By this time, Roy had begun exploring the teachings of Rastafari, having become acquainted with followers in the Washington Gardens area. This turning point led to the crucial decision to seek complete creative control over his music. Deeming the Jamaican recording establishment too conservative for his choice of subject matter, Roy formed his own Tafari and Earth labels with the help of Munchie Jackson and Lloyd Barnes. In 1974, he came knocking on the door of the Black Ark, the studio run by Washington Gardens resident Lee "Scratch" Perry, an eclectic producer known to be sympathetic to the Rastas. Perry set aside studio time for the recording of both "Black Bird" and "Tribal War." The latter proved to be a hit; its status as a roots classic was later assured through the host of versions that followed. Among them were readings by singers John Holt, Junior Reid, and Freddy McKay and DJ cuts on the rhythm by Dillinger, Trinity, and Prince Far I. Roy responded with a string of excellent, Rasta-informed singles for his new imprints that maintained the standards. Lacking the backing of a big producer, however, songs as excellent as "Prophesy," "Christopher Columbus," "Earth," and "Jah Can Count on I" eventually receded from view, and Roy's full-length Tribal War LP was given a limited release in the U.S. Roy's finest efforts then were largely forgotten until Pressure Sounds released the Tafari Earth Uprising and Packin' House sets during the second half of the 1990s.
Roy continued to record into the early '80s. While "Long Time Rock Steady" and "Skanking on the Banking," a pair of late-'70s 12"s cut for Herman Chin-Loy, found him adopting dancehall techniques, he returned to roots flavors with 1981's Columbus Ship (recorded at Channel One and mixed by Scientist). Laying low for the remainder of the decade, the singer returned with Prophesy in 1989, a collection of his '70s material in old and new guises. Roy was vaunted into the spotlight once again when Victory Dance, a one-rhythm album based around "Prophesy," was compiled at the start of the '90s. Following the release of Live On (1990) and a European tour with Gregory Isaacs, Pressure Sounds owner Adrian Sherwood brought Little Roy into a London studio for the recording of Longtime, ensuring that the singer's vision would live on into the 21st century.
Biography by Nathan Bush (AMG - All Media Guide)
Hardest Fighter
Little Roy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Each time you always act the same
You've got everything you'll ever need, on that we're all agreed
I really do believe that butter wouldn't melt in your mouth.
You started out saying that you knew me
But I've never known anyone like you
You said we thought the same, so I just played the game
It takes so long to make you, but a whole lot less to break you
'Cause every time you try to act like a lady, you give yourself away
It takes so long to make you, but a whole lot less to break you
'Cause every time I see you look into a mirror, I can tell that's who you really are.
Why don't you take a look around you?
Just try and see the other side
Maybe you'll find it strange, or maybe you'll like the change
At least you would know there were other people living in the world
You can't play the same old game forever
Someone will surely cut you down
So if you're going to stay around, get your feet back on the ground
Find your direction, follow it all the way.
It takes so long to make you, but a whole lot less to break you
'Cause every time you try to act like a lady, you give yourself away
It takes so long to make you, but a whole lot less to break you
'Cause every time I see you look into a mirror, I can tell that's who you really are.
Many times I've seen you
Each time you always act the same
You've got everything you'll ever need, on that we're all agreed
I really do believe that butter wouldn't melt in your mouth.
You've got everything you'll ever need, on that we're all agreed
I really do believe that butter wouldn't melt in your mouth.
It takes so long to make you, but a whole lot less to break you
'Cause every time you try to act like a lady, you give yourself away
It takes so long to make you, but a whole lot less to break you
'Cause every time I see you look into a mirror, I can tell that's who you really are.
The song "Hardest Fighter" by Little Roy is a commentary on the façade that some people put up. The lyrics suggest that the subject of the song, whom the singer has seen many times, acts in the same way every time. The subject is described as having everything that they need and almost seeming too perfect, but the singer believes that there is more to them than meets the eye. The phrase "butter wouldn't melt in your mouth" alludes to this, suggesting that the subject appears innocent and harmless but may not be as pure as they seem.
The song suggests that the subject of the song has a tendency to play games and manipulate people. They claim to know the singer, but the singer has never known anyone like them. The subject claims that they think the same as the singer, but the singer is only playing along because they know they are winning. The chorus suggests that the subject puts up a façade that takes a long time to create, but is easily broken when they try to act like a lady as they give themselves away.
The song concludes by encouraging the subject to look around and try to see things from another perspective. If they continue to play games and put up a front, they will eventually be cut down. Instead, the singer encourages the subject to find their direction and follow it all the way. The implication is that if the subject can be true to themselves, they will be happier and more successful.
Overall, "Hardest Fighter" is a commentary on the pressure to create a façade and play games that can lead to unhappiness and a lack of authenticity. The song suggests that being true to oneself is the key to success and happiness in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Many times I've seen you
I have seen you many times before.
Each time you always act the same
Every time I see you, you behave in the same way.
You've got everything you'll ever need, on that we're all agreed
Everyone agrees that you have everything you need.
I really do believe that butter wouldn't melt in your mouth.
I believe that you are deceptively innocent and sweet.
You started out saying that you knew me
You claimed to know me at the beginning.
But I've never known anyone like you
I have never met anyone like you before.
You said we thought the same, so I just played the game
You said we had the same mindset, so I went along with it.
I really didn't mind 'cause I knew that I was winning all the way.
I did not mind because I knew that I had the upper hand and was winning the game.
It takes so long to make you, but a whole lot less to break you
It takes a lot of effort to shape you, but it takes very little to break you.
'Cause every time you try to act like a lady, you give yourself away
Whenever you try to act sophisticated or classy, your true nature is revealed.
'Cause every time I see you look into a mirror, I can tell that's who you really are.
Whenever I see you looking into a mirror, I can see your true self.
Why don't you take a look around you?
Why don't you observe your surroundings?
Just try and see the other side
Just attempt to see things from a different perspective.
Maybe you'll find it strange, or maybe you'll like the change
You might find it unusual, or you might actually enjoy the change.
At least you would know there were other people living in the world
You will have at least learned that there are other people who inhabit the world.
You can't play the same old game forever
You cannot continue playing the same strategy indefinitely.
Someone will surely cut you down
Someone will eventually bring you down.
So if you're going to stay around, get your feet back on the ground
If you plan to stick around, you need to come back to reality.
Find your direction, follow it all the way.
Determine where you want to go and pursue it to the end.
You've got everything you'll ever need, on that we're all agreed
Everyone agrees that you have everything you need.
I really do believe that butter wouldn't melt in your mouth.
I truly believe that you come across as sweet and innocent.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GERRY RAFFERTY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
D J Miles
on Hard Fighter
Lyrics for Hard Fighter by Little Roy are:
I guess I'm the hardest fighter
So one day I'll be a winner
In everything I do
There is someone to do it to
But no matter how they imitate
The thing that I originate
Imitation won't live long
Origination will be strong, strong, strong
I guess I'm the queen guestkeeper
Yet I'm the worst receiver
No matter how I give
The people still don't want to see me live
But matter how they grumble one side
When they see me come they got to run and hide.
Because they know I'm doing right
And the weakest they just can't stand up and fight
But no matter how they imitate
The thing that I originate
Imitation won't live long
Origination will be strong, strong, strong
I guess I'm the queen guestkeeper
Yet I'm the worst receiver
No matter how I give
The people still don't want to see me live
But matter how they grumble one side
When they see me come they got to run and hide.
Because they know I'm doing right
And the weakest they just can't stand up and fight