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 Am That I Am
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To live up to your expectations
Neither are you here to live up to mine, yeah
I don't owe no one
No obligation
No, I don't mean none
So everything is fine, fine
I said, I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
Don't underestimate
My ability
Don't definite my character
Don't belittle my authority
It's time you recognized my quality
I said, I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I said, I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
Learn to love
To love your brother
Don't covet your neighbor
Flee from the city
It's getting shitty
It is full of out-a-quity
I said, I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am the rock of the ages
You cannot move I at all
I am the son of lightning
You cannot move I at all
Son of Jacob
Cannot move me at all
I am the son of Moses
You can't move I at all
I am the son of David
You cannot move I at all
I am a firm ripe diamond
You cannot move I at all
You could a shed more tears
You cannot move I at all
You could a full of evil
You cannot move I at all
You could a try more nuttin'
You cannot move I at all
And you can try make a something
That can't move I at all
And could a come with ism
You can't move I at all
And could come with skism
That can't move I at all
Peter Tosh's "I Am That I Am" song is a powerful message of self-affirmation and self-acceptance in the face of societal expectations and pressures. In the opening lines of the song, Tosh states that he and his listeners are not here to live up to each other's expectations. He asserts his independence and rejects the idea that anyone owes anyone else any obligation. Tosh employs repetition to emphasize his message of self-acceptance with the refrain "I am that I am." Tosh reminds his listeners not to underestimate his ability and not to define his character or belittle his authority. He demands that people recognize his quality and the power of his individual spirit.
Tosh's message goes beyond individual empowerment. He encourages his listeners to love one another and not to be envious of their neighbor. He even warns of the dangers of cities and urges people to flee from them. In the second half of the song, Tosh declares that he is unmovable and invincible. He refers to himself as the "rock of the ages," the "son of lightning," the "son of Jacob," the "son of Moses," and the "son of David." He further declares himself a "firm ripe diamond" and asserts that nothing can move or dislodge him. Finally, he proclaims that even if people come with "ism" or "schism," they cannot move him. The song represents a call for people to affirm their individuality and their faith in the power of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not in this world
To live up to your expectations
Neither are you here to live up to mine, yeah
I am not on this earth to meet your standards, and you are not here to meet mine. We are all here to live our own lives.
I don't owe no one
No obligation
No, I don't mean none
So everything is fine, fine
I have no debts or obligations, and I do not intend to owe anyone anything. Hence, everything is good (fine).
I said, I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I am that I am
I am, I am, I am
I exist as I am without any need for explanation or justification. I am what I am in the present moment, and that's all that matters.
Don't underestimate
My ability
Don't definite my character
Don't belittle my authority
It's time you recognized my quality
Do not undervalue my competence, define my identity, or undermine my influence. It's high time you acknowledged my excellence.
Learn to love
To love your brother
Don't covet your neighbor
Flee from the city
It's getting shitty
It is full of out-a-quity
We should strive to love one another and not be greedy for our neighbour's possessions. Evade the city as it's immoral, unrighteous, and full of corruption.
I am the rock of the ages
You cannot move I at all
I am the son of lightning
You cannot move I at all
Son of Jacob
Cannot move me at all
I am the son of Moses
You can't move I at all
I am the son of David
You cannot move I at all
I am a highly unyielding and unwavering personality that has been instilled with the divine powers of the past generations. No one can overpower me due to my unrelenting nature.
I am a firm ripe diamond
You cannot move I at all
You could a shed more tears
You cannot move I at all
You could a full of evil
You cannot move I at all
You could a try more nuttin'
You cannot move I at all
And you can try make a something
That can't move I at all
And could a come with ism
You can't move I at all
And could come with skism
That can't move I at all
I have strongly set myself as a valuable and steadfast entity that is impervious to emotional manipulation or other external influences. Nothing can shake me or change my course of action.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mitchell Nobles
on Legalize It
araha del ganja fedelia antoka rastaman arie del rasta
Juan Lantigua
on Legalize It
if love ganja go for it
Abd Al Halim Zargi
on Brand New Second Hand
hchicha hnina
Gosset Yoh
on Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)
let jah be praised/otherwise,this is whats going to happen. he who got ear, just ear it.
Ali Rifai
on Bush Doctor
good gooooooooooooooooooooooooooood
John Leo Macayran Murillo
on Legalize It
uram nga oka
Nicky Quitania
on Wanted Dread and Alive - 2002 - Remaster
fuking cannabis he ruin my damn world
Maria De Jesus Santos
on Johnny B Goode - 2002 - Remaster
linda musica
Elbe Moreira
on Glass House
é barriu
Alex Severiano
on Burial
TRANQUILIDADE NO TÉMPO TA MASSA KKKKKKKKKKKKKRSRSRSRSR