Born Cleve Laing in Spanish Town, he began by singing after his idol Dennis… Read Full Bio ↴Born Cleve Laing in Spanish Town, he began by singing after his idol Dennis Brown, but by 1983 was dee-jaying on local sound-system Django, then City Light Discotheque, Lightning Super Mix, and finally Stereo One, where his reputation was eventually to flourish.

His style wasn't the only thing to change in the early days. His first stage name was Ranking Citrus due to a love of fruit, and later became Ranking Noseworthy after a popular Jamaican radio programme! His principal influences were Brigadier Jerry and Ranking Joe at that point, although by the time he won the Dee-Jay Championship of St Catherine in 1983 his lyrical originality and rapid-fire delivery was already firmly in place.

Business
Lt. Stitchie Lyrics

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Dis a melody a blues
Man a winner caan loose
Tell what you choose now
Created to be strong
Sufferation wrong
Dis a gwaan too long
So help me sing me song
Tana nana, nana naah

Buziness
To help my brother that's my buziness
Can't turn my back on my buziness
To help my sister that's my buziness
Can't look away

Buziness
To help my brother that's my buziness
Can't turn my back on my buziness
To help my sister that's my buziness
Can't look away

Whenever time me hear a yute a bawl fi hungry
Man it certainly move everything inna me heart
That wasn't plan god have fi man
So help me understand explain to we how we inherit dis yah path
Him tella me to be fruitful and multiply
den how come man a suffer nah go accept dis yah lie
River create from tears we cry
From malnutrition nuff a die
Instead helping we brothers here on earth
We turn we faces to the sky

Buziness
To help my brother that's my buziness
Can't turn my back on my buziness
To help my sister that's my buziness
Can't look away

Buziness
To help my brother that's my buziness
Can't turn my back on my buziness
To help my sister that's my buziness
Can't look away

You ever stop fi think how life woulda be if you cold now and you don't have a home
now even a coat fi put on and you cold to the bone now and you out deh alone
Nuff a we have ac still sey we hot got a lot and still a complain a lot
Some man change clothes evertday every weekend dem gone buy dem girl a frock
Brother and sister sick with disease and you still a use di money and buy di coke and crack
Change you car every month like di weather while di people a suffer you a flauce in ice and rock

Buziness
To help my brother that's my buziness
Can't turn my back on my buziness
To help my sister that's my buziness
Can't look away

Buziness
To help my brother that's my buziness
Can't turn my back on my buziness
To help my sister that's my buziness
Can't look away

Use you money buy alcohol and full up you stomach a liquor
But from morning some people nuh drink a clear glass a water
Vomit up youself and wiggle up inna you mess
And you couldn't care less to di tings weh happen to you after
How you fi gwan like you nuh care
You nuh see sey people a suffer round here
Stand up like stature deh a stare
You better nuh mek me argument go fall pan deaf ears

Buziness
To help my brother that's my buziness
Can't turn my back on my buziness
To help my sister that's my buziness
Can't look away

Buziness
To help my brother that's my buziness
Can't turn my back on my buziness

To help my sister that's my buziness
Can't look away

Overall Meaning

In Lt. Stitchie's song "Business," the lyrics emphasize the importance of helping others and not turning a blind eye to the suffering of those in need. The song begins with a strong assertion that a person created to be strong should not tolerate suffering for too long and should use their voice to speak out against injustice. The repetition of the word "buziness" serves as a reminder that it is our responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in times of need, and we cannot ignore their struggles.

The lyrics delve into the emotional response one feels when hearing a child crying out of hunger, highlighting the immediate need to address such heart-wrenching situations. The artist questions why humans are made to suffer despite being instructed to be fruitful and multiply, pointing out the discrepancy between the teachings of goodwill and the reality of suffering. The imagery of rivers created from tears and the impact of malnutrition on lives further emphasizes the urgency of helping those in need on Earth rather than turning away.

The third paragraph paints a picture of disparity, contrasting those who have more than enough with those who lack the basic necessities of life. It challenges the listener to consider their own excesses and questionable priorities when others are struggling. The lyrics call out the hypocrisy of individuals who indulge in luxury while their fellow brothers and sisters are sick and suffering, urging for a change in perspective and actions to address these inequalities.

The final paragraph of the song confronts the listener with harsh truths about neglecting the suffering of others while prioritizing personal pleasures and material possessions. The lyrics point out the discrepancy between spending money on alcohol and luxury items while neglecting the basic needs of others, highlighting the callousness of such actions. The song concludes with a powerful message urging individuals to step up, show care and empathy for those in need, and not let their indifference and selfishness go unchallenged.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Cleve Laing

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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