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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]
Judas Iscariote
Misty In Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
Thirty pieces of silver he sold Jesus
Thirty pieces of silver he betrayed Jesus, Jesus Christ
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
I don't care what they tell us
I don't want to know
They even try to sell I and I
Couldn't live with his conscience
He had to pay the consequences
And it was
Thirty pieces of silver he sold Jesus
Thirty pieces of silver he betrayed Jesus, Jesus Christ
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
Misty In Roots's song "Judas Iscariote" is a powerful commentary on the infamous biblical figure of Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss for thirty pieces of silver. The song asks the listener if they remember Judas Iscariot, as if serving as a cautionary tale to not succumb to greed and betray those we love.
The lyrics reflect on the emotional and psychological turmoil that Judas must have experienced as a result of his betrayal. The line "I say that he went insane for love" suggests that Judas's love for money drove him to a state of madness or hysteria. Despite how much money he received for his betrayal, he ultimately could not live with the guilt and paid the consequences for his actions.
The song also touches on issues of societal manipulation and the danger of being 'sold out' by others for personal or financial gain. The line "They even try to sell I and I" implies that the singer has been targeted for exploitation, and by remembering Judas Iscariot, the listener is urged to be vigilant against betrayal.
Overall, Misty In Roots's "Judas Iscariote" serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of greed, manipulation, and betrayal, and the eternal ramifications of such actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
Do you recall the one who betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot?
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
Do you recall the one who betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot?
Thirty pieces of silver he sold Jesus
He sold out Jesus, gave him up for thirty pieces of silver.
Thirty pieces of silver he betrayed Jesus, Jesus Christ
He betrayed Jesus, Jesus Christ for just thirty pieces of silver.
I say that he went insane for love
Some say he lost his mind because of his love or loyalty to Jesus.
I don't care what they tell us
I'm not interested in rumors or hearsay, I just want the truth.
I don't want to know
I don't want to hear any more about it.
They even try to sell I and I
Some people will betray you for money, even try to sell you out like they did to Jesus.
Couldn't live with his conscience
He was tormented by his conscience, and couldn't bear the guilt of betraying Jesus.
He had to pay the consequences
He suffered the punishment for his betrayal of Jesus.
And it was
All of this happened because of
Thirty pieces of silver he sold Jesus
He sold out Jesus, gave him up for thirty pieces of silver.
Thirty pieces of silver he betrayed Jesus, Jesus Christ
He betrayed Jesus, Jesus Christ for just thirty pieces of silver.
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
Do you recall the one who betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot?
Do you remember Judas Iscariot
Do you recall the one who betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot?
Contributed by Lauren H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@reglinda
DO YOU REMEMBER....I DO......1980...17 YEARS OLD AND STONED OUT OF MY MIND..AND A FRIEND PUT THIS ALBUM ON ..BIG STEREO AND EVEN BIGGER SPEAKERS...TO THIS DAY IT IS THE MOST EMOTION I HAVE EVER HEARD AND FELT WITH MUSIC...THE BEST LIVE MUSIC EVER RECORDED ..LOVE U MISTY...ROOTS CONTROLLER!!!
@ericronge2951
I was present ina Brussels in 1979, roots rockin'
@sebashess4768
DOES NIJMEGEN REMEMBERS BERRIE EBBEN???
@owenchihumelahsnr9268
Wow
@shekukamara3134
As a Young youth coming out from the slumbers of realitie I first heard this song thrilled my the message.
@nonoise14000
best live reggae album of all time ..for me
@alexandranooi322
still love it 30 years now......einer meiner Lienlingssongs!!!!
@phrayzar
Spirit music and endless sound. The album is a covenant in my collection. PRESSURE !!!
@lefrigolo7363
Right !!
@satij
Best roots reggae band...... Misty in roots