On leaving school, Macka B became a technical apprentice for Ever Ready GB Ltd, made redundant three years later due to the factory closure. In 1980 completed an engineering inspection course. Macka B has always been interested in music. At school, he played the violin, and also joined the school choir. Whilst at school, he became more interested in Reggae music, especially DJ's, I-Roy, U-Roy, Prince Jazzbo. He started to practice at home, but never had the courage to perform to an audience. He and some friends started a sound system call "Exodus", they had good reaction wherever they played, and this encouraged him to write his own lyrics.
In 1982, a trip to Jamaica inspired him greatly, improving his talent. He entered a talent competition in 1983 at the Rising Star night club, Bilston, (including Pato Banton, Ranking Ann) Macka B won, and from this, was invited on radio several times, his name became more known. Also at this time, he was in a band called Pre-wax, they did many live shows, and appeared on Channel 4's Rockers Roadshow. A record entitled Maggie's Letter was recorded with a producer called Papa P, which became a local success. Derek Nelson, producer of Ebony BBC2 heard Macka B perform on radio, and as they had a show planned for Birmingham, asked him to perform on that show, He went down well, and so obtained a regular spot on the next series. Macka B never stopped working with sound systems, Wassifa, and Skippy & Lippy being the main ones. A tape of a show Wassifa v Saxon sound in Leicester, was heard by Chris Lane of Fashion Records, who invited Macka B to do some recording. "Bible Reader" on disco mix was released, and reached No 15 in the Reggae Charts. Also released, a track called "Gentleman with Manners" on an LP entitled Great British M,C's. Met the Mad Professor, joined the Ariwa label and recorded an LP called "Sign of The Times". This reached No 1 in the Reggae LP charts. Appeared on Channel 4 Club Mix, and on the 1986 Sunsplash at the Wembley Arena. Released "Don't Judge Me" in late 1986. Macka B has had a successful tour of Germany in January 1987, along with the Ariwa Possee. His 2nd album for Ariwa "We've Had Enough" was released in June 1987 to coincide with his 2nd European tour for 1987. Later that year, Macka B visited Bern in Switzerland. 1968 Macka B visited Jamaica and "Love It In Jamaica" was recorded. Later in '88 he recorded his 3rd Ariwa album "Looks Are Deceiving". This album proved to be quite successful, and included current single "Unemployment Blues" which was recently featured on BBC2 in the programme DEF II - Behind The Beat. On the flip side is the self explanatory "Don't Sell Your Body". Macka B has since recorded his fourth album "Buppie Culture" which was on general release in mid 1989, with encouragingly good response. The album contained tracks including "Dread a Who She Love" a duet with Kofi. It was also released as,a single in September of 1989, and went to No 1 in the.Reggae charts in the November of that year and stayed at that spot for 6 weeks. It was also featured on a video which was shown in places as far afield as Jamaica, Germany, Sweden and Zimbabwe. Macka B did the Buppie tour which took him to Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. 1990 saw the recording and release of "Proud of Mandela" which celebrated the release of Nelson Mandela, it went straight to No 1 and was also featured on his 5th album "Natural Suntan" - 'Black Man' the flip side was also very popular. Staying with the social comments, Macka B recorded "Pam Pam Cameroon" as his commentary of the Cameroon's performance in at the 1990 World Cup. This record was heard and appreciated in places far as Cameroon, later that year Macka B played Australia, thus becoming the first British Reggae artist to tour this continent.
(Information taken from www.ariwa.com.)
Wake Up Call
Macka B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is your wake up call
Time to wake up your mind
Open your eyes and realize
Wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
Wake up
It's the wake up time
Time to wake up your mind
Wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
It's the wake up call
Wake up one and all
You have always made the difference
So go out and take your place
Just wake up and realize
Wake up, get up, get up
Realize that most of the things you believe in
Are out there for you somewhere
Just wake up and realize
Wake up, get up, get up
Realize that you’re just the song on the whistling wind
And learning as you grow
Get up
There are so many things you’ll never know
So when you’re all alone and you’re hurting
There is someone else somewhere
Jah knows
Sharing a lonely feelings of this bag, just a
Say we call me a bag bag
Time to use a egg, egg
And get off the bed, bed
Mind the while you’re dressed, dressed
Time to rise, open your eyes wide
Hear my cry comin’ into your eyes wide
Time to wake, you’ve had your break, mate
It’s after eight, get into shape, weigh
Co-ordinate and time to get your mind straight
In yourself and in the father, you’ll feel faith
Your just a son whose been driving
Outside of town and spins
Rise and shine
I need you to go on out and find your place
So when you realize you will feel it
Deep down inside your soul, Jah know
Success will come to you but before you go
Instead of looking out, you should be looking within
Wake up your mind and soul and free yourself from sin
Acknowledge the Father that created the king
And every morning when you wake say your prayer to him
You’re exercising your butt, be exercising your limb
Mi say you down in the gym, keeping yourself in trim
Just remember that your mind is the greatest thing
It’s like you’re servicing your car without doing anything
Well gentleman, don’t you believe there is something
Or someone who controls
Just wake up and realize
Wake up, get up, get up
So then place your faith in yourself and the most high
Rastafari
So that you can reach your goal
Just wake up and realize
Wake up, get up, get up
And mi tell them wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
It's the wake up time
Time to wake up your mind
Wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
It's the wake up call
Said wake up one and all
Said that if you wake up
Everything is not what it seems
Mi said you wake up
Some people live in a dream
And mi said wake up
All of this is part of a scheme
Life shouldn’t revolve
Around a TV screen
And mi said
Wake up off your sleep
And mi said wake up
Open your mind and peep
And mi said wake up
Realize the power you off
Set up your phone line with Almighty God
And mi said wake up
Then start using your brain
And mi said wake up
Fling away the damn cocaine
And mi said wake up
‘Cause it’s time for a change
And mi said wake up
Yes, me a go and tell you again
And mi said wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Wake up
It's the wake up call
Said wake up one and all
The song "Wake Up Call" by Macka B is a call to action, urging listeners to wake up and realize their potential, to pay attention to the world around them, and to take control of their lives. The lyrics encourage listeners to be aware of their beliefs and the impact they have on the world, and to have faith in themselves and a higher power. The repeated refrain of "wake up" emphasizes the urgency of the message, urging listeners to take action rather than remaining passive.
The lyrics also address the need for self-improvement, both physically and mentally. The song encourages listeners to exercise their bodies and minds, to acknowledge the power of their thoughts and beliefs, and to strive for success. The reference to cocaine suggests the need to reject harmful behaviors and substances in favor of healthier, more productive choices. In addition, the song emphasizes the need to connect with others and to recognize the shared experiences of loneliness and struggle that unite us all.
Overall, "Wake Up Call" is a powerful and inspiring message that encourages listeners to take control of their lives, to embrace their potential, and to make positive changes in the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome
Macka B is welcoming the listener to his song
This is your wake up call
The song is a wake-up call for the listener to realize their potential and make positive changes
Time to wake up your mind
The listener needs to expand their thinking and consciousness
Open your eyes and realize
The listener needs to acknowledge the current state of the world and take action
Wake up
An urging call to action
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Emphasizing that action is necessary and repetition of the phrase adds to its importance
It's the wake-up time
This is a crucial moment for the listener to make a change
Wake up one and all
The message applies to everyone, not just a select few
You have always made a difference
The listener has the power to make positive changes and impact the world
So go out and take your place
The listener needs to make their mark in the world
Realize that most of the things you believe in
The listener needs to reflect on their beliefs and values
Are out there for you somewhere
Opportunities and resources are available for the listener to realize their goals
Realize that you're just the song on the whistling wind
The listener needs to humbly acknowledge their place in the world and be open to learn and grow
And learning as you grow
The listener should embrace personal growth and development
There are so many things you'll never know
The listener should be open-minded and aware of the vast array of knowledge and experiences they have yet to encounter
So when you're all alone and you're hurting
The listener may feel isolated or upset, but they are not alone
There is someone else somewhere
There are others who can empathize with the listener's struggles
Sharing a lonely feelings of this bag, just a
Macka B acknowledges the burden of loneliness and encourages listeners to seek support from others
Say we call me a bag bag
The persona is emphasizing the metaphorical weight of negative emotions and calling upon the listener to shake them off
Time to use a egg, egg
Being proactive and taking action can help alleviate negative feelings
And get off the bed, bed
Macka B is urging listeners to get moving and active to improve their mood and mindset
Mind the while you're dressed, dressed
Listeners should take care of themselves and their appearance
Time to rise, open your eyes wide
A call to waking up, becoming more alert and aware
Hear my cry comin' into your eyes wide
The message of the song is reaching the listener and inspiring them to action
Time to wake, you've had your break, mate
It's time to get back to work and pursuing one's goals
It's after eight, get into shape, weigh
Urging listeners to use their time wisely and pursue their goals
Co-ordinate and time to get your mind straight
Macka B emphasizes the importance of mental clarity and organization
In yourself and in the father, you'll feel faith
The listener should cultivate a sense of faith and trust in themselves and a higher power
Your just a son whose been driving
The persona reminds the listener they are just one person on their life's journey
Outside of town and spins
The listener is finding their way in life, outside their comfort zone
Rise and shine
A positive message to wake up and start the day with enthusiasm
I need you to go on out and find your place
Listeners have a purpose in life and should pursue it
So when you realize you will feel it
The listener will experience a sense of self-discovery and purpose
Deep down inside your soul, Jah know
A reference to God and the potential for spiritual growth
Success will come to you but before you go
The listener has the potential for success, but must put in hard work and effort
Instead of looking out, you should be looking within
Macka B urges the listener to focus on their own inner journey and self-discovery rather than the external world
Wake up your mind and soul and free yourself from sin
Macka B is urging the listener to pursue a path that aligns with their values and beliefs
Acknowledge the Father that created the king
A reference to God and the listener's potential as a powerful, influential person in their own right
And every morning when you wake say your prayer to him
Macka B is emphasizing the importance of gratitude and prayer
You're exercising your butt, be exercising your limb
Macka B is encouraging listeners to take care of their mental and physical health
Mi say you down in the gym, keeping yourself in trim
Macka B is emphasizing the importance of self-care and making healthy choices
Just remember that your mind is the greatest thing
Macka B reminds the listener that their thoughts and beliefs are powerful and can shape their entire life
It's like you're servicing your car without doing anything
Macka B is emphasizing the importance of mental health and self-care as a priority
Well gentleman, don't you believe there is something
Macka B is questioning whether the listener believes in a higher power or purpose
Or someone who controls
A reference to God or some other higher power
So then place your faith in yourself and the most high
Macka B is encouraging listeners to trust in themselves and a higher power
Rastafari
A reference to the Rastafarian movement and its beliefs
So that you can reach your goal
Encouraging listeners to work towards their goals and not give up on them
Everything is not what it seems
The listener should be critical of the world around them and not take things at face value
Some people live in a dream
Some people are not awake or aware of their surroundings
All of this is part of a scheme
There may be powerful forces at play that control events in people's lives
Life shouldn’t revolve
Macka B is encouraging listeners to break free from negative patterns and habits
Around a TV screen
Macka B is urging listeners to be discerning about what they watch and consume
And mi said
An emphasis or repetition of the message
Open your mind and peep
Macka B is urging listeners to challenge themselves intellectually and be aware of what is happening around them
Realize the power you off
Listeners should understand their own unique abilities and strengths
Set up your phone line with Almighty God
Macka B is urging listeners to establish a connection with a higher power
Then start using your brain
Macka B is emphasizing the importance of being thoughtful and introspective
Fling away the damn cocaine
Macka B is condemning drug use and its negative effects on people's lives
'Cause it’s time for a change
Macka B is emphasizing the importance of making positive changes in one's life
Get up, get up, get up, get up
Encouraging listeners to take action and make changes in their lives
Said wake up one and all
The message of the song applies to everyone
Contributed by Keira O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.