One-third of the I-Threes, reggae's most influential female vocal trio, Jud… Read Full Bio ↴One-third of the I-Threes, reggae's most influential female vocal trio, Judy Mowatt helped to turn the last recordings of Bob Marley into enduring classics. Her sensuous harmonies strengthened albums by Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Big Youth, Pablo Moses, Freddie McGregor, U Roy, and the Wailing Souls. Her solo recordings, including Black Woman in 1980 and Only a Woman, two years later, marked her as a powerful spokesperson for Rastafarian and feminist causes. Mowatt initially attracted attention as lead singer of a vocal trio, the Gaylettes, also known as the Gaytones, that she formed with Beryl Lawrence and Merle Clemonson in 1967. Based on such Motown groups as the Supremes, the Marvelettes, and Gladys Knight and the Pipes, the Gaylettes harmonized on a rich mix of RB and Jamaican dance music. The trio remained together until 1970 when Lawrence and Clemonson immigrated to the United States and Mowatt embarked on a solo career, recording under a series of pseudonyms including Juliann. Mowatt's greatest break came when vocalist Marcia Griffiths asked her to sing harmony on a track that she was recording at Studio One with her duo partner Bob Andy in 1974. Rita Marley, the wife of Bob Marley and the mother of Ziggy Marley, was also hired to sing on the tune. The three woman hit it off so well that Griffiths invited Mowatt and Marley to sing the Supremes tune "Remember Me" with her when she performed that night at the House of Chen in New Kingston. The appearance was so successful that they agreed to continue performing together as the I'Threes.

Around the same time, Bob Marley was beginning to rebound from his split with Peter Tosh and Bunny "Wailer" Livingston. During a visit to the home of reggae producer Lee Perry in Cardiff Crescent in the Washington Gardens section of Jamaica, it was suggested that Marley incorporate the I'Threes into his performances. After singing harmony on Marley's song "Jah Live" and album Natty Dread, the I-Threes performed their first concert with him as the opening act for the Jackson Five in spring 1975. The I-Threes continued to work with Marley until his death in May 1981. Five years later, Mowatt and the I-Threes toured in a package show that featured musicians from Marley's band the Wailers and introduced Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers to North American audiences. A member of the Rastafarian group the Twelve Tribes of Israel, Mowatt recalled her fascination with Marley during an early-'90s interview. "I had gotten to realize in reading my Bible that this man (Marley) was really Joseph in his second advent. I saw in the man that this time he came not only with the physical corn to feed his people but he came with the spiritual corn, which was the message that transcended to the four corners of the world." In addition to her work with Marley and Ithe 'Threes, Mowatt continued to pursue a solo career. Her album, Black Woman, released in 1977, was the first to be recorded at Marley's ~Tuff Gong studios.

Concrete Jungle
Judy Mowatt Lyrics

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No sun will shine in my day today
The high yellow moon won't come out to play
I said darkness has covered my light,
and has changed my day into night, yeah.
Where is the love to be found
Won't someone help me
'Cause sweet life must be somewhere to be found

Instead of concrete jungle
Where the living is hardest
Concrete jungle
Man and woman have to do their best.
No chains around my feet
But still I'm not free
I know I am bound here in captivity
I've never known what happiness is
I've never known what sweet caress is
I'll be always laughing like a clown
Won't somebody help me?
'Cause my sweet life must be somewhere out there to be found
Instead of a concrete jungle
Where the living is hardest
Concrete jungle
A woman has to do her best

Sweet life, sweet life
Concrete jungle
Where the living is hardest
Concrete jungle
Man has to do his best
Concrete jungle
Where the living is hardest
Concrete jungle

People you've got to do your best
Concrete jungle

Overall Meaning

In Judy Mowatt's song "Concrete Jungle," the singer laments the darkness and lack of love present in her life. The opening lines, "No sun will shine in my day today / The high yellow moon won't come out to play," immediately set the tone for a sorrowful and melancholy lament. The singer then goes on to suggest that she is trapped by her circumstances, singing "No chains around my feet / But still I'm not free / I know I am bound here in captivity." The metaphor of the "concrete jungle" is used throughout the song to symbolize the harshness and difficulty of life, particularly for women. However, in the chorus, the singer hints at hope when she sings, "Where the living is hardest / Concrete jungle / Man and woman have to do their best."

Overall, the song speaks to the struggle that many people face in trying to find happiness and meaning in a world that can be dark and unforgiving. The repeated refrain of "sweet life," suggests that the singer is searching for something more, something that is absent in her current reality. Yet despite the hardships she encounters, the singer remains determined to do her best and make the most out of her situation.

Line by Line Meaning

No sun will shine in my day today
Today is a gloomy day, there is no sunshine around

The high yellow moon won't come out to play
The moon is not visible, and it's not serving its night time purpose

I said darkness has covered my light,
There is no light to guide me today

and has changed my day into night, yeah.
The darkness has engulfed the day, making it similar to the night

Where is the love to be found
The song implies that there is no love around

Won't someone help me
The singer appeals to anyone to come to her aid

'Cause sweet life must be somewhere to be found
The singer is confident that there must be a better place to live than in the concrete jungle

Instead of concrete jungle
The current environment is compared to a jungle made of concrete

Where the living is hardest
The place is not hospitable, and conditions are not favorable for anyone

Concrete jungle
The current environment's description is repeated for emphasis

Man and woman have to do their best.
Everyone tries to do their best for themselves and others around them to survive

No chains around my feet
Even though there are no visible chains, the individual is not free to live comfortably

But still I'm not free
The singer rightly believes that freedom is more than just being physically unchained

I know I am bound here in captivity
The singer feels trapped and unable to go about as she pleases

I've never known what happiness is
The singer has never experienced a life where joy is a significant part

I've never known what sweet caress is
The character has never felt loved and cared for in her life

I'll be always laughing like a clown
Even though the character is hurting inside, she has decided to continue smiling and acting like everything is alright

Won't somebody help me?
The singer reiterates her appeal to anyone who can offer assistance

'Cause my sweet life must be somewhere out there to be found
The singer is optimistic about finding a place and people who are hospitable

Sweet life, sweet life
The phrase is repeated for emphasis that a better life is achievable

Where the living is hardest
The present environment makes life very difficult

A woman has to do her best
The female gender's struggles and hustles in such an environment are highlighted

People you've got to do your best
The song concludes with a rallying call to everyone to strive to make their lives better, even if it's in a concrete jungle.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CALVIN BROADUS, TRACY LA MARR DAVIS, JERRY B. LONG, COREY MILLER, KEIWAN DASHAWN SPILLMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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