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Junior Byles (Kerrie Byles Junior, aka King Chubby) was born in Kingston, Jamaica 1948.
He first formed The Versatiles with friends Ben Davis and Dudley Earl, and they were soon recording. Their first songs were cut for Joe Gibbs, with Lynn Tait's Band under Lee Perry's direction. From these sessions came "The Time Has Come", which was entered for the 1967 festival.
Another festival entry was 1971's "Rub Up" in 1971, but Byles' debut solo single (1970) was "What The World Is Coming To" c/w "Live As One", and released in the UK with strings and vocal chorus.
In 1971 Byles also recorded "Beat Down Babylon" (co-written by friend Harold Meikle) for Lee "Scratch" Perry, backed by The Now Generation Band (including Val Douglas Bass, Mikey Chung Guitar, and Wire Lindo Organ).
Following the critical acclaim "Babylon" received, Byles then worked with Perry for the whole of 1972. These sessions produced 12 tracks, 10 of which formed the album "Beat Down Babylon".
In what must have been some incredible moments of musical genius, Perry recorded Junior Byles' monumental hit "A Place Called Africa" at the same session that produced Bunny Wailer's phenomenal hit "Dreamland". The musicians at these sessions included the Barrett brothers, Tony Chin (lead guitar), Glen Adams (organ), and the rhythm guitar of Reggie Lewis.
During the mid to late 1970's he was reduced to homelessness, hunger and mental turmoil, and spent much of his life living at the street level. Indeed, his mental condition was so frail at this time, that upon hearing of Haile Selassies' death on August 27 1975, he tried suicide. This resulted in a long stay at Kingstons Bellevue mental hospital.
Byles still managed to record during these troubled times, with releases on Thing, Micron, Lovepower, Well Charge, Clocktower, Hot Shot, Impact, Treasure Isle, Observer, Advance, Soul Beat, Upsetter, Justice League, Wizzdom and Orchid.
Aside from the tracks already mentioned, "The Long Way", "Chant Down Babylon", "Bury O Boy", "Fade Away" and the incredible "Curley Locks" all rank as some of the greatest music Jamaica has ever produced.
Apart from the retrospective looks at his career, Byles still occasionally releases new material, as well as composing for other artist's. He recently performed his first show in the U.S. at the Sierra Nevada Festival in Marysville and the Ocean Rooms in Hackney, though he appeared less than 100% mentally well at the latter.
Beat Down Babylon
Junior Byles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Say me no dig them kind of wicked men
For me no find no righteousness
All I see is dread dread wickedness
Everybody beat down Babylon
Everybody whip them wicked men
Oh what a wicked situation
Must we all die for salvation
This may cause a revolution
Plenty dangerous pollution Everybody beat down Babylon
Everybody whip them wicked men
Whip them, whip them
Never turn your back on them people
Never let them know what you’re doing
The lyrics to Junior Byles's song Beat Down Babylon call for people to rise up against the Babylon system, which is often associated with oppression and injustice. The first two lines suggest that the singer does not approve of or agree with the kind of people who make up Babylon, describing them as "wicked men". The third line expresses a sense of despair or hopelessness, as if the singer cannot find any positive or redeeming qualities in the system or its agents. The final line of the verse sums up the singer's attitude towards Babylon as being "dread dread wickedness".
The chorus of the song calls for everyone to "beat down Babylon" and "whip them wicked men". This is a clear call to action, encouraging listeners to stand up against the Babylon system and those who represent it. The repetition of the phrase "whip them" adds a sense of urgency and aggression to the message. The second verse evokes feelings of desperation and anger, suggesting that the situation is so dire that it may require a revolution to bring about change. The final line of the verse, "plenty dangerous pollution", suggests that the Babylon system is not only harmful to people, but to the environment as well.
Line by Line Meaning
Say me no like that kind of Babylon
I don't approve of the oppressive society filled with corruption and cruelty.
Say me no dig them kind of wicked men
I don't support the evil individuals who cause harm to others.
For me no find no righteousness
I can't find any signs of morality in this society.
All I see is dread dread wickedness
All I observe is a terrifying culture of malevolence.
Everybody beat down Babylon
We must all come together to overthrow the oppressive society.
Everybody whip them wicked men
We must inflict punishment on the evil individuals who cause harm.
Whip them, whip them
Punish the wicked for their wrongdoings.
Oh what a wicked situation
This society is in an unacceptable state of evil and corruption.
Must we all die for salvation
Do we have to give our lives to bring about positive change?
This may cause a revolution
The necessary actions to bring about positive change may lead to political upheaval.
Plenty dangerous pollution
There's plenty of harmful ideas and beliefs leading to the destruction of the society.
Never turn your back on them people
Don't ignore the problems and situations caused by the tyrants leading society.
Never let them know what you're doing
Don't let the tyrants know of your intentions and strategies to bring about change.
Contributed by Jeremiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lorenzo_firinu
Seh, mi nah like the kinda Babylon
Seh, mi nah dig them kinda wicked men
For I am a righteous Rastaman
And I am a dread, dread, one I man
I and I go beat down Babylon
I and I go beat down Babylon
I and I must whip dem wicked men
I and I must whip dem wicked men
Oh, what a wicked situation
I and I starving
This might cause a revolution
And a dangerous pollution
I and I go beat down Babylon
I and I must beat down Babylon
I and I go whip dem wicked men
I and I go beat down Babylon
Whoah yeah, yeah, yeah
Whip them, whip them - Lord!
Whip them, whip them - Lord!
Whip them, whip them - Lord!
Whip them, whip them - Lord!
(..)
Oh, what a wicked situation
I and I dying for salvation
This may cause a revolution
And a dangerous pollution
I and I must beat down Babylon
I and I go beat down Babylon
I and I must beat down Babylon
I and I must whip dem wicked men.
Whip them, whip them - Lord!
Whip them, whip them - Lord!
Whip them, whip them - Lord!
Whip them, whip them - Lord..
@eyebrigade7010
As a Reggae guitarist listening to the musicians play on this song is perfection! Big up the great Junior Byles
@Higher_Sun_Highzak
True true
@hellobiafra
Mickey Chung and George Chung
@Higher_Sun_Highzak
Val Douglas on bass guitar
@hellobiafra
@@Higher_Sun_Highzak yeah! NowGeneration band
@Higher_Sun_Highzak
@@hellobiafra that's the one.! . I couldn't remember the name of this musician crew..... Man, this song is a real perennial... Stands the test of time EVERY TIME!!
@t_ruth555
This is the reason reggae music touches my heart as much as it does 🔴🟡🟢
@shadowshade4954
Beating down Babylon 2022!
@ThisPineappleLife
Still whippin’
@patriot_ben5750
Still standing up to Babylon 2023 🔥