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)
Dem Ha Fe Get A Beatin
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am unable to cope with this financial shituation
That is causing inflation upon creation
I can't stand this no longer
The wicked get stronger
I can't stand this no longer
'Cause the battle is getting hotter
Chorus:
But them ha fe get a beatin'
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
Them must get a beatin'
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
Now that you waited
'Til you back is against the wall
One step to progess my brother
And I know Jah will help you all
Chorus
I can't stand this no longer
The wicked get stronger
I can't stand this no longer
'Cause even cockroach get nuffer
Chorus
Tell me how long
Must the good suffer for the bad
And every time the good open his mouth
The bad say "You must be mad!"
Chorus
I can't stand this no longer
Now that you waited so long
'Til you back is against the wall
If you make one step to progress
I know Jah will help you all
Chorus
I can't stand this no longer
The wicked get so strong
I can't stand this no longer
Everything seem to be wrong
Chorus
In Peter Tosh's song Dem Ha Fe Get A Beatin, the singer laments about his unfavorable financial situation, and how it's causing inflation, creating difficult circumstances for him to deal with. The lyrics suggest that the wicked are getting stronger, and the battle is heating up. However, Tosh asserts that the wicked will have to face the consequences of their actions and receive a beating. He encourages listeners to take a step towards progress and have faith in Jah's help.
The chorus of the song is a repeating assertion that the wicked must receive a beating as a result of their actions, and justice must be served. Tosh continues to question the reasons behind the good suffering for the bad, and how every time the good tries to stand up for themselves, they are silenced or dismissed by those in power.
One interpretation of the song is that Tosh is advocating for social justice and equality. He is encouraging those who have been marginalized and oppressed to speak out and take action, and have faith that justice will ultimately prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
Due to unfavorable financial condition
As a result of my difficult financial situation
I am unable to cope with this financial shituation
I cannot deal with this financial burden
That is causing inflation upon creation
Which is leading to an increase in prices across the board
I can't stand this no longer
I can no longer tolerate this situation
The wicked get stronger
Those who are evil seem to be gaining power
I can't stand this no longer
I cannot continue to endure this hardship
'Cause the battle is getting hotter
As the situation intensifies, the fight becomes more difficult
Chorus:
Refrain:
But them ha fe get a beatin'
Those who are wicked must be punished
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
Evil people deserve to be beaten
Them must get a beatin'
They ought to be punished
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
Evil people must be punished
Now that you waited
If you have waited too long
'Til you back is against the wall
Until you are in a desperate situation
One step to progess my brother
One positive action is all it takes to make progress
And I know Jah will help you all
I believe that God will assist everyone in need
Tell me how long
How much longer must we wait
Must the good suffer for the bad
Must innocent people suffer because of the actions of the guilty
And every time the good open his mouth
Whenever good people speak up
The bad say "You must be mad!"
The bad accuse them of being crazy
I can't stand this no longer
I cannot endure this any further
Now that you waited so long
If you have been delaying too much
'Til you back is against the wall
Until you find yourself in a difficult predicament
If you make one step to progress
If you take one step towards improvement
I know Jah will help you all
I believe that God will provide assistance to everyone
The wicked get so strong
Evil people are becoming increasingly powerful
Everything seem to be wrong
It appears as if everything is going poorly
Chorus
Refrain
Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@moseszimba6037
Due to unfavorable financial condition
I am unable to cope with this financial shituation
That is causing inflation upon creation
I can't stand this no longer
The wicked get stronger
I can't stand this no longer
'Cause the battle is getting hotter
But them ha fe get a beatin'
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
Them must get a beatin'
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
Now that you waited
'Til you back is against the wall
One step to progess my brother
And I know Jah will help you all
But them ha fe get a beatin'
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
Them must get a beatin'
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
I can't stand this no longer
The wicked get stronger
I can't stand this no longer
'Cause even cockroach get nuffer
But them ha fe get a beatin'
The wicked ha fe get a beatin'
Them…
@kouamewilliam6779
He was ahead of his time. His prophetic songs and the lyrics are mind blowing.
@lolli9788
Peter Tosh was the best for sure.That voice is one of a kind
@farajikomesha1264
The music that will last forever. I like the calmness of Peter when recording in the studio.
@kingsolomon0
The song is very much relevant to the present day situation , people are suffering due to rise in prices of items such such as oil , food , health education and housing , Tosh is advocating for the oppressed to stand up and challenge the wicked as they continue to a mass wealth @ the expense of the poor . To me Tosh is like PROPHET , big up Brother Tosh , R.I.P.
@zakuzaku9462
was thinking the same thing. he is the Prophet. Sela
@lo3ful
Natty rebel in Babylon, rastafari... much love to the most high for sending me, I mean... us Peter Tosh the great soldier in this place we call Earth.
To teach me the ways of life, for a black mon. RIP to one of the best of Jamaica's finest brah...🔥🔥🔥🏝🌌
@ccmma6399
Peter Tosh is truly one of the great philosophers of our time. R.I.P.
@suzukisan508
The best musician of all time
@suzukisan508
Exactly
@henrybwalya1892
He is the greatest of all times. Peter the great ❤❤