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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.
I've Got A Feeling
Junior Byles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you know, don't you know it hurts my pride
I've been robbed of everything
Because of the color of my skin
Well, all my life I've been bound in chains
Now I don't even know, what's my name
Heaven knows that it's true
Say oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
The loads I'm feeling, I've got inside
Don't you know it hurts my pride
All my life I've been kicked around
Well, Lord, can't You hear Your children as they shout?
Say oh yeah, oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah
The lyrics of Junior Byles's song "I've Got A Feeling" shed light on the painful history of racism and oppression that black people have experienced. The opening lines "Well, I've got his feeling deep inside, Don't you know, don't you know it hurts my pride" reflect the deep emotional pain that results from being treated unfairly based on one's race. The following lines "I've been robbed of everything because of the color of my skin" further emphasize the injustice of racism and the ways in which it deprives individuals of basic human rights and opportunities.
The next set of verses delve into the personal experience of the singer, who has been "bound in chains" his whole life and is now left questioning his identity. The repetition of "oh yeah" throughout the song serves as a rallying cry, a plea for others to acknowledge and stand in solidarity with those who have suffered at the hands of systemic oppression. The final lines "Well, Lord, can't You hear Your children as they shout?" suggest a spiritual undercurrent to the song, as the singer looks to a higher power for help and hopes for a future where justice and equality prevail.
Overall, "I've Got A Feeling" is a powerful and moving commentary on the legacy of racism and its profound impact on individuals and communities. It serves as an important reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the need for collective action to dismantle systemic barriers and address the lasting effects of discrimination.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've got his feeling deep inside
I am experiencing intense emotions that are difficult to express
Don't you know, don't you know it hurts my pride
My self-esteem has been damaged by the unjust treatment I have received
I've been robbed of everything
All of my possessions and opportunities have been taken away from me because of discrimination
Because of the color of my skin
The sole reason I have been treated unfairly is due to my race
Well, all my life I've been bound in chains
I have been held back and oppressed my entire existence
Now I don't even know, what's my name
My identity has been stripped away from me by those who do not value me
Heaven knows that it's true
My hardships and struggles are evident to all, even a higher power
And you know, you know, know it too
Those who are not in my position are still aware of the unjustness of the situation
Say oh yeah, oh yeah
Expression of an emotional and painful reality
The loads I'm feeling, I've got inside
The weight of my experiences is heavy and burdening to my well-being
Don't you know it hurts my pride
The degradation I have endured due to unfair treatment is detrimental to my self-worth
All my life I've been kicked around
I have been a victim of continuous abuse and maltreatment
Well, Lord, can't You hear Your children as they shout?
Questioning why a higher power does not intervene and help those who are being mistreated
Say oh yeah, oh yeah
Continuing to express the pain and struggles of the reality
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ACHIM JANNSEN, ANDY PFEILER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Wright
A genuine Jamaican ! They don't make much songs like this anymore
YW123 Wallace
Oh God. He was seeing into the future.
Sebastian Yáñez
Buena ROLAAA EH
Mystik RaindropTV
Prophecy being told😢
GoodSoundz13
Tuff Chune
rootsobserver
JB The Governor