- - -
Tall, dreadlocked Junior Kelly is a devout Rastafarian and its Bobo Shanti mansion, on a serious musical mission which is manifested through the quality of his contemplative lyrics, the diversity of his substantial subject matter and his inspirational delivery. "Rasta Should Be Deeper". His “If love So Nice (Why Do It Hurt So Bad)” took a detour through Europe along its route to the top of the Jamaican charts, a position which it securely held for 15 weeks, Born in St Thomas, Jamaica 1970, Junior was raised in nearby Spanish Town. Throughout his childhood, he was surrounded by music, his grandfather and father both played banjo, his mother sang in the Church and his oldest brother Jim was a popular Deejay[rapper] with the Kilamanjaro Sound
There was a sense of comfort and security within the family; Despite their poor economic status they were rich in other ways. “If it’s soup today, we’re happy, if it’s crackers tomorrow, we’re still happy,” relates Junior, “because we knew we had each other to lean on.”
The family was plummeted into depression with the murder of junior’s oldest brother Jim. A part time caterer, Jim was the family’s principal breadwinner and a role model for Junior ; Jim regularly practiced his lyrical toasts in the family living room, greatly influencing the career path of his youngest brother.
After Jim’s death, to help support his family Junior followed soundsystems all over the island just for the opportunity to demonstrate his vocal and lyrical talents. He also began auditioning for several of the Producers comprising Kingston’s crowded music circuit, attempting to record songs. Adhering to his principled Rastafarian lifestyle, he refused to compromise his lyrical content by writing lewd lyrics or songs disrespecting women.
Junior’s career pace accelerated in late 1995 with appearances at major Jamaican stage shows including Reggae Sunsplash and Sting as well as shows in several northeastern American cities. While in America, he also recorded two songs, “Hungry Days” and “Good Tidings” for Willie Carson’s Front Page label. He returned to Jamaica to concentrate on his song writing and met Michael Stanford of M Rush Records for whom he recorded several singles including “Black Woman” and “If Love So Nice”.
“If love So Nice” took a detour through Europe along its route to the top of the Jamaican charts, a position which it securely held for 15 weeks, making it the longest charting number one tune on the island for the year 2000.
“If love so Nice”, one of, if not the most impressive Reggae song, impacted upon Jamaica with a force not experienced since hurricane Gilbert, posing a question every man and woman has asked at least once in a lifetime: “If love so nice, tell me why it hurt so bad?” Utilizing the forceful bass line played by Aston “Familyman” Barrett” on Bob Marley’s timeless tune “Stir It Up” gave “If Love So Nice” a familiar underpinning even though the vocalist Junior Kelly, delivering classic Jamaican blend of precision deejay timing and lovers rock crooning, was unknown to most Reggae fans.
Despite his seemingly sudden rise to success, Junior Kelly, also the writer of “If Love So Nice”, has been assiduously toiling in the music industry since 1985. “Some say this is a lucky break, I say no, it’s a result of hard work,” explains the affable sing-jay Kelly who cut his first single “Over Her Body” in 1985 for Neco Records. “Some say that culture in the music is a dying art form but it’s not. You have artists like myself who try to uplift the nation with words you can live by, there’s just less attention given to us by radio disc jockeys.”
Despite the attention ‘ IF LOVE SO NICE” has deservingly received, Junior Kelly is more than a one hit wonder ; A listen to his Jet Star albums ‘Rise” and “Juvenile”, not to mention his VP Records debut album of the same name “If love so nice”
Smile
Junior Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never let them see you cry
Smile, just smile
Never let them hold you down
Smile, just smile
Never let them see you cry
Smile, just smile
Though you light bill and rent is due
And the landlord is evicting you
Don't you bend, don't you screw
Just do like I man do
And put a smile upon your face
'Cause to be poor is no disgrace
No sweat, no stress, don't get upset
Through yuh going through a phase
This ya name, smile, just smile
Never let them see you cry
Smile, just smile
Never let them hold you down
Smile, just smile
Never let them see you cry
Smile, just smile
Never let them hold you down for you nuh clown
Burdens you bear and all you heavy load
Oh, oh, you walk on the rocky road
Don't let them see the pain you feel
Search and you'll find peace of mind
This ya name, smile, just smile
Never let them see you cry
Smile, just smile
Never let them hold you down
Smile, just smile
Never let them see you cry
Smile, just smile
Never let them hold you down for you nuh clown
Although, you roof it a leak
And you nuh get nuh hussling a street
Whole heap a obstacle you leap
But there is no bitter than sweet
No money in a yuh pocket, nuh shoes pon you feet
But you nah go accept defeat
Well, a little herb him a juggle
A try stay out a trouble
Deh yah a batter batter, him canoe him a paddle
Ride jockey ride although you nuh have no saddle
Because you nuh come yah fi diddle daddle
Mi hollar sey
This ya name, smile, just smile
Never let them see you cry
Smile, just smile
Never let them hold you down
Smile, just smile
Never let them see you cry
Smile, just smile
Never let them hold you down for you nuh clown
Burdens you bear and all you heavy load
Oh, oh, you walk on the rocky road
Don't let them see the pain you feel
Search and you'll find peace of mind
Burdens you bear and all you heavy load
Oh, oh, you walk on the rocky road
Don't let them see the pain you feel
Search and you'll find peace of mind
In Junior Kelly's song "Smile," he encourages the listener to always smile and never show their pain to others. He advises against letting others hold us down and to maintain a positive attitude even in difficult circumstances. Kelly acknowledges the challenges that life can bring, from overdue bills to eviction notices and lack of income, but encourages the listener to stay strong and keep a smile on their face. He highlights that it is okay to be poor and to face obstacles, but it is important not to let it bring us down. The lyrics suggest that peace of mind can be achieved by searching for it within ourselves and not letting others see our pain.
This song encourages positivity and self-confidence in the face of adversity. It emphasizes the importance of not allowing external situations to dictate our happiness and not being afraid to face difficult times with a smile. The title itself, "Smile," is a simple reminder of this message, and the repetition of the phrase "never let them see you cry" reinforces the importance of maintaining a sturdy and upbeat disposition.
Line by Line Meaning
This ya name, smile, just smile
This song is called Smile, and the message is to keep smiling
Never let them see you cry
Don't show your weaknesses to others
Smile, just smile
Maintain a happy disposition through difficult times
Never let them hold you down
Don't let others control or defeat you
Smile, just smile
Remain positive regardless of the situation
Never let them see you cry
Don't show others that you are vulnerable or upset
Smile, just smile
Keep a cheerful mindset no matter what
Never let them hold you down for you nuh clown
Don't allow others to treat you like a fool or push you around
Though you light bill and rent is due
Even if you have financial difficulties
And the landlord is evicting you
And you're facing homelessness
Don't you bend, don't you screw
Don't break down or give up
Just do like I man do
Follow the example set by the singer
And put a smile upon your face
To hide your worries and troubles
'Cause to be poor is no disgrace
Being impoverished is not shameful
No sweat, no stress, don't get upset
Try to remain calm and positive
Through yuh going through a phase
It's just a temporary situation
Burdens you bear and all you heavy load
All the problems you carry with you
Oh, oh, you walk on the rocky road
You face many difficulties
Don't let them see the pain you feel
Hide your emotional pain from others
Search and you'll find peace of mind
Find ways to calm yourself and gain emotional stability
Although, you roof it a leak
Even if your home is in poor condition
And you nuh get nuh hussling a street
And you can't find work
Whole heap a obstacle you leap
You have to overcome many challenges
But there is no bitter than sweet
There can be good things even in the midst of difficult times
No money in a yuh pocket, nuh shoes pon you feet
You may be without money or basic necessities
But you nah go accept defeat
Don't give up or allow yourself to be defeated
Well, a little herb him a juggle
Using marijuana to cope
A try stay out a trouble
Trying to avoid any more problems
Deh yah a batter batter, him canoe him a paddle
Struggling to get by
Ride jockey ride although you nuh have no saddle
Keep going despite lack of resources
Because you nuh come yah fi diddle daddle
You have a purpose and reason to keep trying
Mi hollar sey
The singer calls out
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLAUDE KELLY, STEPHEN PAUL ROBSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Germain Hutchinson
This song always picks me up even when I am feeling good about myself. Big Up Junior Kelly wherever you are. "Just Smile."
Asha Mohammed
I really love this song it reliefs my stress god must have really bless this person to rise above all
Vivenne Goode
Q1
Kaylyn Bullard
I love this song. This is very uplifting.
Enrico
SuperMegaMaxiIperTrue!
Alicia King
been listening to this song since i was 5 and even nw tht am older i still love this song and can't ever forget to smile :)
Afrika Phillips
This song makes me feel better when I am stressed
promise16
it's kinda hard to get evicted and "smile" but i love the song... niceeeeee♪♥
nifliks
😂😂😂
Nicholy Smith
Always remember this song when I'm feeling down.