promises
Making promises that cannot be kept or just empty words
Filling half a jar
Only fulfilling a small part of what was promised
Of who we are
Reflective of our character and what the promises say about us
Giving up our eyes
Sacrificing the ability to see things clearly for the sake of something unknown or intangible
For the secrets in the wind
Risking everything for the unknown or unseen
Call???
Unclear or ambiguous, left up to interpretation
And who we are
Ultimately, everything we do is a reflection of our character and identity
Contributed by Ian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lucas Panda
Dreadlocks flying through the air!
And all I ve got is love to share
Do you really love me yeah?
Do you really love me yeah?
I m a Reggae Rocker, do you love me?
Six feets tall, straight from over the all, do you love me?
I play the music that I love, do you love me?
For pressure stands from up above, do you love me?
He s the Rocker, she s the Rocker
Rock it to my melody
I m rocking, you re rocking
To my Reggae melody!
Dreadlocks flying through the air, do you love me?
All I ve got is love to share, do you love me?
No matter what the people say
I keep on Jammin everyday! Do you love me?
He s the Rocker, she s the Rocker
Rock it to my melody
I m rocking, you re rocking
To my Reggae melody!
He s the Rocker, she s the Rocker
Rock it to my melody
I m rocking, you re rocking
To my Reggae melody, keep on Jammin everyday!
Kian Anderson
watched rockers more than 50 times ,love my roots ,love my culture ,love everything about my beautiful Jamaica. Rip to all the great artists made in Jamaica ♥️♥️
Blessed
same here papa!
Mihailo Djurovic
REMOVE YAAAAA
Milan Nikolic
@Mihailo Djurovic lol, and my avatar should say that
A S
But not the violence. I'm Jamaican so don't come for me. But I hate how we do each other. A talented people but we tear each other down
gerard bain
Its a shame that Jacob Miller's contribution to reggae is not acknowledged more than it presently is.
Wynnchime
I was so in love with this man as a teenager!!!! I cried for months wynn he died. I loved you Jacob!!!! Rest in peace roots.
Moé Tarawally-Maldonado
How would it be like if Jacob Miller was still live
Alec Moore
music like this can spread to all ethnicity and cultures alike! im a 19 year old aerospace engineering student and my father showed me this song along with the rockers soundtrack and many more roots type reggae years ago and it forever instilled a sense of gratitude in me that human beings can create such soulful and whimsical tunes, causing you to forget all your problems. may tunes like this live on until time and space collide! peace
michelle jackson
Such an amazing voice, beautiful spirit and one of the cutest smiles ever!!! Love those smiles that can make me smile!! Jacob, we miss you!!!