Most of Johnson's poetry is political, dealing mainly with the experiences of being an African-Caribbean in Britain. However, he has also shown himself more than capable of writing about other issues, such as British foreign policy or the death of anti-racist marcher Blair Peach. His most celebrated poems were written during the government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The poems contain graphic accounts of the often racist police brutality occurring at the time.
Johnson's best known albums include his debut "Dread Beat An' Blood", "Forces of Victory", "Bass Culture" and "Making History". Across these albums are spread classics of the dub poetry school of performance - and, indeed, of reggae itself - such as "Dread Beat An' Blood", "Sonny's Lettah, "Inglan Is A Bitch" and "Independant Intavenshan".
When written, Johnson's poetry makes clever use of the unstandardised transcription of Jamaican Creole.
Of late, Johnson has only performed live on an intermittent basis.
Johnson's record label LKJ Records is home to other reggae artists, some of whom made up The Dub Band, with whom Johnson mostly recorded, and other Dub Poets, such as Jean Binta Breeze.
www.lintonkwesijohnson.com
Want Fi Goh Rave
Linton Kwesi Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waakin doun di road road
Di addah day
When a hear a lickle yout-man say
Him seh
Y´u noh si mi situation
Mi don´t have noh accamadaeshanMi haffi sign aan at di station
At six in di evenin´
Mi seh mi life got no meanin´
Ah jus´ livin´ widout feelin´
Still mi haffi mek a raze
Kaw mi come af age
An mi want fi goh rave
I woz waakin doun di road
Annadah day
W´en ah hear annadah yout-man say
Him seh
Mi naw wok fi noh pittance
Mi naw draw dem assistance
Mi use to run a lickle rackit
But wha, di police dem di stap it
An ah had woz to hap it
Still mi haffi mek a raze
Kaw mi come af age
An mi want fi goh rave
I woz waakin doun di road
Yet annadah dayW´en ah hear annadah yout-man say
Him seh
Mi haffi pick a packit
Tek a wallit fram a jackit
Mi haffi dhu it real crabit
An´ if a lackit mi haffi pap it
An´ if a safe mi haffi crack it
Are chap it wid mi hatchit
But mi haffi mek a raze
Kaw mi come af age
An mi want fi goh rave
The lyrics in Linton Kwesi Johnson's song "Want Fi Goh Rave" provide insight into the struggles faced by young people living in poverty and experiencing social and economic inequality. In these verses, the singer is reflecting on the conversations they have had with fellow young people as they walk down the road. The first verse describes a young man who feels he has no options and is stuck in a cycle of poverty. He has to sign on at the station every day and feels like his life has no meaning. Despite this, he still wants to go out and enjoy himself by going to a rave because he feels like he deserves it.
The second verse describes another young man who is also struggling financially. He refuses to work for a low wage or to rely on government assistance. He used to run a small operation, but the police disrupted it. Despite this setback, he too still wants to go out and have a good time.
The final verse tells the story of a young man who feels that he has no choice but to engage in criminal activity to make money. He has resorted to pickpocketing, stealing from wallets, and using a hatchet to break into safes. Despite his criminal behavior, he too still wants to go out and party.
Overall, Johnson's lyrics draw attention to the circumstances that often force young people into difficult situations and the desire to enjoy their lives despite these challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I woz
Waakin doun di road road
Di addah day
When a hear a lickle yout-man say
I was walking down the road the other day, when I overheard a young man saying something.
Him seh
Y´u noh si mi situation
Mi don´t have noh accamadaeshan
Mi haffi sign aan at di station
At six in di evenin´
Mi seh mi life got no meanin´
Ah jus´ livin´ widout feelin´
He said, 'Do you see my situation? I have no accommodations, so I have to sign up at the station at 6 in the evening. I feel like my life has no meaning, and I'm just living without feeling.'
Still mi haffi mek a raze
Kaw mi come af age
An mi want fi goh rave
Nevertheless, I have to make a fuss because I've reached the age where I want to party.
I woz waakin doun di road
Annadah day
W´en ah hear annadah yout-man say
I was walking down the road another day when I heard a young man say something else.
Him seh
Mi naw wok fi noh pittance
Mi naw draw dem assistance
Mi use to run a lickle rackit
But wha, di police dem di stap it
An ah had woz to hap it
He said, 'I'm not working for any meager amount. I'm not getting any assistance from anyone. I used to run a small business, but the police put a stop to it, and I had to accept it.'
Still mi haffi mek a raze
Kaw mi come af age
An mi want fi goh rave
Yet, I still have to make a fuss because I've reached the age where I want to party.
I woz waakin doun di road
Yet annadah day
W´en ah hear annadah yout-man say
Once again, I was walking down the road when I heard another young man say something.
Him seh
Mi haffi pick a packit
Tek a wallit fram a jackit
Mi haffi dhu it real crabit
An´ if a lackit mi haffi pap it
An´ if a safe mi haffi crack it
Are chap it wid mi hatchit
He said, 'I have to pick someone's pocket, take a wallet from their jacket. I have to do it aggressively, and if there's nothing in it, I still have to take it. And if it's locked, I have to pick it, or use my hatchet to break it open.'
But mi haffi mek a raze
Kaw mi come af age
An mi want fi goh rave
But I still have to make a fuss because I've reached the age where I want to party.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LINTON KWESI JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Selby Gama
on New Word Hawdah
In the early eighties, whilst at university and revelling in LKJ's dub-poetry, I stumbled upon a a commentary which spoke of him in these terms, "his lyrics explode like bombs and his voice is too important to ignore." Three and a half decades later, still revelling in his dub-poetry, this has a stronger resonance and remains apt. His music makes the clarity complete. I named one of my sons Lynton, and have taken time to explain to him the significance of my christening him so. Thank you LKJ for those explosive dynamite lyrics and that all too important voice.