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)
Nothing But Love
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's exactly what we gonna do
Make it good
You are so beautiful
You are so wonderful
And you can make your dreams
Make them come true
You get through everything
And cast a laugh and sing
You can do anything
That you want to
You bring the sunshine when it's dark
With nothing but love sweet love
And make me smile and say it's fine
When I haven't got a dime
Love, true love
And when things are going wrong
We can fix it with a song
I know we can now
We gonna do it
You don't need expensive furs
You don't need no diamonds and pearls
You don't need that witchcraft world
To make your dreams come true
You don't need no Cadillac car
You don't have to be no movie star
Just what you are
And I know that you make it through
You are the essence of
Everything I love
Oh baby oh baby
It's a positive vibration
Going in circulation
We gonna give it to the nation
Through this evaporation
I feel it deep, deep down inside
The opening lyrics of "Mash it up now, That's exactly what we gonna do, Make it good" indicate a call-to-action to dismantle the existing system that has kept individuals trapped in a cycle of negativity and to rebuild something new, good and sustainable. Peter Tosh highlights that this can only be achieved through positive forces such as love, self-belief and determination. The following verses further stress the importance of positivity and love in overcoming obstacles, as opposed to material possessions and tools associated with the mainstream culture. The line "You don't need no Cadillac car, You don't have to be no movie star, Just what you are, And I know that you make it through" emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-acceptance, and the acknowledgement that success is achieved by being true to oneself.
The chorus stresses the importance of love in bringing sunshine to darkness, as well as the ability of music to fix issues when things go wrong. Love is seen as a universal relatable feeling that holds the power to connect and uplift individuals. The repeated use of "evaporation" represents the spread of these positive feelings both physically and spiritually, with "positive vibrations going in circulation".
Line by Line Meaning
Mash it up now
Let's go all out, give it our all
That's exactly what we gonna do
We're going to follow through with our plans
Make it good
Do it well and with utmost sincerity
You are so beautiful
Referring to a person as a whole, not just in physical attributes
You are so wonderful
Referring to a person's personality and character
And you can make your dreams
You have the ability to achieve your aspirations
Make them come true
Turning your dreams into a reality
You get through everything
You are strong and resilient
And cast a laugh and sing
You spread joy and positivity, even during difficult times
You can do anything
You have the potential to succeed in anything you put your mind to
That you want to
As long as it is something that you truly desire
You bring the sunshine when it's dark
Your presence and attitude bring light and positivity to negative situations
With nothing but love sweet love
Love is the driving force of your actions and personality
And make me smile and say it's fine
You have the power to make others happy and content with your actions and words
When I haven't got a dime
Even when things are tough and you don't have much, you still make others feel loved and happy
Love, true love
Emphasizing that the love that you bring is authentic and genuine
And when things are going wrong
Even during difficult times and situations
We can fix it with a song
Music and positivity can be the solution to problems
I know we can now
Confidence and belief in ourselves and our abilities
We gonna do it
Determination and motivation to succeed
You don't need expensive furs
Material possessions are not necessary for success or happiness
You don't need no diamonds and pearls
Luxury jewelry and accessories are not important for happiness or fulfillment
You don't need that witchcraft world
Referring to the corrupt and deceitful nature of society and mainstream culture
To make your dreams come true
Success and achievement come from hard work, determination, and staying true to yourself
You don't need no Cadillac car
Luxury cars and material possessions do not define you
You don't have to be no movie star
Fame and fortune do not equate to happiness or success
Just what you are
Embrace and love yourself for who you are, flaws and all
And I know that you make it through
Belief and confidence in oneself and one's abilities to overcome obstacles and succeed
You are the essence of
The embodiment and epitome of all the things I love and admire
Everything I love
Referring to all the positive, uplifting, and admirable qualities in a person
Oh baby oh baby
An expression of affection and admiration towards the person being addressed
It's a positive vibration
Referring to a positive and uplifting energy
Going in circulation
The spread of this positive and uplifting energy
We gonna give it to the nation
Sharing and spreading this positive energy to a wider audience
Through this evaporation
The dissemination of this positive energy through various means and channels
I feel it deep, deep down inside
This positive energy resonates with me on a profound and intrinsic level
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELLA MITCHELL, FREDDIE HARRIS
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