Early music and with the Wailers
Tosh was born in Westmoreland, the westernmost parish of Jamaica. He was abandoned by his parents and "shuffled among relatives". When McIntosh was fifteen, his aunt died and he moved to Trenchtown in Kingston, Jamaica. He first learned guitar after watching a man in the country play a song that captivated him. He watched the man play the same song for half a day, memorizing everything his fingers were doing. He then picked up the guitar and played the song back to the man. The man then asked McIntosh who had taught him to play; McIntosh told him that he had. During the early 1960s, as an aspiring musician, Tosh went to vocal teacher Joe Higgs, who gave free music lessons to young people. Through his contact with Higgs, Tosh met Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley) and Neville O'Reilly Livingston (Bunny Wailer). He then changed his name to Peter Tosh and the trio started singing together in 1962. Higgs taught the trio to harmonise and while developing their music, they would often play on the street corners of Trenchtown.
In 1964 Tosh helped organise the band the Wailing Wailers, with Junior Braithwaite, a falsetto singer, and backup singers Beverley Kelso and Cherry Smith. Initially, Tosh was the only one in the group who could play musical instruments. According to Bunny Wailer, Tosh was critical to the band because he was a self-taught guitarist and keyboardist, and thus became an inspiration for the other band members to learn to play. The Wailing Wailers had a major ska hit with their first single, "Simmer Down", and recorded several more successful singles before Braithwaite, Kelso and Smith left the band in late 1965. Marley spent much of 1966 in Delaware in the United States with his mother, Cedella (née Malcolm) Marley-Booker, and for a brief time was working at a nearby Chrysler factory. He returned to Jamaica in early 1967 with a renewed interest in music and a new spirituality. Tosh and Bunny were already Rastafarians when Marley returned from the US, and the three became very involved with the Rastafari faith. Soon afterwards, they renamed the musical group the Wailers. Tosh would explain later that they chose the name Wailers because to "wail" means to mourn or to, as he put it, "...express one's feelings vocally". He also claims that he was the beginning of the group, and that it was he who first taught Bob Marley the guitar. Also according to Bunny Wailer, the early Wailers learned to play instruments from Tosh.
During the mid-1960s Tosh, along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, were introduced to Danny Sims and Johnny Nash who signed the three artists to an exclusive recording contract on Sims' and Nash's JAD Records label as well as an exclusive publishing agreement through Sims' music publishing company, Cayman Music. Rejecting the up-tempo dance of ska, the band slowed their music to a rocksteady pace, and infused their lyrics with political and social messages inspired by their new-found faith. The Wailers composed several songs for the American-born singer Nash before teaming with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry to record some of the earliest well-known reggae songs, including "Soul Rebel", "Duppy Conqueror", and "Small Axe". The collaboration had given birth to reggae music and in 1970 bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett and his brother, drummer Carlton Barrett, joined the group. They recorded the album The Best of The Wailers, which was produced by Leslie Kong and released in 1971.[citation needed]
In 1972, Danny Sims assigned the balance of the JAD Records recording contract with the band to Chris Blackwell and Island Records company and released their debut, Catch a Fire, in 1973, following it with Burnin' the same year. The Wailers had moved from many producers after 1970 and there were instances where producers would record rehearsal sessions that Tosh did and release them in England under the name "Peter Touch".
In 1973, Tosh was driving home with his girlfriend Evonne when his car was hit by another car driving on the wrong side of the road. The accident killed Evonne and severely fractured Tosh's skull. After Island Records president Chris Blackwell refused to issue his solo album in 1974, Tosh and Bunny Wailer left the Wailers, citing the unfair treatment they received from Blackwell, to whom Tosh often referred with a derogatory play on Blackwell's surname, 'Whiteworst'. Tosh had written many of the Wailers' hit songs such as "Get Up, Stand Up", "400 Years", and "No Sympathy". Tosh began recording and released his solo debut, Legalize It, in 1976 with CBS Records company, and Treasure Isle. The title track soon became popular among endorsers of cannabis legalization, reggae music lovers and Rastafari all over the world, and was a favourite at Tosh's concerts.
That was his last album from the Wailers, Island Records. In 2013, a book co-written by French scholar Dr Jeremie Kroubo Dagnini and American Lee Jaffe, his former associate, says Tosh was part of a smuggling operation that raised money to fund this album.
Solo career
Tosh started to make his own albums with Rolling Stones Records and CBS Records Equal Rights followed in 1977, featuring his recording of a song co-written with Marley, "Get Up, Stand Up", and a cover of "Stepping Razor" that would also appear on the soundtrack to the film Rockers.
Tosh organised a backing band, Word, Sound and Power, who were to accompany him on tour for the next few years, and many of whom performed on his albums of this period. In 1978, the Rolling Stones record label Rolling Stones Records contracted with Tosh, on which the album Bush Doctor was released, introducing Tosh to a larger audience. The album featured Rolling Stones frontmen Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and the lead single – a cover version of The Temptations song "Don't Look Back" – was performed as a duet with Jagger.
During Bob Marley's free One Love Peace Concert of 1978, Tosh lit a marijuana spliff and lectured about legalising cannabis, lambasting attending dignitaries Michael Manley and Edward Seaga for their failure to enact such legislation. Several months later he was apprehended by police as he left Skateland dance hall in Kingston and was beaten severely while in police custody.
Mystic Man (1979), and Wanted Dread and Alive (1981) followed, both released on Rolling Stones Records. Tosh tried to gain some mainstream success while keeping his militant views, but was only moderately successful, especially when compared to Marley's achievements.
In 1984, after the release of 1983's album Mama Africa, Tosh went into self-imposed exile, seeking the spiritual advice of traditional medicine men in Africa, and trying to free himself from recording agreements that distributed his records in South Africa. Tosh had been at odds for several years with his label, EMI, over a perceived lack of promotion for his music.
Tosh also participated in the international opposition to South African apartheid by appearing at anti-apartheid concerts and by conveying his opinion in various songs like "Apartheid" (1977, re-recorded 1987), "Equal Rights" (1977), "Fight On" (1979), and "Not Gonna Give It Up" (1983). In 1987, Peter Tosh seemed to be having a career revival. He was awarded a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Performance in 1987 for No Nuclear War, his last record.
Death
On 11 September 1987, just after Tosh had returned to his home in Jamaica, a three-man gang came to his house on motorcycles demanding money. Tosh replied that he did not have any with him but the gang did not believe him. They stayed at his residence for several hours and tortured Tosh in an attempt to extort money from him. Over the hours, as various associates of Tosh arrived to visit him, they were also taken hostage by the gunmen. The gunmen became more and more frustrated, especially the chief thug, Dennis "Leppo" Lobban, a man whom Tosh had previously befriended and tried to help find work after a long jail sentence. Tosh said he did not have any money in the house, after which Lobban and the fellow gunmen began opening fire in a reckless manner. Tosh was shot twice in the head and killed. Herbalist Wilton "Doc" Brown and disc jockey Jeff 'Free I' Dixon also died as a result of wounds sustained during the robbery. Several others in the house were wounded, including Tosh's common law wife Andrea Marlene Brown, Free I's wife Yvonne ("Joy"); Tosh's drummer Carlton "Santa" Davis, and musician Michael Robinson.
According to Police Commissioner Herman Ricketts, Dennis "Leppo" Lobban surrendered and two other men were interrogated but not publicly named. Lobban went on to plead innocent during his trial, telling the court he had been drinking with friends. The trial was held in a closed court due to the involvement of illegal firearms. Lobban was ultimately found guilty by a jury of eight women and four men and sentenced to death by hanging. His sentence was commuted in 1995 and Lobban remains in jail. Another suspect was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The other two gunmen were never identified by name.
Discography
Legalize It (1976)
Equal Rights (1977)
Bush Doctor (1978)
Mystic Man (1979)
Wanted Dread & Alive (1981)
Mama Africa (1983)
No Nuclear War (1987)
Cold Blood
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every time I see the wicked men my belly moves
You say after me sir
I solemnly swear
That the evidence I shall give
Shall be the truth
The whole truth
So help me God
So help I Jah ''(3x)'' .. Rastafari
Every time I see the wicked men my belly moves
You are brought before this court
For having ganja in your possession
Guilty or not guilty
Not guilty your honor
How could one man do such a thing ... Gang Jah
It is totally impossible your honor
I can remember yeah
When I was framed and jailed, brutalized
The grudge would find me guilty
For an exhibit they could not find
Every time I see Babylon my blood runs cold
Every time I see the wicked men my belly moves
When I see the condition
I said it's a curse
For the past 400 years ago
Things get from bad to worse
Every time I see Babylon my blood runs cold
Every time I see the wicked men my belly moves
The lyrics of Peter Tosh's song "Cold Blood" express the artist's feelings of fear, anger, and frustration towards the systemic oppression and injustice perpetuated by those in power, often referred to as Babylon. The first two lines, "Every time I see Babylon my blood runs cold, Every time I see the wicked men my belly moves," reveal the visceral reaction that Tosh has towards Babylon and the people in charge. The mention of "wicked men" highlights the corrupt nature of those in power, while the repetition of "Every time" reinforces the idea that this fear is not a one-time occurrence, but a constant reality.
The following lines reference a court scene, with someone being interrogated for allegedly having ganja in their possession. These lyrics speak to Tosh's own experiences of persecution and unjust punishment for his involvement with marijuana. The repetition of "so help me God" and "Rastafari" after each mention of "I Jah" represents Tosh's faith and belief that higher powers will ultimately provide justice.
The final verse references the legacy of slavery and colonization that has led to ongoing systemic issues, with lyrics like "For the past 400 years ago, things get from bad to worse" pointing to a long history of injustice. Overall, the lyrics of "Cold Blood" provide insight into Peter Tosh's views on oppression, injustice, and his faith in the ultimate triumph of justice.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I see Babylon my blood runs cold
Whenever I encounter the oppressive and unjust system of Babylon, I feel a deep sense of fear and anxiety.
Every time I see the wicked men my belly moves
I experience a sickening feeling in my stomach whenever I encounter corrupt and immoral individuals who represent the oppressive forces of Babylon.
You say after me sir
The singer is repeating an oath or affirmation that has been requested of them.
I solemnly swear
The artist is making a serious and solemn commitment to uphold the truth.
That the evidence I shall give
The artist is promising to speak truthfully and provide relevant evidence.
Shall be the truth
The singer is asserting that the information they provide will be truthful and accurate.
And nothin but the truth
The singer is emphasizing their commitment to telling the complete and unvarnished truth.
So help me God
The artist is asking for divine assistance and guidance in fulfilling their commitment to truth-telling.
So help I Jah ''(3x)'' .. Rastafari
The artist is invoking the name of Jah, the Rastafarian God, as a source of strength and inspiration in their pursuit of justice and righteousness.
You are brought before this court
The artist is describing a legal scenario in which a person is facing charges in court.
For having ganja in your possession
The illegal possession of marijuana is being presented as the reason for the defendant's legal troubles.
Guilty or not guilty
The defendant is being asked to enter a plea of either guilt or innocence.
Not guilty your honor
The defendant is asserting their innocence in the situation described.
How could one man do such a thing ... Gang Jah
The singer is expressing disbelief that a single person could be responsible for the injustice being discussed, and invoking the name of Jah as a symbol of resistance against oppression.
It is totally impossible your honor
The singer is refuting the idea that they could have committed the alleged crime, and presenting it as an absurd and unlikely scenario.
I can remember yeah
The artist is reflecting on their own past experiences and memories.
When I was framed and jailed, brutalized
The artist is recalling a time when they were falsely accused and imprisoned, and subjected to cruel treatment.
The grudge would find me guilty
The singer is describing a situation in which they were unfairly targeted and blamed for something they did not do.
For an exhibit they could not find
The singer is suggesting that they were accused of a crime they did not commit simply because the authorities could not find any evidence against them.
When I see the condition
The artist is referring to the current state of society.
I said it's a curse
The artist is expressing their belief that the social conditions they observe are the result of a collective curse or punishment.
For the past 400 years ago
The artist is referencing the long history of oppression and injustice that has characterized society for hundreds of years.
Things get from bad to worse
The singer is expressing a sense of despair and hopelessness about the trajectory of society, which seems to be getting progressively worse over time.
Contributed by Kaelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@4exgold
the man was touched by God I swear....his words, his music are pure beauty, soul & wisdom.
@livingstonwebster48
Bobmarley
@halcottblake8210
He robed in all areas off his life. He sings about the things that was going on in Jamaica and the rest of the world. True music prophet. His music will forever live on. Sleep and take your rest, bcas you finish you work. SIP
@jeromevanwyk8885
❤💛💚
@colinblack3941
Peter Tosh was a man that speaks from his heart and doesn't hold back words. This is expressed through his music, the music industry was corrupt, and treated him unfairly. His music was revolutionary and he never mixed words, sadly this offended people. They're powerful people around like the Americans and are awlays listening.
@patriciabelgrave8318
The things Peter predicted has come to pass, he won, his music will live forever.
@patriciabelgrave8318
If Peter was alive today I wondered what his future predictions would be.
@abrahampalmer1153
Agreed Peter is my favorite reggae artist ever in music he stood out from the rest.
@jeanclarke9106
For the people who were offended, it is their loss. Tosh was authentic and would not bow to his downpressors.
@saraharries7566
Wow you said it perfectly