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)
Jah Say No
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and all the heathens go free?
Jah say no. Jah say no.
Must Rasta live in misery
and heathens in luxury?
Jah say no. Jah say no.
drive away transgression,
clean up corruption,
rule equality.
Must righteous live in pain
and always put to shame?
Jah say no. Jah Jah say no.
Must they be found guilty
and always get the blame?
Jah say no. Father say no.
He's gonna tear down the walls of downpression,
drive away transgression,
clean up the corruption,
set the captives free.
He will not give I and I
more than I can bear.
Jah say no. Jah say no.
He will not make Lucifer
get your soul to smear.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
Him a go tear down the walls of a Babylon,
clean up the corruption,
drive away transgression,
rule equality.
He will not make I
dash I foot 'gainst the stone.
Jah say no. Father say no.
No form of destruction
won't crumble my bones.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
Him a go tear down the walls of a Babylon,
eliminate Satan,
clean up corruption,
rule equality.
So I will not bear this cross alone
and all the world go free.
Jah say no. Jah Jah say no.
I will not stay poor
living in poverty.
Jah say no. My Father say no.
Him a come clean up corruption,
drive away transgression,
tear down Babylon,
set the captives free.
Set them free!
Clean it up!
Long time...
Set these captives free! Yeah.
Set the captives free. Yeah.
Tear down Babylon!
Clean up corruption!
Drive away transgression!
Set the captives free! Yeah.
Set the captives free.
Set the captives free!
In Peter Tosh's song "Jah Say No," he questions the unfairness in society where Rastafarians have to suffer while the heathens enjoy luxury. Tosh believes that Jah, or God, is against such oppression, cruelty, and inequality. The underlying theme of the song is that the Rastafarian religion is based on peace, love, and equality, and Jah will come to their aid by tearing down the walls of oppression, washing away corruption and transgression and set the captives free.
Tosh's message is clear throughout the song that Jah has the power to eradicate Babylon, a term used for the corrupt capitalist system, and establish an equal society. He believes that Jah will not burden anyone with more than they can handle and that Lucifer cannot manipulate anyone's soul. The song also emphasizes that no one should suffer alone, and everyone should have the right to live without poverty and shame.
Overall, "Jah Say No" is a powerful song that highlights the social injustice prevalent at the time and how society's behavior goes against the values of peaceful religions like Rastafarianism. Tosh's music and lyrics in this song symbolize a call for social justice and a world where everyone is equal.
Line by Line Meaning
Must Rasta bear this cross alone
and all the heathens go free?
Should Rastafarians alone suffer from societal injustice while others benefit from it? No, Jah (God) says it's not right.
Must Rasta live in misery
and heathens in luxury?
Should Rastafarians live in poverty and hardship while others indulge in affluence? Jah says it's not fair.
He's coming to tear down the walls of downpression,
drive away transgression,
clean up corruption,
rule equality.
The singer declares that God is on a mission to dismantle systems of oppression, remove wrongdoing, eradicate dishonesty, and establish fairness.
Must righteous live in pain
and always put to shame?
Is it right that people of integrity suffer while being constantly humiliated? No, Jah says it's not acceptable.
Must they be found guilty
and always get the blame?
Should the righteous be accused and blamed for things they didn't do? Jah affirms that it's not just.
He's gonna tear down the walls of downpression,
drive away transgression,
clean up the corruption,
set the captives free.
The singer believes that God will dismantle oppressive barriers, eradicate wrongdoing, rid society of dishonesty, and release those who are oppressed.
He will not give I and I
more than I can bear.
Jah will not allow individuals to face unbearable situations and circumstances in life.
He will not make Lucifer
get your soul to smear.
Jah will not allow the devil to corrupt or damage one's soul.
Him a go tear down the walls of a Babylon,
clean up the corruption,
drive away transgression,
rule equality.
The singer believes that God will destroy oppressive systems, eradicate dishonesty, eliminate wrongdoing and establish equitable and fair systems.
He will not make I
dash I foot 'gainst the stone.
Jah will not allow individuals to suffer unnecessary hardship or inconvenience.
No form of destruction
won't crumble my bones.
Jah promises that no destructive force can harm someone who has faith in Him.
So I will not bear this cross alone
and all the world go free.
The singer will not tolerate being alone in suffering while people around him are living free from injustice.
I will not stay poor
living in poverty.
The singer refuses to accept living in destitution while others enjoy life's luxuries.
Him a come clean up corruption,
drive away transgression,
tear down Babylon,
set the captives free.
The singer proclaims that God will eradicate dishonesty, destroy oppressive structures, and release the oppressed people from bondage.
Set them free!
Clean it up!
Long time...
Set these captives free! Yeah.
Set the captives free. Yeah.
The singer urges for the freedom of the oppressed and the cleansing of doubts and guilt feelings. He reminds that this has been long overdue.
Tear down Babylon!
Clean up corruption!
Drive away transgression!
Set the captives free! Yeah.
Set the captives free.
Set the captives free!
The singer calls for the destruction of oppressive systems, the cleansing of society from dishonesty, elimination of wrongdoing, and the freedom of the oppressed.
Contributed by Henry N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ukanaandrew2021
Peter Tosh will always remain my dream musician till tomorrow. Jah say No
@francisllewelyn5867
Tosh was a musical genius. Gone to soon
@marcelobonin2291
Who is listening to Peter in 2022?
Blesses from Brazil
@mounirerra
Peter Tosh the friend we never had. Rest in peace Prophet.
@nkosingiphilehlatshwayo
I will not stay poor, livin in poverty! Jah say no!
@johnkioko479
👊👊👊👊 Jah sey no
@gilbertyveschimtokoma7635
His music will live on.
@kenneth6417
One of the most powerful reggae song ever written and sung,what an incredible vocal presentation ❤
@kalesysikalunda3482
For sure, i will not stay poor and living in poverty! Says our father
@kalesysikalunda3482
Set the captives free