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)
Lithium
Little Roy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly, but that's okay, 'cause so are you
We've broken our mirrors
Sunday morning is everyday for all I care
And I'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze
Hey, hey, hey
I'm so lonely but that's okay I shaved my head
And I'm not sad
And just maybe I'm to blame for all I've heard
But I'm not sure
I'm so excited, I can't wait to meet you there
But I don't care
I'm so horny but that's okay
My will is good
Hey, hey, hey
I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack
I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack
I'm so happy 'cause today
I've found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly, that's okay, 'cause so are you
Broke our mirrors
Sunday morning is everyday for all I care
And I'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze
'Cause I've found god
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack
I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack
The lyrics of Little Roy's "Lithium" can be interpreted as a reflection of the artist's personal experience with mental illness, specifically depression and bipolar disorder. The song begins with the singer feeling happy because he has found his friends, who happen to be inside his head. This could be seen as a reference to the voices in his head or the different aspects of his personality. The line "I'm so ugly, but that's okay, 'cause so are you" could be interpreted as a form of self-acceptance, a recognition that his flaws are not unique and that everyone is flawed in some way.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "I'm not gonna crack," which could be interpreted as a declaration of resilience in the face of his mental illness. The lines "I'm so lonely but that's okay, I shaved my head and I'm not sad," suggest a willingness to embrace unconventional methods to cope with his depression or other mental health issues. The reference to "lighting candles" and "finding God" could be interpreted as seeking spiritual or emotional comfort to deal with his inner turmoil.
The final lines of the song, "I'm so happy 'cause today, I've found my friends, they're in my head" brings the song full circle, reaffirming the singer's acceptance of the voices or different aspects of his personality that he previously mentioned in the beginning of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so happy because today
I've found my friends
They're in my head
I'm elated today, as I have found solace in my inner thoughts, where my friends reside
I'm so ugly, but that's okay, 'cause so are you
We've broken our mirrors
I may not be physically attractive, but that doesn't bother me as I know that we are all flawed. In fact, I have shattered my mirrors on purpose
Sunday morning is everyday for all I care
And I'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze
'Cause I've found god
Hey, hey, hey
To me, every day is like a lazy Sunday morning and I am not afraid of the unknown. I light candles in a trance-like state because I have found comfort in spirituality
I'm so lonely but that's okay I shaved my head
And I'm not sad
Although I may feel lonely at times, I have taken control of my appearance by shaving my head and this has left me feeling content
And just maybe I'm to blame for all I've heard
But I'm not sure
I may have contributed to what people think of me, but I am not entirely certain
I'm so excited, I can't wait to meet you there
But I don't care
I am eagerly anticipating meeting someone, but I am indifferent to the outcome
I'm so horny but that's okay
My will is good
Hey, hey, hey
I have sexual desires, but I have the morals to control them
I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack
No matter how much I enjoy or miss something or someone, or even if I hate them enough to kill them, I am capable of holding myself together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jonisamuels
Little Roy is completely doing Kurt justice here. Putting a new (and unexpected) spin on Nirvana songs we all know and love. It really works, absolutely brilliant!
@davidwantsahug
This is my favourite cover on the album, those harmonies in the chorus <3
@localladb
Fantastic cover little Roy ,love it!
@marceloaragon2395
Soy fan de Nirvana y esto es exelente.
@greenh609
I love this version!!! The lyrical dissonance of the upbeat ska and Cobain's lyrics is genius!!!! I can't believe I just four this!!!!
@matheusvinip
Que versão shoooooooow !
@naotemnenhumnomedipo
conheci essa versão na praia do sono! inesquecível,. tive que perguntar pro dj quem tava tocando ^^
@dangedave1
I love these takes on Nirvana songs !
@sebsxx1
La mejor combinacion (Y) excelente tema !!
@zoootahpeg
This is an awesome cover !!