Roots reggae band formed 1975 in Southall, London, as a backing group to th… Read Full Bio ↴Roots reggae band formed 1975 in Southall, London, as a backing group to the singer Nicky Thomas. By 1978 Misty In Roots had their own orthodox roots sound with rastafarian lyrics, and started touring as a solo group. They were also a major force in the Rock Against Racism movement. Their first album Live at the Counter Eurovision 79 was recorded live in Belgium. Known songs are 'Ghetto Of The City', 'Mankind', 'Judas Iskariot', 'Follow Fashion', 'Poor And Needy'. 'Dance Hall Babylon', 'Own Them Control Them'. 'Festa'.
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As only a live band it was called Misty. First albums were two live albums 1979 created by help from toilers in England and Sweden: Live at the Counter Eurovision and Misty Over Sweden. Both records are full of Rastafarian and anti-fascist songs. They were favoured by BBC Radio DJ John Peel, helping to bring roots reggae bands to a more mixed West European audience. With a career spanning 5 decades, they are one of the UK’s finest reggae groups. The band was one of the most powerful live reggae acts to emerge from 1970s London, and they were a major force in the Rock Against Racism movement.
This British based roots reggae band Misty first came together in 1974, as backing band for well known Jamaican reggae bands and artists performing in London. One was the late, great Nicky Thomas - one of Jamaica's all time greats who had achieved national chart success with songs such as "Love Of The Common People". Nicky Thomas was a great inspirer for Misty In Roots.
By 1978 Misty In Roots began to develop their own orthodox roots reggae sound. Their powerful lyrics inspired by the economic decline, a growing awareness of their African culture, and a spiritual awakening inspired tracks as "Ghetto Of The City", "Sodom & Gomorrah" and "Mankind", all off which can be found on the band's first album "Live At The Counter Eurovision" and the 'twin album' "Misty Over Sweden", recorded on their tour in Sweden 1979.
During the period 1977-78 the political situation in the U.K. was a breaking point. Black consciousness was at its peak and racism roamed the streets of London. Unemployment was affecting both black and white youths and through this depression a new musical alliance was born, young white youths totally fed up with the status quo turned to playing punk music whilst at the same time identifying strongly with the British reggae acts as Misty In Roots, Steel Pulse and Aswad. With the coming of the ‘Rock against Racism’ movement, the musical fight-back had begun, and for the first time black and white musicians were playing together on the same platform bringing about a totally new concept in musical awareness.
Misty In Roots, one of the most powerful live reggae acts to have come out of London, and noted for their powerful roots reggae sound, and uncompromising lyrical vibrations, became the major force in Rock Against Racism, playing more concerts than any other band in the movement. This opened up a whole new audience for the band who quickly developed a very strong cross over audience, playing with acts such as Tom Robinson, The Ruts and Elvis Costello.
Despite Misty In Roots' huge success as a live act the band did not release their first album until 1979. The album Live At The Counter Eurovision, which was recorded live in Belgium during the band's 1978 tour, is today still proclaimed by many critics as the best live reggae album of all time. Misty In Roots followed Live At The Counter Eurovision with a string of limited edition singles such as "Oh Wicked Man", "Rich Man", "Salvation", "How Long Jah" and "See Them Ah Come".
The band’s second album Wise And Foolish was released in 1982 and took on a more mellow, jazzy and soulful tone.
By 1982 Misty In Roots was a force to be reckoned with but because of their determination to remain independent the band took a major step into Africa spending nine months in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The period spent in Africa had a major impact on the development of Misty In Roots' following two albums Earth and Musi O Tunya, both of which were directly inspired by the band’s experiences in Africa.
Earth, released in 1983, was a moving musical documentation of the devastation caused to mother Earth by mankind because of greed, cruelty and ignorance. The album consists of classic tracks as "Follow Fashion", "Earth", "Poor And Needy", "Own Them Control Them" and "Servant To Jah".
Musi O Tunya, released in 1985, was a reflection of the band’s love for Africa. Musi O Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) is a beautiful place where Zimbabwe and Zambia meet, and the great Zambezi river gives up all its might to form one of the most beautiful sights of Southern Africa. The Musi O Tunya falls are known in English as Victoria Falls.
During 1987, Misty In Roots took their first trip to West Africa, the spiritual home of their ancestors, it was indeed a pleasant experience to set foot in the region after four hundred years in exile.
1989 saw the beginning of a friendship between Misty In Roots and Kaz Records, which resulted in the release of the album Forward which saw Misty In Roots reach the heights once again.
At Roots Controller 2002 the band showed that roots reggae is a very alive, and they inspired new, young artists all over the world to change style from dancehall and digital ragga to roots.
ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY
* Live at the Counter Eurovision 79 (1979) [recorded live in Belgium]
* Misty Over Sweden (1979) [Swedish release - recorded live in Sweden]
* Wise and Foolish (1981)
* Earth (1983)
* Musi-O-Tunya (1985)
* Forward (1989)
* Chronicles - The Best of (1994)
* The John Peel Sessions (1995)
* Jah Sees Jah Knows (1997) [2CD version includes bonus CD of Live at the Counter Eurovision '79]
* Roots Controller (2002) [6 new tracks plus previously-released material]
- - -
As only a live band it was called Misty. First albums were two live albums 1979 created by help from toilers in England and Sweden: Live at the Counter Eurovision and Misty Over Sweden. Both records are full of Rastafarian and anti-fascist songs. They were favoured by BBC Radio DJ John Peel, helping to bring roots reggae bands to a more mixed West European audience. With a career spanning 5 decades, they are one of the UK’s finest reggae groups. The band was one of the most powerful live reggae acts to emerge from 1970s London, and they were a major force in the Rock Against Racism movement.
This British based roots reggae band Misty first came together in 1974, as backing band for well known Jamaican reggae bands and artists performing in London. One was the late, great Nicky Thomas - one of Jamaica's all time greats who had achieved national chart success with songs such as "Love Of The Common People". Nicky Thomas was a great inspirer for Misty In Roots.
By 1978 Misty In Roots began to develop their own orthodox roots reggae sound. Their powerful lyrics inspired by the economic decline, a growing awareness of their African culture, and a spiritual awakening inspired tracks as "Ghetto Of The City", "Sodom & Gomorrah" and "Mankind", all off which can be found on the band's first album "Live At The Counter Eurovision" and the 'twin album' "Misty Over Sweden", recorded on their tour in Sweden 1979.
During the period 1977-78 the political situation in the U.K. was a breaking point. Black consciousness was at its peak and racism roamed the streets of London. Unemployment was affecting both black and white youths and through this depression a new musical alliance was born, young white youths totally fed up with the status quo turned to playing punk music whilst at the same time identifying strongly with the British reggae acts as Misty In Roots, Steel Pulse and Aswad. With the coming of the ‘Rock against Racism’ movement, the musical fight-back had begun, and for the first time black and white musicians were playing together on the same platform bringing about a totally new concept in musical awareness.
Misty In Roots, one of the most powerful live reggae acts to have come out of London, and noted for their powerful roots reggae sound, and uncompromising lyrical vibrations, became the major force in Rock Against Racism, playing more concerts than any other band in the movement. This opened up a whole new audience for the band who quickly developed a very strong cross over audience, playing with acts such as Tom Robinson, The Ruts and Elvis Costello.
Despite Misty In Roots' huge success as a live act the band did not release their first album until 1979. The album Live At The Counter Eurovision, which was recorded live in Belgium during the band's 1978 tour, is today still proclaimed by many critics as the best live reggae album of all time. Misty In Roots followed Live At The Counter Eurovision with a string of limited edition singles such as "Oh Wicked Man", "Rich Man", "Salvation", "How Long Jah" and "See Them Ah Come".
The band’s second album Wise And Foolish was released in 1982 and took on a more mellow, jazzy and soulful tone.
By 1982 Misty In Roots was a force to be reckoned with but because of their determination to remain independent the band took a major step into Africa spending nine months in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The period spent in Africa had a major impact on the development of Misty In Roots' following two albums Earth and Musi O Tunya, both of which were directly inspired by the band’s experiences in Africa.
Earth, released in 1983, was a moving musical documentation of the devastation caused to mother Earth by mankind because of greed, cruelty and ignorance. The album consists of classic tracks as "Follow Fashion", "Earth", "Poor And Needy", "Own Them Control Them" and "Servant To Jah".
Musi O Tunya, released in 1985, was a reflection of the band’s love for Africa. Musi O Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) is a beautiful place where Zimbabwe and Zambia meet, and the great Zambezi river gives up all its might to form one of the most beautiful sights of Southern Africa. The Musi O Tunya falls are known in English as Victoria Falls.
During 1987, Misty In Roots took their first trip to West Africa, the spiritual home of their ancestors, it was indeed a pleasant experience to set foot in the region after four hundred years in exile.
1989 saw the beginning of a friendship between Misty In Roots and Kaz Records, which resulted in the release of the album Forward which saw Misty In Roots reach the heights once again.
At Roots Controller 2002 the band showed that roots reggae is a very alive, and they inspired new, young artists all over the world to change style from dancehall and digital ragga to roots.
ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY
* Live at the Counter Eurovision 79 (1979) [recorded live in Belgium]
* Misty Over Sweden (1979) [Swedish release - recorded live in Sweden]
* Wise and Foolish (1981)
* Earth (1983)
* Musi-O-Tunya (1985)
* Forward (1989)
* Chronicles - The Best of (1994)
* The John Peel Sessions (1995)
* Jah Sees Jah Knows (1997) [2CD version includes bonus CD of Live at the Counter Eurovision '79]
* Roots Controller (2002) [6 new tracks plus previously-released material]
Bail Out
Misty In Roots Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Bail Out' by these artists:
Big T Evans I need a bail out (Yuh) I can't go without (Oh…
D.J. Rogers B.F.B B.F.B Squad Gorgeous, she real gorgeous I wanna spoil…
D.R.I. I'm building a spaceship in my backyard Using pieces of our…
D.R.I. - Live at CBGB's 1984 B.F.B B.F.B Squad Gorgeous, she real gorgeous I wanna spoil…
Dri I'm building a spaceship in my backyard Using pieces of our…
Lazarus Hook: Everybody want to see a G fall when he…
LOYALS Well you can calm down with your mouth now When I…
Mugshot So now I'm sinking, I'm feelin' like I did the day…
RondoNumbaNine Everyday I wake up gotta get back to the gwap Just…
Young Scooter feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again You know we don't rate nothin' but real street niggas Got…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Misty In Roots:
Africa (intro) (ins, horns) [yo-yo-yo yoe-hoo] [A little song '…
Almighty Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Glorify Jah…
Almighty (the Way) Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth Glorify Jah…
Cover Up Feel it! No! From the goodness of your mind And it's a …
Dance Hall Babylon The heathens say Don't praise Jah in their dens All they…
Dreadful Dread Linda, como um anjo que caiu do céu De pele macia…
Ghetto of the City All you want you can get Get it now you no…
How Long Jah Tribulation's upon the land - can you feel it, my…
Jah See Jah Know Jah see, Jah know Who will stay and who must go Jah…
Judas Iscariote Do you remember Judas Iscariot Do you remember Judas Iscari…
Judas Iskariot Do you remember Judas Iskariot Do you remember Judas Iskari…
Man Kind Judgement days have come And righteous man shall stand Unw…
Mankind udgement days have come And righteous man shall stand Unwo…
Oh Wicked Man Eas', wes', north, south, Murmurs and rumours of war Fret…
On The Road Oh yeah Leaving town Out again When days are done Black tim…
Own Them Control Them System own them Babylon control them System own them Baby…
Poor & Needy Jah, Jah Jah, Jah Jah Deliver the poor and needy, out of …
Poor and Needy Jah, Jah Jah, Jah Jah Deliver the poor and needy, out of the…
Salvation Prepare to meet thy creator Lesson of the Father is a…
See Them Ah Come See them ah come, see them ah come, but me…
Sodom & Gomorra No more life in a Babylon No more life in a…
Sodom and Gomorrah [Strictly food for thoughts Total destruction] No more life…
True Rasta Judgement Day ya Judgement Day ya Jah no send no sanfi(?)…
True Rasta Man Judgement Day ya Judgement Day ya Jah no send no sanfi…
West Livity Get on board... Some don't want to know their history Shame…
Wondering Wanderer Wandering... Fooling around in town Time to settle down Stra…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@robrix9330
1981 John Peel was playing this constantly. I'd first heard Misty songs on the Live At The Counter Eurovision LP. That summer in'81 I saw them live at Sophia Gardens Cardiff and they were as good as that recording. Reggae gods of my youth.
@andypryce1984
I have this 12". Shame it's not on Amazon Music, it's one of Misty's best songs. I miss John Peel, R. I. P.
@michaelneidermayer4604
FAVORITE SONG OF ALL ! HORNS AS STRONG AS FIGHTING LIONS ! 1981 !
@stanleyvambe1653
Love this stuff
@michaelhuggins9662
Nice tune first heard this on a Shaka cassette...it's the horns that does it for me
@TheSocialSmilingMonkey
Magnificent Mighty Misty in Roots .
Blahhhh ⚡💥🔥🌊🌊🌪🌪🌪
@sportermills
raw version!
@TrueKing
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@alexiawartzolff3903
Bail out! Babylon sinkin'
@markmummery8765
John Peel.Say no more.How did have such a knowledge for up and coming bands?