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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.
Curly Locks #3
Junior Byles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your daddy say you shouldn't play with me, but it's alright
Curly locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
Your dad say you shouldn't play with me
The sun is shining, the breeze is a-blowing too
And all I've got inside me is lots of love for you, it's true
Your daddy say you shouldn't play with me, but it's alright
Curly locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
Your daddy say you shouldn't play with me
She's a lonely, she's a walking dead
I am a living man who's got a lots of plans it's true
Curly locks, two roads before you
Which one will be your choice, I really want to know, yeah
Curly locks, your father is a poacher
And he don't want you dealing with me
Thank you, thank you for the letter
You made me feel better, tee tah toe
That's the way it's gonna go now
Curly locks, two roads before you
Which one will be your choice, I really want to know, yeah
Curly locks, your father is a poacher
He don't want you dealing with me
Curly locks, two roads before you
"Curly Locks" is a love song by Junior Byles that explores the complexities of relationships and the societal pressures that can come with them. The song is about a young woman named Curly Locks, whose father disapproves of her relationship with the singer because he has recently become a dreadlock. Despite the father's objections, the singer expresses his love for Curly Locks and wishes to know which path she'll choose in life. The lyrics use natural imagery, such as the sun and breeze blowing, to capture the beauty of the world and the singer's feelings.
The song opens with the singer proclaiming "Curly locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks / Your daddy say you shouldn't play with me, but it's alright." He acknowledges that her father disapproves of their relationship due to his appearance, but he brushes it off and insists that everything between them is alright. The singer then talks about the beauty of the sun shining and the breeze blowing, but despite the beauty of the world, all he feels is love for Curly Locks.
The second verse describes how while Curly Locks may be feeling lonely and dead inside, the singer is full of life and has many plans for the future. He then goes back into the chorus, asking Curly Locks to choose which path she will take in life, and acknowledging once again that her father disapproves of him.
Line by Line Meaning
Curly locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
Since I have dreadlocks now, the way your father perceives me has changed.
Your daddy say you shouldn't play with me, but it's alright
Even though your father forbids you from being with me, it's okay.
The sun is shining, the breeze is a-blowing too
The weather is nice and everything is perfect for us to enjoy each other's company.
And all I've got inside me is lots of love for you, it's true
I have many feelings of love for you and it's genuine.
She's a lonely, she's a walking dead
You seem to be lonely and without purpose in life.
I am a living man who's got a lots of plans it's true
I, on the other hand, am full of life and have many plans for our future together.
Curly locks, two roads before you
You have two choices before you and I wonder which one you will choose.
Which one will be your choice, I really want to know, yeah
I am eager to know which path you will take.
Curly locks, your father is a poacher
I understand that your father is not a law-abiding citizen.
And he don't want you dealing with me
He doesn't want you to be with me because he thinks I'm a bad influence.
Thank you, thank you for the letter
Thank you for the letter you sent me.
You made me feel better, tee tah toe
Your words brought me much comfort.
Curly locks, two roads before you
Once again, you have two paths to choose from.
Which one will be your choice, I really want to know, yeah
I am still eager to know which path you will take.
Curly locks, your father is a poacher
I repeat that I understand that your father is not an honest man.
He don't want you dealing with me
Once again, he does not approve of our relationship.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: LEE PERRY, PERRY, JUNIOR BYLES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GramophonicReevolution
😎👍🥰
@mrrkdino
😉😉
@Mr-DowNBeat
Nice one mate👍🏾 do you use a record cleaning machine to restore your vinyl?
@mrrkdino
No, just a soft micro cloth.