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.
Keep On Moving
Lee "Scratch" Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
I've been accused for the killin'
Lord knows I didn't do
And that's why I've got to get on through
Lord, they're coming after me (a-one more time)
(I say) Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
(Now, listen) I've got two boys and a woman
They're just gonna suffer now
Lord, forgive me for not goin' back
But I'll be there anyhow
I'll be there anyhow (one more time)
(I say) Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
Now, maybe someday I'll find a piece of land
Somewhere not by near anyone
Then I'll send for my love, love, love, love, sweet woman
And my two grown up son
My two grown up son (yeah, yeah)
(I say now) Lord I've got to keep on moving
The song "Keep On Moving" by Lee "Scratch" Perry is a powerful statement of determination in the face of adversity. The song reflects Perry's personal experiences and struggles with the Jamaican authorities who he believed were out to get him. He sings about his need to keep on moving to stay ahead of them and protect his family from persecution.
Perry starts off the song with the repeated refrain "Lord, I've got to keep on moving," which sets the tone for the whole song. He speaks about how he has been falsely accused of a crime and how the authorities are willing to hang him for it, despite his innocence. It is clear that Perry is in a very dangerous situation and is under immense pressure to escape and keep his family safe.
Despite the fact that he wants to be with his family, Perry feels that he has no choice but to keep moving in order to protect them. He knows that if he stops moving, the authorities will catch up with him and he will be in grave danger. Perry's strong spirit and unyielding resolve are highlighted throughout the song, making it a powerful and inspiring message for anyone who feels trapped or powerless in their situation.
Overall, "Keep On Moving" is a poignant and heartfelt tribute to the human spirit's resilience and determination, even in the toughest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
I need to continue moving forward
Lord, I've got to get on down
I need to keep moving swiftly
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
I need to stay in motion
Where I can't be found
I need to stay hidden
Lord, they're coming after me
I am being pursued
I've been accused for the killin'
I have been blamed for a murder
Lord knows I didn't do
I am innocent
For hangin' me, they are willin', yeah, yeah
They are eager to execute me
And that's why I've got to get on through
That's why I need to escape
Now, listen) I've got two boys and a woman
I have a wife and two sons
They're just gonna suffer now
They will be negatively affected by my absence
Lord, forgive me for not goin' back
God, please understand why I can't return
But I'll be there anyhow
I will still be there for them in spirit
Now, maybe someday I'll find a piece of land
In the future, I hope to find a secluded area
Somewhere not by near anyone
Far away from civilization
Then I'll send for my love, love, love, love, sweet woman
I will have my wife join me there
And my two grown up son
And my two adult sons
Lord I've got to keep on moving
I need to continue moving forward
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind