Boothe seemed, at the time, to have the makings of an international, long-lasting, hit maker, certainly when compared to most of the other latter-day reggae acts. His smoother style gave him a wider appeal, rather like UB40 and Aswad. Boothe's choice of songs also showed the breadth of his musical taste. But for all that, he only managed one more hit in the UK Chart, "Crying over You", which made Number 11.
In more recent times, Boothe has also recorded for Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, King Jammy, Pete Weston, Jack Ruby, Hugh "Red Man" James, Castro Brown, and Tappa Zukie. Plus in 1995, he teamed up with Shaggy, for a new styled version of his old track, "The Train Is Coming", which appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Money Train.
A double-disc overview of Boothe's Trojan years, Crying over You, was released by the label in 2001.
Boothe's official Web site is at www.kenboothemusic.com
I Shot The Sheriff
Ken Boothe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Choke
I Think The Answer's Yes
(Heaton/rotheray)
I'm walking through these pastures
I'm picking up sweet fruit
I'm shaking hands with people
That previously i'd shoot
But nothing will dissuade me
Nothing will dilute
I want to execute
I want to execute
And you tend to meet a lot of scum en route
It doesn't mean you've joined the other side
And because i still wear shorts and my smile is oh so cute
It doesn't mean i'll run away and hide
To a world where the leaders finally confess
(I think the answer's yes, i think the answer's yes)
To the burning of the stock exchange and bombing of the press
(I think the answer's yes, i think the answer's yes)
I think the answer's yes, yes, yes, i think the answer's yes
I'm walking through these corridors
Where crime meets pantomime
They're laughing and they're drinking
On the swill of overtime
And no-one seems to know about
The death-wish that they've signed
Ah, life's unkind
Ah, life's unkind
And they see me as a potential new recruit
They rub their hands, slap their backs and smile
But i still wear suspenders underneath my business suit
So needn't worry about me for a while
So to a world without hunger, where royalty face death
(I think the answer's yes, i think the answer's yes)
To the breaking down of barriers of north, south,
East and west
(I think the answer's yes, i think the answer's yes)
I think the answer's yes, yes, yes, i think the answer's yes
I think the answer's yes, yes, yes, i think the answer's yes
And no-one seems to know about
The death-wish that they've signed
Ah, life's unkind
Ah, life's unkind
Life's unkind, life's unkind
From poor old u2 to poor old simple minds
No amnesty for murderers of poor old working class
Rope or gas, rope or gas, rope or gas
No amnesty for murderers of poor old working class
Rope or gas, rope or gas
The Beautiful South's song "I Think The Answer's Yes" is a commentary on the disillusionment with the current state of society and government. The first verses describe the singer's change of heart towards people whom he previously treated with disdain and violence. He expresses his desire to execute the people he used to hate, saying that nothing will dissuade him. However, he clarifies that this does not mean that he has joined the "other side" or that he will run away and hide. The chorus expresses the singer's hope for a world where leaders confess their sins, the stock exchange burns, and the press is bombed.
The second verse describes the singer's disgust with the corrupt people in positions of power who laugh and drink while signing "death-wish" contracts. He denies their attempts to recruit him, saying that he still wears suspenders underneath his business suit, indicating that he is not like them. The bridge of the song mentions the lack of amnesty for murderers of the working class and suggests that they should be punished with "rope or gas." The final chorus repeats the singer's hope for a better world, free of hunger and barriers between nations.
The song can be interpreted as a call to action against the corrupt leaders and societal issues. The imagery and language are dark and powerful, conveying a sense of urgency and desperation. The Beautiful South's use of irony and satire also makes the song more complex and thought-provoking.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm walking through these pastures
I'm navigating through life's experiences
I'm picking up sweet fruit
I'm enjoying life's pleasures
I'm shaking hands with people
I'm forgiving and reconciling with people
That previously i'd shoot
With people I used to fight, argue or hold grudges against
But nothing will dissuade me
My resolve is unwavering
Nothing will dilute
Nothing will weaken my determination
I want to execute
I want to bring about change
And you tend to meet a lot of scum en route
I encounter a lot of disagreeable people while pursuing change
It doesn't mean you've joined the other side
It doesn't mean I've compromised my values or principles
And because i still wear shorts and my smile is oh so cute
And because I appear harmless and friendly
It doesn't mean i'll run away and hide
It doesn't mean I'll back down from my mission
To a world where the leaders finally confess
To a world where leaders come clean and admit their mistakes
(I think the answer's yes, i think the answer's yes)
(I believe it can be done)
To the burning of the stock exchange and bombing of the press
To the collapse of corrupt institutions and media that perpetuate lies
I'm walking through these corridors
I'm navigating through life's challenges
Where crime meets pantomime
Where people put on acts of innocence while engaging in crime
They're laughing and they're drinking
They're carefree and unconcerned with the repercussions of their actions
On the swill of overtime
On the spoils of their ill-gotten gains
And no-one seems to know about
And no one acknowledges the gravity of
The death-wish that they've signed
The destructive path they are willfully undertaking
Ah, life's unkind
Life can be cruel
And they see me as a potential new recruit
They try to enlist me into their corrupt schemes
They rub their hands, slap their backs and smile
They take pleasure in the prospect of gaining another accomplice
But i still wear suspenders underneath my business suit
But I still cling to my integrity and decency despite wearing a disguise
So needn't worry about me for a while
So they don't need to concern themselves with me for now
So to a world without hunger, where royalty face death
So to a world without hunger or inequality, where everyone is accountable
(I think the answer's yes, i think the answer's yes)
(I believe it can be achieved)
To the breaking down of barriers of north, south, east and west
To the elimination of all forms of discrimination and division
I think the answer's yes, yes, yes, i think the answer's yes
I truly believe that change is possible
Life's unkind, life's unkind
Life can be harsh and unforgiving
From poor old u2 to poor old simple minds
From rich celebrities to ordinary people, everyone suffers
No amnesty for murderers of poor old working class
No forgiveness for those who exploit and oppress the vulnerable
Rope or gas, rope or gas, rope or gas
Severe punishment for the worst offenders
Writer(s): Robert Marley
Contributed by Claire K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Moilenes68@gmail.com
on Without Love
Ken Boothe....one of the greatest voice from Jamaica that ever walk this Earth