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)
Soon Come
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You tell me that you soon come
I call you on the phone
Yo utell me that you soon come
I don't like hangin' around
Or to be pushed around
I got my business puttin' down
I checked you at the gate
You tell me that you soon come
Make a date you're late
I wait because you soon come
Tell I what you're waiting for
Is it bus, truck or car
I-Man don't like your war
I don't like soon come
I checked you uptown
You tell me that you soon come
I checked you downtown
You tell me that you soon come
Don't take I for a fool
Who just come at of school
Don't ride me like a mule
I don't like soon come
I saw you on the bus
You tell I that you soon come
You start to make a fuss
You tell I that you soon come
You coulda screwed 'til you blue
I got to be with you
No matter what you do
I don't like soon come
You coulda screwed 'til you blue
No matter what you do
The chances are with you
I don't like soon come
Put some smile on your face
Let money be the taste
Like your presence in this place
I don't like soon come
In the song "Soon Come" by Peter Tosh, the lyrics refer to a person who is always coming up with excuses and delaying their arrival. The singer is impatient and does not like to wait, especially for someone who is not punctual. The phrase "soon come" is used throughout the song to symbolize this constant delay. The singer is frustrated and feels like their time and business is being disrespected. They feel like they are being taken for granted and that the person is not taking responsibility for their actions. The singer is telling the person that they need to change their behavior, stop making excuses and be more accountable for their actions.
The lyrics can also be interpreted more broadly, to symbolize the larger social and political issues of Jamaica. The constant delays and waiting in the song can be seen as a reflection of the larger cultural and societal issues facing Jamaica. The song could be seen as a call to action, for people to stop waiting around for change and to take action themselves. It could also be seen as a critique of the lack of progress and change in Jamaica, and the need for people to hold those in power accountable.
Overall, the song "Soon Come" is a powerful critique of people who are always late and make excuses. It can also be interpreted as a larger critique of societal and political issues in Jamaica.
Line by Line Meaning
Every time I call
Whenever I call you
You tell me that you soon come
You inform me that you will arrive shortly
I call you on the phone
I try to reach you over the phone
You tell me that you soon come
You promise me that you will come soon
I don't like hangin' around
I don't enjoy waiting unnecessarily
Or to be pushed around
I don't like being treated unfairly or being taken advantage of
I got my business puttin' down
I have important things to do
I don't like soon come
I don't appreciate empty promises of arrival
I checked you at the gate
I met you at the entrance
You tell me that you soon come
You assure me that you will arrive shortly
Make a date you're late
You fail to keep to our agreed appointment time
I wait because you soon come
I wait for you as you promised to come soon
Tell I what you're waiting for
Kindly tell me the reason why you are delayed
Is it bus, truck or car
Did you encounter any travel issues?
I-Man don't like your war
I dislike your excuses
I don't like soon come
I don't appreciate empty promises of arrival
I checked you uptown
I saw you in the upper part of town
You tell me that you soon come
You inform me that you will arrive shortly
I checked you downtown
I saw you in the lower part of town
Don't take I for a fool
Don't underestimate my intelligence
Who just come at of school
I am not naive or inexperienced
Don't ride me like a mule
Don't treat me harshly or like a servant
I don't like soon come
I don't appreciate empty promises of arrival
I saw you on the bus
I noticed you on the bus
You tell I that you soon come
You inform me that you will arrive shortly
You start to make a fuss
You begin to argue or complain
You tell I that you soon come
You assure me that you will arrive soon
You coulda screwed 'til you blue
You could have sex until exhausted
I got to be with you
I have to be near or with you
No matter what you do
Despite your actions
I don't like soon come
I don't appreciate empty promises of arrival
Put some smile on your face
Make an effort to be happy and pleasant
Let money be the taste
Prioritize financial gain over other things
Like your presence in this place
I appreciate your company and want you to stay
I don't like soon come
I don't appreciate empty promises of arrival
Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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