Lee "Scratch" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry, on 20th March 1936, in Kenda… Read Full Bio ↴Lee "Scratch" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry, on 20th March 1936, in Kendal, Jamaica; died 29 August 2021, in Jamaica) was one of the most influential people in the development of reggae and dub music in Jamaica.

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.

Why Must I
Lee "Scratch" Perry Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Each day is so hard, please help me, Lord
I just can't stand the strain, no
Each day is just the same, tears fall down like rain
And I can't stand the pain

Why must I live this life alone?
Why must I live this life alone? Yes
Everyone is having fun but I am having none

What in this world can I do? Yeah

I tried the best I can to let them understand
That I'm only a man, yes
But I can't seem to find someone with peace of mind
Someone who's true and kind

Why must I live this life alone?
Why must I live this life alone? Yes
Everyone is having fun but I am having none
What in this world can I do? Yeah

Why must I live this life alone?
Why must I live this life alone? Yes
Everyone is having fun but I am having none
What in this world can I do? Yes

Each day is just the same, tears fall down like rain
And I can't stand the pain, no
Each day is so hard, please help me, Lord
I just can't stand the strain, no

I've gotta find someone
I gotta find someone, yes

I gotta find someone
I gotta find someone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lee "Scratch" Perry & The Heptones's song Why Must I? reflect the feelings of loneliness and frustration with searching for love and companionship. The singer laments about the difficulty of each day and how he can't stand the emotional strain and pain anymore. He questions why he must live his life alone while everyone around him seems to be having fun. He has tried his best to find someone who is understanding and true, but he can't seem to find anyone with the same peace of mind that he craves.

This song is a representation of the universal human experience of searching for love and companionship, and the struggle of not being able to find it. The lyrics are raw and emotional, with a hint of desperation in the singer's voice. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the frustration and hopelessness that the singer feels, despite his efforts to find happiness.

Overall, Why Must I? is a deeply emotional song that captures the essence of loneliness and the longing for companionship that many people feel at some point in their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

Each day is so hard, please help me, Lord
The singer feels overwhelmed and seeks divine intervention for relief.

I just can't stand the strain, no
The burden is too heavy to bear, causing mental and emotional distress.

Each day is just the same, tears fall down like rain
The monotony of life exacerbates the singer's emotional turmoil, leading to constant sadness.

And I can't stand the pain
The pain the singer is experiencing is unbearable, and they can't find respite.

Why must I live this life alone?
The singer questions why they have to suffer in isolation, craving for companionship and support.

Yes
A simple affirmative response.

Everyone is having fun but I am having none
The singer is feeling left out and isolated as others seem to be enjoying life while they struggle.

What in this world can I do? Yeah
The singer feels hopeless and powerless, unsure of how to improve their situation.

I tried the best I can to let them understand
The singer attempted to communicate their feelings and struggles to others, but it has not yielded a positive outcome.

That I'm only a man, yes
The singer acknowledges their humanity and inherent limitations.

But I can't seem to find someone with peace of mind
The singer has not been able to connect with people who are emotionally stable and grounded.

Someone who's true and kind
The singer desires a genuine and empathetic companion.

I've gotta find someone
The singer is determined to seek out connections and improve their situation.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LEROY SIBBLES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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