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)
Stepping Razor
Peter Tosh Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Treat me good
If you wanna live, live
I beg you treat me good
I'm like a walking razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous
I'm like a walking razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous
Dangerous
If you are a bully
Treat me good
If you are a bully, a bully
I beg you treat me good
I'm like a stepping razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous, dangerous
I'm like a stepping razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous, dangerous
If you are a chucky
Nobody chucky from me
If you are a chucky, a chucky
Nobody chuck from me, yeah
I'm like a stepping razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous, I'm so dangerous
I'm like a chopping razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous, dangerous
If you eat asphalt
I beg you treat me good
If you drink lead soup
You better treat me good
I'm like a stepping razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous, dangerous
I'm like a stepping razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous, dangerous
If you are bull bukka
Nobody buk from me, yeah
If you are duppy
You move away from me
I'm like a stepping razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous, dangerous
I'm like a stepping razor, walking by
I'm dangerous, dangerous
If you wanna live
Treat me good
Warning you if you wanna live, you better treat me good
I'm like a stepping, walking, cutting, flicking
Jumping, chopping, walking
I'm dangerous, I'm dangerous
I'm like a stepping, jumping, flicking, bumping, boring
I'm dangerous, I'm dangerous
If you drink mortal
Treat me good
And if you eat brick
Treat me good
I'm like a flashing laser and a rolling thunder
I'm dangerous, dangerous
I'm like a stepping razor
Don't you watch my size
I'm dangerous, I'm dangerous
Treat me good
If you wanna live
You better treat me good
If you wanna live
You better treat me good
You could a drink lead soup
I'm dangerous, dangerous
You could a eat asphalt
I'm dangerous, dangerous
You could a eat brick crackers
I'm dangerous, dangerous
And I don't know why
I'm dangerous, dangerous
Look at this father, ooh
He's dangerous, dangerous
I saw the sun, ooh
What a danger
"Stepping Razor," by Peter Tosh, is an anthem of warning and resistance from the perspective of a dangerous individual who demands respect. The central message of the song is that if people want to avoid danger, they must treat the singer with respect. Otherwise, he will use his razor-like abilities to cause harm. The song's chorus warns listeners that if they want to live, they must treat the singer well. The subsequent verses suggest that people who are bullies, chucky, or bukka should be particularly careful.
The metaphor of a razor is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that the singer is sharp and deadly. He warns that he is like a walking razor, a stepping razor, a chopping razor, and a flashing laser. The image of a razor is also associated with the singer's size, as though he is a small but deadly weapon. By contrast, the people he addresses are described as drinking lead soup, eating asphalt, and eating brick crackers. The singer's repeated warnings underscore the song's sense of urgency and caution, suggesting that everyone should be on guard against disrespect and aggression.
Line by Line Meaning
If you wanna live
Treat me with respect and kindness if you value your life
Treat me good
Show me respect and kindness
If you wanna live, live
If you want to truly live and thrive, treat others with respect and dignity
I beg you treat me good
I ask you humbly to show me kindness and respect
I'm like a walking razor
I am a sharp, dangerous force to be reckoned with
Don't you watch my size
Do not underestimate me because of my appearance
I'm dangerous
I am capable of great harm and destruction
If you are a bully
If you use your strength or power to intimidate others
If you are a bully, a bully
If you are a person who uses their strength or power to intimidate others
If you are a chucky
If you are a person who tries to provoke or instigate trouble
Nobody chucky from me, yeah
I will not let anyone provoke or instigate trouble around me
If you eat asphalt
If you are in a dangerous or precarious situation
If you drink lead soup
If you engage in behaviors that are harmful to yourself
You better treat me good
You should show me kindness and respect
If you are bull bukka
If you are a person who is disrespectful or hostile
Nobody buk from me, yeah
I will not tolerate anyone being disrespectful or hostile towards me
If you are duppy
If you are a troublemaker or a destructive influence
You move away from me
I do not want to associate with people who cause trouble or destruction
Warning you if you wanna live, you better treat me good
I caution you that if you value your life, you should treat me with kindness and respect
I'm like a stepping, walking, cutting, flicking, jumping, chopping, walking
I am a force to be reckoned with, moving quickly and unpredictably
If you drink mortal
If you persist in engaging in dangerous behaviors
And if you eat brick
If you persist in engaging in self-destructive behaviors
I'm like a flashing laser and a rolling thunder
I am powerful and unstoppable
Treat me good
Show me respect and kindness
You could a drink lead soup
You might engage in harmful behaviors
You could a eat asphalt
You might find yourself in dangerous situations
You could a eat brick crackers
You might engage in self-destructive behaviors
And I don't know why
I do not understand why I am this way
Look at this father, ooh
Behold my strength and power
He's dangerous, dangerous
I am a dangerous force to be reckoned with
I saw the sun, ooh
I am alive and powerful, like the sun itself
What a danger
I am a powerful and dangerous force
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rikkertbatzback1816
Peter Tosh taught himself to play the guitar and keyboard. He then went on to teach it to Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer. What a legend.
@fredvan6043
Not true. Indeed Peter (though being far from an accomplished musician at the time) was the first one to have a (self-made) guitar when they started as a group, so he might have shown the other lads a few basic chords he knew, but the man who taught Bob how to play the guitar was (Rita's father) Papa Roy Anderson, not Peter Tosh.
@nordinealtaalla1483
Manifestation rastafari 👍👍💪💪
@hakasv3233
So it is true, but a little more help
@hakasv3233
So not belongs no where
@Lerf8
Rest in Power
@cutterdriftwood6383
Sadly Peter tosh never received the full respect and acknowledgement that he deserved. His extraordinary and creative contributions were heavily overshadowed by Bob Marley's larger than life persona. Just as much talent came from Tosh as did from Marley. An I truly believe Marley was well aware of just how much he needed Tosh an how talented Tosh was. Sadly people still only think of Bob not knowing the very songs they love so much were partially or fully all creations of The great Peter Tosh. R.I.P Peter Tosh An thank you for the music you blessed our world with.
@agnesqui2096
+Cutter Driftwood that is why life is so unfair in this world
@DrumCultZA
+Cutter Driftwood Well phrased.
@Finn11233
+Cutter Driftwood very true but now his tunes have many views ! so fear not!