Great Britain has produced several great roots bands -- Steel Pulse, Aswad, Misty In Roots, and Black Slate among them but Matumbi is one of the earliest and most influential. They formed in 1971 in London at a time when roots music in Jamaica itself was just entering its prime.
Formed in south London, with a line-up of Tex Dixon (vocals), Euton Jones (drums), Dennis Bovell (guitar), Errol Pottinger (guitar), Eaton "Jah" Blake (bass guitar) Bevin Fagan (vocals) (died 2008), and Nicholas Bailey (vocals, later better known as Nick Straker), initially they acted as a backing band to touring Jamaican musicians. In 1973, they opened for The Wailers at the Ethiopian famine relief concert in Edmonton.
Success brought problems for the band, with their record label unhappy about some band members' other musical activities, and Bailey and Dixon left, to be replaced by Webster Johnson (keyboards). Pottinger and Jones also left the band, with Glaister Fagan and Lloyd "Jah Bunny" Donaldson joining. The new line-up signed a deal with Harvest Records, and toured with Ian Dury & the Blockheads. Matumbi recorded two sessions for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show in 1978. In the same year, they recorded the theme song for the BBC television series, Empire Road.
The group's debut album, Seven Seals, was issued in 1978, but their second album, Point of View, was a greater success, with the title track giving the band a top 40 hit in 1979. Further albums followed between 1980 and 1982, but these did not match their earlier success. Their last album, Testify, was recorded in Jamaica co-produced by Bevin Fagan and drummer Euton Jones.
The band split up, with members moving on to various other projects; Dennis Bovell released solo material and became renowned as a producer, Donaldson joined The Cimarons, and Fagan and Blake recorded as The Squad.
Point Of View
Matumbi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That′s when you really found out I love you true
That love I got inside so warm and kind cool gentle touch make me helps me so much
You need to squeeze a little lovin' out of you
I said I need to squeeze a little more lovin′ out of you
We've been together
For such a long time
You know you are mine
Now love is a secret
Not be told and you never find out
Utill the day you grow old
But I colud squeeze a little lovin' out of you
I said I need to squeeze a little more lovin′ out of you
I need you
Now love is a secret
Not be told and you never find out
Utill the day you grow old
But I colud squeeze a little lovin′ out of you
I said I need to squeeze a little more lovin' out of you
You know I love you and you love me too
But do you really need me
The way that I need you
Oh baby
Now I ain′t gonna reason
Question why
I just follow my heart
Untill the day that I die
You need to squeeze a little lovin' out of you
I said I need to squeeze a little more lovin′ out of you
Oh baby
I said A B C D
Give it to me
1 2 3 4
I said I want some more
In Matumbi's song "Point of View," the lyrics express a deep and passionate love that the singer feels for someone else. They invite the listener to see things from their perspective, emphasizing that only by doing so will they truly understand the depth of their love. The singer describes their love as warm, kind, cool, and gentle, emphasizing how it supports and uplifts them. They long for more love from their partner, yearning to squeeze out further affection and connection.
The song also highlights the longevity of their relationship, as they've been together for a long time. It emphasizes the happiness and contentment they feel in their commitment, stating that being together makes them feel good and secure in the knowledge that they belong to each other.
The lyrics suggest that love is something sacred and private, meant to be treasured and kept secret. The singer reiterates their need for more love from their partner, expressing that their love is reciprocated but questioning whether their partner truly needs them in the same way. Despite any uncertainties or doubts, the singer remains loyal and committed, following their heart until the end.
Overall, "Point of View" portrays a deep, passionate, and enduring love, and it explores the desire for reciprocity and reassurance within a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a look at these from my point of view
Consider these things from the perspective I have
That's when you really found out I love you true
That's when you truly realized my genuine love for you
That love I got inside so warm and kind cool gentle touch make me helps me so much
The love I feel inside is warm, kind, and comforting, it brings me joy and supports me greatly
You need to squeeze a little lovin' out of you
You should express and give a bit more love
I said I need to squeeze a little more lovin' out of you
I'm emphasizing that I require a bit more love from you
We've been together
We have been in a relationship
For such a long time
For an extended duration
Geez makes me feel so good
Wow, it brings me immense happiness
You know you are mine
You are aware that you belong to me
Now love is a secret
Love is something intimate
Not be told and you never find out
It should not be revealed openly, and you may never truly understand it
Until the day you grow old
Until the day you become old
But I could squeeze a little lovin' out of you
However, I am capable of extracting a small amount of love from you
I said I need to squeeze a little more lovin' out of you
I reiterated that I need to extract a bit more love from you
I need you
I require your presence and affection
You know I love you and you love me too
You are aware that I love you, and you also love me
But do you really need me
However, do you truly have a strong necessity for me
The way that I need you
In the same manner that I need you
Oh baby
Oh darling
Now I ain't gonna reason
Now, I won't try to rationalize
Question why
Question the reasons
I just follow my heart
I simply listen to my heart's desires
Until the day that I die
Until the day of my death
You need to squeeze a little lovin' out of you
You should express and give a bit more love
I said I need to squeeze a little more lovin' out of you
I emphasized that I require a bit more love from you
Oh baby
Oh darling
I said A B C D
I stated the letters A B C D
Give it to me
Provide it to me
1 2 3 4
The numbers 1 2 3 4
I said I want some more
I expressed my desire for additional things
Writer(s): Valerie Davis, Bevin Fagan
Contributed by Adeline S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@markchampagnie9401
How times have changed... reggae was everything back in the day...sound system culture etc etc...bless all those involved..from harlesden, Brixton,new cross, Paddington,Acton,harrow,Wembley, Ealing, Tottenham, Shepard's bush, Ladbroke grove, Hammersmith, hackney,Dalston, Peckham...and so much more.. Birmingham, Manchester,Leeds,Bristol,bu town Cardiff, Nottingham...wish u the best,your children and grand children.. kapppish 🇯🇲❤️🇬🇧
@YTtunes222
<3
@BlackRootsUNLIMITED
Incredible band. Such an honor and a great privilege to have worked with them later on in their lives.
@pauline4380
Lead singer and his brother, my cousins.... R I P Bevin
@jimmccaul1
I loved Empire Road , the song
@prone69
My old friend Webster on keys , used to work with him years ago in Barnet . So sad to hear of his passing. Lovely humble guy
@authenticselector3183
Tune was ahead of its time....
@alanoneill3065
well actually it refers back to the 50's....a bit of swing...bit of doowoop
@jemalraghip3820
I bought this as soon as I herd it.
@tonyivey5399
Great tune ,they should re-release it ,it just flows ,great singer