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)
No Mercy
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look waa Babylon a do a Rasta done ya
Look waa Babylon a do it on ya Lord
Oh... them have no mercy... No Jah
Dem a gi we carry basket fi carry water
Can′t you see Lord
Dem a gi me carry basket fi carry water
Dem a gi we basket fi carry water Lord
Dem beat you up and kick you down a put you in jail
Dem beat innocent and put them down and put dem in jail
Beat us up and kick us down a put us in jail Lord
No... Babylon don't have no mercy... No Jah
Dem shoot you if them don′t like you
And nothin' comes out of it
Shoot you if them don't like you
And nothin′ comes out of it
Shot you if them don′t like you
And it goes like that Lord
No... dem no have no mercy... none at all... No Jah
The rich man have all the talk
But the poor man got none Lord
The rich man have the talk
But the poor man got none Lord
The rich man have all the talk
No... dem no have no mercy... No Jah
I said we can't stand the policy brutality Lord
We can′t stand policy brutality Lord
We just can't stand policy brutality Lord
No... dem no have no mercy... No Jah
So take a look waa Babylon a do it on ya Lord
Look waa the wicked dem a do it on ya Lord
Look waa the wicked dem a do it on ya Lord
The lyrics to Peter Tosh's song "No Mercy" convey a strong message about the oppression and brutality inflicted upon marginalized communities by those in power, specifically referencing the actions of the Babylonian system. The term "Babylon" in reggae music often represents oppressive forces, such as corrupt governments or systems that inflict suffering upon the people.
Tosh describes how Babylon is mercilessly targeting and mistreating Rastafarians, who are followers of the Rastafari movement. He emphasizes the lack of compassion and empathy that Babylon exhibits towards these marginalized individuals. Tosh vividly describes the violence and injustice they face, including being beaten, kicked, and unjustly imprisoned. The lyrics also highlight how innocent people are subjected to this brutality.
Furthermore, Tosh points out the unequal distribution of power and resources in society. He contrasts the rich, who have a voice and influence in shaping policies, with the poor, who are left voiceless and suffer due to the lack of mercy from those in power. Tosh suggests that the oppressive system has no regard for the well-being of the poor and marginalized, emphasizing the urgent need for change.
Overall, "No Mercy" serves as a powerful critique of the Babylonian system and its disregard for justice, equality, and compassion. It sheds light on the struggles faced by marginalized communities and calls for a transformation of the oppressive realities they endure.
Line by Line Meaning
Look waa Babylon a do it on ya Lord
See what Babylon is doing to you, Lord
Look waa Babylon a do a Rasta done ya
Observe how Babylon mistreats the Rasta, Lord
Look waa Babylon a do it on ya Lord
Witness what Babylon is doing to you, Lord
Oh... them have no mercy... No Jah
Oh... they show no mercy... No divine guidance
Dem a gi we carry basket fi carry water
They make us carry baskets to fetch water
Can't you see Lord
Can't you see, Lord
Dem a gi me carry basket fi carry water
They make me carry a basket to fetch water
Dem a gi we basket fi carry water Lord
They make us carry baskets to fetch water, Lord
No... dem no have no mercy... No Jah
No... they have no mercy... No divine guidance
Dem beat you up and kick you down a put you in jail
They beat and kick you, putting you in jail
Dem beat innocent and put them down and put dem in jail
They beat innocent people, bring them down, and imprison them
Beat us up and kick us down a put us in jail Lord
They beat and kick us, putting us in jail, Lord
No... Babylon don't have no mercy... No Jah
No... Babylon lacks any mercy... No divine guidance
Dem shoot you if them don't like you
They shoot you if they don't like you
And nothin' comes out of it
And nothing happens as a consequence
Shoot you if them don't like you
They shoot you if they don't like you
And nothin' comes out of it
And nothing happens as a consequence
Shot you if them don't like you
They shoot you if they don't like you
And it goes like that Lord
And it continues like that, Lord
No... dem no have no mercy... none at all... No Jah
No... they lack any mercy... none whatsoever... No divine guidance
The rich man have all the talk
The rich man has all the power of speech
But the poor man got none Lord
But the poor man has none, Lord
The rich man have the talk
The rich man has the power of speech
But the poor man got none Lord
But the poor man has none, Lord
The rich man have all the talk
The rich man has all the power of speech
No... dem no have no mercy... No Jah
No... they lack any mercy... No divine guidance
I said we can't stand the policy brutality Lord
I said we cannot endure the brutality of the policy, Lord
We can't stand policy brutality Lord
We cannot endure the brutality of the policy, Lord
We just can't stand policy brutality Lord
We simply cannot endure the brutality of the policy, Lord
No... dem no have no mercy... No Jah
No... they lack any mercy... No divine guidance
So take a look waa Babylon a do it on ya Lord
So look at what Babylon is doing to you, Lord
Look waa the wicked dem a do it on ya Lord
See what the wicked ones are doing to you, Lord
Look waa the wicked dem a do it on ya Lord
See what the wicked ones are doing to you, Lord
Writer(s): Peter Tosh
Contributed by Declan G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cedric Kross
I know a lot of Peter tosh songs, trust me. I even have his whole music catalogue. Been listening to him for over 35 years now and this is the first time I hear this song. Good tune. RIP WINSTON HUBERT MCINTOSH, the REBEL WAILER🙏
Kayiza Evergreen
Rest in power king!! much love from Uganda
saifu maldini
The legend forever
Nate Lee
Stay positive me brethren. In it we shall rise to the great task to come.
THOHT
"Dem shoot you if dem dont like you and nothing comes out of it..." - this is what eventually happened to him, Peter Tosh
Patricia Rodrigues
🔥🔥🔥🍁🍁🍁🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Wyclef Chipanda
No mercy LOVE PETER TOSH
Ashley Salisbury
legend
Ras Ngabo
lorddddd,...no words,..live ever Peter
Lord Inquisitor
great, just great bless!