Perry began his career in the late 1950s working with Clement Coxsone Dodd's sound system. He eventually performed a variety of important tasks at Studio One as well as recording about thirty songs, but the pair eventually stopped working together due to personality and financial conflicts.
Working with Joe Gibbs, Perry continued his recording career, but once again, financial problems caused conflict. Perry broke ranks with Gibbs and formed his own label, Upsetter, in 1968. His first single "People Funny Boy", which was an insult directed at Gibbs, sold very well. It is notable for its innovative use of a sample (a crying baby) as well as a fast, chugging beat that would soon become identifiable as "reggae" (the new sound did not really have a name at this time). During the 1970s, Perry released numerous recordings on a variety of record labels that he controlled, and many of his songs were popular in both Jamaica and the U.K. He soon became known for his innovative production techniques as well as his eccentric character.
In the early 1970s, Perry was one of the producers whose mixing board experiments resulted in the creation of dub. In 1973, Perry built a studio in his back yard, The Black Ark, to have more control over his productions and continued to produce notable musicians such as Bob Marley & the Wailers, Junior Byles, The Heptones, and Max Romeo. With his own studio at his disposal, Perry's productions became more lavish, as the energetic producer was able to spend as much time as he wanted on the music he produced. It is important to note that virtually everything Perry recorded in The Black Ark was done using rather basic recording equipment; through sonic sleight-of-hand, Perry made it sound completely unique. Perry remained behind the mixing desk for many years, producing songs and albums that stand out as a high point in reggae history. By 1978, stress and unwanted outside influences began to take their toll: both Perry and The Black Ark quickly fell into a state of disrepair. Eventually, the studio burned to the ground. Perry has constantly insisted that he burned the Black Ark himself in a fit of rage, but it was most likely an accident caused by faulty wiring. After the demise of the Black Ark in the early 1980s, Perry spent time in England and the United States, performing live and making erratic records with a variety of collaborators. It was not until the late 1980s that Perry's career began to get back on solid ground again, after working with British producers Adrian Sherwood and Neil Fraser, better known as Mad Professor.
Perry lived in Switzerland for a while with his wife Mireille Campbell-Rüegg and two children. He continued to record and perform to enthusiastic audiences in Europe and North America late into his life. His later music is a far cry from his reggae days in Jamaica; many saw this part of Perry's career as more of a performance artist in several respects. In 2003, Perry won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album with the album Jamaican ET. He teamed up with a group of Swiss musicians and perform under the name Lee Perry and the White Belly Rats. in 2015, Perry’s recording studio in Switzerland was damaged by a fire that destroyed various unreleased recordings and some of his stage gear. In 2020 Perry moved with his wife to Jamaica, where he died on 29 August 2021.
Curly Locks
Lee "Scratch" Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your mama say you shouldn't play with me
But it's alright
Curly Locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
Your mama say you shouldn't play with me
The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, too
And all I've got inside me is lots of love for you, it's true
Curly Locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
Your mama say you shouldn't play with me
But it's alright
Curly Locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
Your mama say you shouldn't play with me
She's a rum head, she's a walking dead
I'm a living woman who's got a lots of plans it's true
Curly Locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
Your mama say you shouldn't play with me
But it's alright
Curly Locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
Your mama say you shouldn't play 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 like 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 like to know, yeah
Curly Locks, your father is a poacher
And he don't want you dealing with me
The song “Curly Locks” by Lee “Scratch” Perry tells the story of a man who has fallen in love with a woman named Curly Locks. However, Curly Locks’ mother and father disapprove of the man and warn her not to get involved with him. The song suggests that the mother is a drunkard while the father is a poacher. The man also sings about his dreadlocks, which was a religious and cultural symbol of the Rastafari movement in Jamaica.
Despite Curly Locks’ parents’ disapproval, the man remains optimistic about their relationship, which is evident from the sun shining and the breeze blowing in the background. He also acknowledges that there are two roads before Curly Locks, and that he would really like to know which one she chooses. The song ends with the man expressing his gratitude for a letter Curly Locks sent him.
Line by Line Meaning
Curly Locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks
I have changed and embraced the Rastafari culture by wearing dreadlocks.
Your mama say you shouldn't play with me
Your mother disapproves of our relationship.
But it's alright
Despite your mother's disapproval, I still love you and things will be fine.
The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, too
And all I've got inside me is lots of love for you, it's true
The weather is great and I have a lot of love for you.
She's a rum head, she's a walking dead
I'm a living woman who's got a lots of plans it's true
Your mother is a drunk and I am a vibrant woman with dreams.
Thank you, thank you for the letter
You made me feel better
Tee tah toe
That's the way it's gonna go, now
Thank you for your letter, it made me feel better. That's how our relationship will continue.
Curly Locks, two roads before you
Which one will be your choice
I really like to know, yeah
You have to choose between the path your father wants for you and the one you want. I want to know your choice.
Curly Locks, your father is a poacher
And he don't want you dealing with me
Your father is a hunter and he does not approve of us being together.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEONARD BARTLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lumanchu
R I.P TO A LEGENDARY PROLIFIC MASTER. LOVE YOU SCRATCH, MAY YOUR MUSIC GO ON FOREVER AND ENLIGHTEN PEOPLE FOR EVER. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES.
jessert
I love this song and think this sounds awesome!
Steve McFarland
check Junior Byles version!
Lucas Cavagnolli
muito bom!!!
Bazooka Tooth
This might be the greatest album name ever lol
oooooooooooooq
i wish i could sing, so i could sing this song over and over and over and over
Lutah79
Do you know how many times Scratch was denied a chance after being told he had a bad singing voice? But here he is singing - so gwan do yuh ting, and SING!
johndeere25
wow thats one of the best records of my top 5
s90skank
i love all versions made with felling
KingRizlaa
quality stuff