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.
Pussy Man
Lee "Scratch" Perry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girl it's you that I adore
Step on stage and scream for more
All I see, pussy galore
Snap my fingers make you mine
If not I'll snap a second time
After that I guarantee
You will be stanfing next to me
My old him once said, "it's more power than cocaine
Freaks dancing in a line like Soul Train"
To give your product that extra push
Niggas lookin for the time of their life, coppin' a rush
Yo I know sis, Dog, her name Lorraine
See that thick brick house with the chocolate frame
I went to school with her, 12th grade I used to fool with her
She put me on with her squad, I got cool with her
She use to say she wanna be a doctor
and couldn't nothing stop her
from getting up that cash
For tuition even if she had to shake that ass
Fucked up; her money ain't accumulate that fast
Lorraine know it's real, ans sex control America
Turn the T.V. on, it's in the open of the regular(right?)
What the freaks in the video for?
Fuck a song, give me a thong and pussy galore
You see, life's about marketing pussy galore
Every time I turn around it's more pussy galore
Nations goin to war for the pussy galore
Either the cash, the raw or the pussy galore
Yo, gang wars? more Pussy galore
From the screen to the record store pussy galore
Every time I turn around it's more pussy galore
Either the cash, the raw or the pussy galore
Yo, desire and lust can make a man kill
Or jump off the bridge cuffed to a muthafuckin' anvil
So it's promoted like that's all ya'll know
Keep a nigga under the spell, you under control
But yo I seen it make people slit they wrists
Weakness, pussy make a spot sing secrets
But what for, cause sex is the law, law, law
And done been many an empire to rise and fall
From the squares to the players to the pimps and whores,
To big checks that never would have been endorsed
You know, I sit back and just peep things
9 out of 10 it's the same song, only the beat change
So don't be looking at Tariq strange
When I conduct a little litmus test up in your heat range
That's when you see me on stage with six
Wicked ass chicks
Fittin' to get crunk with this
You see, life's about marketing and pussy galore
Every time I turn around i smell pussy galore
Corporations goin' to war for the pussy galore
Either the cash, the raw or the pussy galore
Yo, gang wars more ussy galore
From the streets to the record store, pussy galore
Every time I turn around it's more pussy galore
Every time I turn around it's more pussy galore
Yo, fresh cut, with the thick black velour
With the black Luke sneaks
Headin' out for tour
Looking out the limo window up at the billboards
200 miles, She was the only thing I saw
Promoting everything from the liquor, to the nicotine
Cell phones, antihistamine, chicken wing
You gotta show a little skin to get them listening
For real yo, the world is a sex machine
Full of pretty freaks in designer jeans
That go to extremes to conjure all kinds of schemes
Half the time it ain't even responsibly
Trying to take me someplace I ain't tryna be
GHETTO sin city where the P is free
You catch a bid far worser than a 1 to 3
All up in the after hours on the 2nd floor
For that good thang that keep em comin back for more
It's about market and the pussy galore
Every time I turn around I smell pussy galore
Nations goin to war for the pussy galore
Even the cash, the raw or the pussy galore
Dig it, gang wars, more pussy galore
From the street to the record store, pussy galore
Even the cash, the raw or the pussy galore
More pussy galore, more pussy galore
The song "Pussy Man" by Lee "Scratch" Perry portrays the lustful desires and marketing of the female body in modern society. The first verse introduces a man on the dance floor, pursuing a girl he admires. He snaps his fingers to make her come to him, showing his control over her. The following verses comment on the power of sex and how it is marketed in every aspect of society, from music videos to corporations. The mention of Lorraine's struggles to accumulate money for her education and the exploitation of her body to pay for tuition highlights the societal pressure to sexualize women. The song concludes with a point on the impact sexuality has on society, from gang wars to corporations going to war for it.
The lyrics in the song exposes the societal pressure women face to sell their bodies for personal gain or empowerment. The concept of "Pussy galore," a term coined in the James Bond franchise, demonstrates how marketing the female form has become the norm. Lee "Scratch" Perry uses this term to emphasize how society has made it a brand, instead of appreciating women as individuals. Furthermore, the song demonstrates how sex sells everything from cell phones to chicken wings, perpetuating the message that women's bodies are commodities to be traded for prosperity.
Overall, "Pussy Man" highlights the sexual objectification of women in modern society and how it operates as an integral part of the economy. It evokes a critical view of the society's normalization of sexualizing and exploiting the female body through advertising and other forms of entertainment.
Line by Line Meaning
Dancin on the dance floor
Enjoying myself at the party
Girl it's you that I adore
I am attracted to you and really like you
Step on stage and scream for more
Performing and getting the crowd excited
All I see, pussy galore
I see a lot of attractive women
Snap my fingers make you mine
I think I can easily attract you
If not I'll snap a second time
If my first attempt fails, I will try again
After that I guarantee
I am confident I can be with you after some effort
You will be stanfing next to me
We will be together
My old him once said, "it's more power than cocaine
My friend once told me that sex has more influence than drugs
Freaks dancing in a line like Soul Train"
People dancing in an organized way like in the TV program Soul Train
To give your product that extra push
To make your business more successful
Niggas lookin for the time of their life, coppin' a rush
People looking for excitement and pleasure
Yo I know sis, Dog, her name Lorraine
I know a woman called Lorraine
See that thick brick house with the chocolate frame
Referring to a curvy woman with a dark complexion
I went to school with her, 12th grade I used to fool with her
I used to study with her and engage in sexual acts
She put me on with her squad, I got cool with her
She introduced me to her friends and we became friends too
She use to say she wanna be a doctor
She used to express her desire to become a doctor
and couldn't nothing stop her
No obstacle could prevent her from achieving her dream
from getting up that cash
From earning enough money
For tuition even if she had to shake that ass
She was willing to dance provocatively for money to pay for school
Fucked up; her money ain't accumulate that fast
Unfortunately, she didn't earn enough money as quickly as she hoped
Lorraine know it's real, ans sex control America
Lorraine understands that sex has great power and influence in America
Turn the T.V. on, it's in the open of the regular(right?)
Sexual content is easily visible on television
What the freaks in the video for?
Why are people in music videos acting in a sexually provocative way?
Fuck a song, give me a thong and pussy galore
I prefer seeing women in revealing outfits rather than listening to music
You see, life's about marketing pussy galore
The world revolves around selling sex
Every time I turn around it's more pussy galore
Sex seems to be more pervasive every day
Nations goin to war for the pussy galore
Countries fight for resources like oil, which is also compared to sex
Either the cash, the raw or the pussy galore
People are willing to do things for money, power or sex
Yo, gang wars? more Pussy galore
Gang fights and violence also revolve around sex
From the screen to the record store pussy galore
Sex sells products, from movies to music
Yo, desire and lust can make a man kill
Strong sexual feelings can lead people to commit violent acts
Or jump off the bridge cuffed to a muthafuckin' anvil
Desperation and despair can lead to suicide
So it's promoted like that's all ya'll know
Sex is heavily advertised and it feels like it's the only thing people care about
Keep a nigga under the spell, you under control
Sexual desire can be used to control and manipulate people
But yo I seen it make people slit they wrists
I've witnessed people hurt themselves because of their sexual desires
Weakness, pussy make a spot sing secrets
Sexual temptation can make someone reveal their secrets
But what for, cause sex is the law, law, law
Sexual desire is extremely powerful and often governs human behavior
And done been many an empire to rise and fall
Many civilizations have crumbled because of the power of sexual desire
From the squares to the players to the pimps and whores,
Sexual desire affects people from all walks of life
To big checks that never would have been endorsed
Businesses use sex to sell products and make money
You know, I sit back and just peep things
I observe the world and reflect on what's happening
9 out of 10 it's the same song, only the beat change
Most songs are about sex, just with different music
So don't be looking at Tariq strange
Don't be surprised when I bring up sex in conversation
When I conduct a little litmus test up in your heat range
When I try to gauge your sexual interest
That's when you see me on stage with six
That's when you see me performing with a group of women
Wicked ass chicks
Very attractive women
Fittin' to get crunk with this
Getting very excited and having fun
Corporations goin' to war for the pussy galore
Big companies compete for the attention of consumers using sex
Yo, gang wars more ussy galore
Sexual desire also leads to gang violence
From the streets to the record store, pussy galore
Sex sells in music and in real life
More pussy galore, more pussy galore
The prevalence of sex seems to be increasing
Contributed by Olivia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.