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Keith Hudson, nicknamed the "Dark Prince of Reggae" (1946 in Kingston, Jamaica - 1984 in New York, USA), was a Jamaican reggae artist and record producer. He is known for his influence on the Dub movement. Raised in a musical family, Hudson first worked as a dentist but soon was hanging out with musicians like Don Drummond. So, he really entered the music business in 1968 by producing Ken Boothe's Jamaican hit "Old Fashioned Way". In the following months he worked with Delroy Wilson and John Holt and was the first to record DJ U Roy in 1969 with Dynamic Fashion Way. Other DJ productions included tunes with Dennis Alcapone and Big Youth ("S 90 Skank") released in 1972 became the DJ's biggest hit. In 1975, Hudson released his classic Pick A Dub, widely considered to have been the first deliberately thematic dub album, with tracks specifically mixed in the dub style for the purpose of appearing together on an LP. His album Rasta Communication (1978) was well received by a wider audience and is considered a roots reggae classic. Hudson died of lung cancer in 1984.
Albums
Class & Subject – 1972 – Mafia
Furnace – 1972 – Imbidimts
Pick a Dub – 1974 – Mamba / Atra / Blood & Fire (CD)
Entering The Dragon – 1974 – Magnet (reissued by Trojan in 2006 and by Sunspot in 2011)
Flesh of My Skin, Blood of My Blood – 1974 – Mamba /Atra 1988 – (Reissued by Basic Replay 2004)
Torch of Freedom – 1975 – Mamba / Atra
Too Expensive – 1976 – Virgin Records
Brand – 1977 – Joint International (US) / Brand (UK) / Pressure Sounds (CD)
Rasta Communication – 1978 – Joint International (US)
From One Extreme To Another – 1979 – Joint International (US)
Playing It Cool, Playing It Right – 1981 – Joint International (US) (Reissued by Basic Replay 2003)
Nuh Skin Up Dub – 1982 – Joint International (US)
Steaming Jungle – 1982 – Disc Disk
Felt the Strain Dub
Keith Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
4,300 years before Christ
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
That was handed down to a 1000 generations
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
On the seasoning process, on the seasoning process
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
Felt we felt the strain Rasta took the blame
That was handed down to a 1000 generations
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
4,300 years before Christ
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
On the seasoning process, on the seasoning process
Never changed me, never changed me
Never changed me, never changed me
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
4,300 years before Christ, in the wilderness
On the seasoning process, on the seasoning process,
On the seasoning process, on the seasoning process
Never changed me, never changed me, never changed me
The lyrics of Keith Hudson's song "Felt We Felt the Strain" touch on the theme of struggle and hardship that has been endured for centuries. The repetition of the phrase "Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame" speaks to the idea of a collective struggle, with the Rastafarian community taking on the burden of societal issues. The specific reference to 4,300 years before Christ emphasizes the idea that this struggle has been ongoing for thousands of years and has been passed down through generations.
The line "On the seasoning process, on the seasoning process" refers to the process of seasoning, or the experiences in life that shape and mold a person. Despite the hardships endured, the singer emphasizes that it has not changed who they are as a person. This speaks to the idea of resilience and the importance of holding onto one's identity and values in the face of adversity.
Overall, the song is a reflection on the endurance of struggle and hardship, with Rastafarians serving as a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
We experienced the difficulties, but the Rasta community was unfairly blamed for it
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
We felt the pressure and tension, and the Rasta community was falsely accused
4,300 years before Christ
This issue goes back millennia, long before the birth of Christianity
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
We know what it's like to be burdened, while unfairly placing blame on Rastafarians
That was handed down to a 1000 generations
This has been a problem for countless generations, passed down from ancestors
On the seasoning process, on the seasoning process
Perhaps a reference to the process of curing meat to prevent spoilage, suggesting a deeper issue related to survival and sustenance
Never changed me, never changed me
Despite the challenges and the blame game, the singer has remained true to themselves
Felt we felt the strain, Rasta took the blame
This refrain reinforces the idea that both the artist and the Rasta community have been unfairly targeted
4,300 years before Christ, in the wilderness
A biblical reference to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, which may suggest a sense of being lost or directionless
On the seasoning process, on the seasoning process,
This repetition further emphasizes the reference to curing meat or preservation, perhaps hinting at a larger issue related to survival and hardship
Never changed me, never changed me, never changed me
The singer is resolute in their identity and integrity, despite the adversity they've faced
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Junior Walker, Keith Hudson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind