The following year he replaced Don Carlos as the lead singer of a three-piece vocal group called Black Uhuru. Their first full-length recording "Love Crisis", produced by Prince Jammy in 1977, was later remixed and re-released as "Black Sounds of Freedom". Michael Rose had a profound effect on the sound of the group. With his distinctive voice and his powerful, self-penned reality themes, Black Uhuru were to eventually become the Reggae supergroup of the 80's after joining forces with Sly & Robbie and releasing hit-singles like "Shine Eye Gal", "General Penitentiary" or "Plastic Smile" on the Taxi Label. Signed to Island Records in 1980, they recorded highly acclaimed albums like "Sinsemillia", "Red", "Chill Out" and the grammy-winning "Anthem" in 1984.
In 1985 Michael Rose left Black Uhuru to pursue a solo career. After recording singles like "Bogus Badge" and "Demonstration" on his own Grammy Rose label he took a break from the music business, preferring instead to farm coffee on land he owned in Jamaica. It wasn't until he was signed to the RCA label in 1989 that he was heard from again. His pop-oriented debut solo album "Proud" was released the following year in Europe and Japan. The early 90's saw the release of two albums in Japan: "Bonanza" and "King Of General". Most of the tracks from these low-fi recordings were later remixed or re-recorded and reissued worldwide on the Heartbeat label. In 1993 Michael Rose also reunited in the studio with Sly & Robbie, resulting in a string of hit singles including "Monkeys Business", "One A We, Two A We" and "Bad Boys". These recordings also hit the streets in remixed form on the album "X-Uhuru" in 1999 for the french Tabou1 label.
The 1995 released, simply "Michael Rose" titled, album was his first for the american independent Heartbeat label. Produced by Niney the Observer, it contained the smash-hit "Short Temper". Another single, the UK produced "Last Chance" on the Ruff Cutt label, ruled the british charts for several weeks. 1995 saw the release of an album recorded by Bunny Gemini ("Voice of the ghetto" aka "Rising Star") followed by the Heartbeat album "Be Yourself", which contained remixed versions of some tracks from the japan-only release "Bonanza" and previously unreleased material. Heartbeat Records also did a dub-companion to "Be Yourself" dubbed "Big Sound Frontline".
Another album containing unreleased, previously by Jah Screw recorded material saw the light of day in 1996: "Nuh carbon" was licensed to Greensleeves/RAS Records. Teaming up once again with Mafia and Fluxy, who played also on the highly acclaimed "Michael Rose" album, he recorded the albums "Dance Wicked" and its dub companion "Dub Wicked" for Heartbeat. An interesting album that contained vocal as well as dub tracks called "Selassie I Showcase" surfaced 1997 on the european Bakchich label; tunes like the re-recorded "I Love King Selassie" on a sampled "Natural Mystic" rhythm held the grassroots market spellbound. An energetic live album, "Party in Session", was recorded for Heartbeat during his tours across America in 1996 and 1997.
1999 saw the release of the earlier mentioned "X-Uhuru" album on the Tabou1 label as well as "Bonanza" for the Heartbeat label (not to be confused with the japan-only release of the same title). The latter consists once again of previously recorded, remixed or re-recorded tracks as well as new tunes. June 2000 brought another live album on the Tabou1 label, this time recorded back in 1984 with Black Uhuru. After being postponed several times, the album "Never Give It Up" finally hit the stores in April 2001. This Hearbeat Records release consists of self-produced material recorded in Miami/Florida.
Although busy with touring (also with Sly & Robbie) and studio work, Michael Rose hasn't released a full-length album for quite some time. Early 2004 news hit the streets that Duckie Simspon and Michael Rose reunite as "Black Uhuru feat. Michael Rose". Since then, they released their single "Dollars" and performed in various countries. Heartbeat Records meanwhile puts out a "Best of"-album entiteld "Happiness - The Best of Michael Rose" and, in the summer of 2006, Young T/Otis Riddim Records released Jump Nya Benge, on their show-case uPLiFTMeNT album.
New York
Michael Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it
New York, New York
These vagabond shoes are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it
New York, New York
I wanna wake up in a city that doesn't sleep And find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it in old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York
New York, New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
And find I'm a number one, top of the list
These little town blues are melting away
I'll make a brand new start of it in old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York, New York
Michael Rose's song "New York" is a classic tribute to the city that never sleeps. The language used in this song is full of emotion and intent, as the singer describes his longing to leave where he is and travel to the bustling and exciting city of New York. The very first line "Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today" signifies a strong sense of urgency and determination to reach the city soon. He wants to be a part of New York, where the energy is electrifying and he can feel alive. He gets carried away by his emotions as he sings about wanting to wear his "vagabond shoes" and journey right through the heart of the city. He has a sense of liberation that's reflected in his lyrics as he dreams of waking up in a city that never sleeps, where he can indulge in his dreams and aspirations.
The second stanza is equally powerful as the first, with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The lyrics describe the singer's aspirations to become the "king of the hill, top of the heap". He believes that he can leave his troubles behind and start life anew in the city of New York. He believes that this city has the power to transform lives, and that success in New York is like success anywhere else in the world. The unique culture and vibe of the city has a certain magnetism, and the singer is willing to take the leap to experience it firsthand. The song's final lines, "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, It's up to you, New York, New York" sum up the resilience, optimism, and grit required to make a brand new start in the city of New York.
Line by Line Meaning
Start spreading the news
I am announcing my departure from my current place of living
I'm leaving today
I am leaving now or within a short period of time
I want to be a part of it
I aspire to become a member of the New York community and culture
New York, New York
New York City; a place with high prominence and significance
These vagabond shoes are longing to stray
I am filled with wanderlust and desire to travel
Right through the very heart of it
I want to explore the core of the city and experience all that it has to offer
I wanna wake up in a city that doesn't sleep
I yearn to reside in a bustling city that is always lively and awake
And find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap
I strive to become successful and reach the peak of my profession in this city
These little town blues are melting away
My past feelings of sorrow and discomfort in a smaller town are diminishing
I'll make a brand new start of it in old New York
I aim to establish a fresh beginning in this city, despite its age and history
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
New York City is known as a challenging place to succeed, so if I can accomplish my goals here, I can accomplish them anywhere
It's up to you, New York, New York
My success is impacted by the opportunities and support provided by the city
I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps
I desire to live in a city that is constantly active and alive with energy
And find I'm a number one, top of the list
I hope to excel in my field and gain high recognition and prestige
New York, New York
Repeating the name of the city, emphasizing its importance and grandeur
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL JOHN MONTGOMERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind