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)
I'm the Toughest
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Anything you can do
I can do it better
I'm the toughest ''(2x)''
And I can do what you can't do
You'll never try to do what I do
I'm the toughest ''(2x)''
Change your foolish plans
Stop from doing wrongs
Just live up like a man
I'm the toughest ''(2x)''
Now my little brothers
You've got to be good
Do what's right
Don't be bad-minded
Just take what's yours
And there'll be no fuss or fight
''Chorus''
Stop from doing wrongs
Change your foolish plan
Stop from doing wrongs
Just live up like a man
I'm the toughest ''(2x)''
Now my brothers
You've got to be good
Just do what you know is right
Don't be bad minded
Just take what's yours
And there'll be no fuss or fight
''Chorus''
I said I love my brothers
I said I love my sisters
I don't covet my neighbour
And I love my neighbour
The lyrics of Peter Tosh's song "I'm the Toughest" convey a message of strength, resilience, and self-respect. The chorus emphasizes that anything his peers can do, he can do better, and he is the toughest. The repetition of the chorus drives home the message that he is not one to be underestimated or challenged easily. He urges his audience to stop pursuing foolish plans and to live up to their potential by doing what is right and not being bad-minded. The verses address his "little brothers" and "brothers," encouraging them to take what's theirs without causing harm or conflict. He emphasizes love for his community, refusing to covet his neighbor and spreading love to his siblings.
Tosh's message in this song is about personal empowerment, self-respect, and community-building through peaceful means. He urges his listeners to embrace their inner strength and to lead by example, promoting harmony and respect for one another. He highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and not allowing oneself to fall into bad habits or negative patterns. Through his lyrics, Tosh inspires his listeners to embrace their individuality and to be a positive force in their communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Anything you can do
There's nothing that you can do that I can't do too
I can do it better
In fact, I can do it even better than you can
I'm the toughest (2x)
I am the strongest and most resilient person around
And I can do what you can't do
There are some things you are afraid to try that I'm not
You'll never try to do what I do
I know you won't even attempt to do what I do because you're not tough enough
Stop from doing wrongs
Stop yourself from making mistakes or from doing things that are morally wrong
Change your foolish plans
Revise and improve upon your ineffective or harmful plans or ideas
Just live up like a man
Take responsibility for your actions and face your problems head-on like an adult would
Now my little brothers
Addressing his fellow men or the younger generation
You've got to be good
You must strive to do what's right for yourself and for others
Do what's right
Make choices that align with your moral values and beliefs
Don't be bad-minded
Don't be envious, spiteful or seek revenge
Just take what's yours
Claim what is rightfully yours, without harming others
And there'll be no fuss or fight
If you act with integrity, there will be no quarrel or dispute
I said I love my brothers
The singer states that he loves his fellow men, including his siblings or community members
I said I love my sisters
He also expresses love and respect for women, including his female siblings or community members
I don't covet my neighbour
He doesn't desire or seek to possess the things that belong to his neighbors
And I love my neighbour
The singer cares for and has good will towards his fellow citizens
Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sophritoh
Anything you can do
I can do it better
I'm the toughest (2x)
And I can do what you can't do
You'll never try to do what I do
I'm the toughest (2x)
Stop from doing wrongs
Change your foolish plans
Stop from doing wrongs
Just live up like a man
I'm the toughest (2x)
Now my little brothers
You've got to be good
Do what's right
Don't be bad-minded
Just take what's yours
And there'll be no fuss or fight
Anything you can do
I can do it better
I'm the toughest (2x)
And I can do what you can't do
You'll never try to do what I do
I'm the toughest (2x)
Stop from doing wrongs
Change your foolish plan
Stop from doing wrongs
Just live up like a man
I'm the toughest (2x)
Now my brothers
You've got to be good
Just do what you know is right
Don't be bad minded
Just take what's yours
And there'll be no fuss or fight
Anything you can do
I can do it better
I'm the toughest (2x)
And I can do what you can't do
You'll never try to do what I do
I'm the toughest (2x)
I said I love my brothers
I said I love my sisters
I don't covet my neighbour
And I love my neighbour
@eronicava3724
I'm the Toughest
Peter is full of positive energy and
vibrations
Love from the Fiji Isles ❤❤❤
@siyabulelayolo8933
You are the toughest indeed my brother and you will always
@ijeomaofobike1754
My best song of peter
@user-os9ev6om2s
The toughest, keep resting in peace.
@asaforlouisfru7417
He is my best artist. In fact Peter has a good taste of instrument n music....RIP Peter.
@prophetkey
SHA'LAM: I ACCEPT THAT PETER TOSH WAS THE TOUGHEST, AMONG THEM ALL FELLOW AND HE IS MY KING OF REGGA.
@corrinetaylor6471
agreed..the stepping razor was DANGEROUS...much love
@patriciabelgrave8318
Are you still enjoying Peter tosh Music?
@dogsboneprototype7278
@@patriciabelgrave8318who isn’t?
@asaforlouisfru7417
My greatest musician!!!!