Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, Carter began recording with Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label in the early 1970s under the name Prince Jazzbo. He went on to work on his own releases with Bunny Lee, producing as well in collaboration with many artists as a vocalist and producer for labels including his own, Ujama. His best work was probably done in collaboration with legendary producer Lee "Scratch" Perry. The seminal recording Super Ape featured Jazzbo toasting on "Croaking Lizard", one of the most distinctive reggae songs made. The murky sounds coming from Black Ark studio and the Upsetters were unlike anything else being done on the island. Prince Jazzbo and fellow toaster I-Roy had a well reported, but friendly and mutually beneficial on-record clash during 1975, including the cuts "Straight to Jazzbo's Head" from I-Roy and the retort, "Straight to I-Roy's Head" from Prince Jazzbo.
Prince Jazzbo's early work with Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One produced several hits in 1972-1974 including: "School", "Fool For Love" and "I Imperial". His first hit in 1972 with Coxsone though was a version of Horace Andy's "Skylarking", which he re-worked as "Crabwalking".
Carter died on September 11, 2013, at the age of 62, after a battle with lung cancer.
School
Prince Jazzbo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So you be cool and I turn into a fool and into a cool you know
Yay
Ca ciánt to piergo
It leaves up the gust and beer
Right here in the school is here
You go to school I learn the golden rule
And that the people will appreciate that if you go to school everyday
Ah, señor
You already back at a ride
Lolo cann elur
That your well suck seed
I need the piano right to opt aight
But if your spellers all the level I got to hell
So don't go to try to let the bell go ding dong
Before your go to school
Learn
Learn and you will heard this day, you know
Let's all me goes, all me goes, all me go
Make me go, make me go to school, make me go to school
Let me learn to go to pool, make nobody turn yo fool, no make nobody turn yo fool
See, you don't be fool
And yo dit stille
But if you can't read
You can't succeed
I need apian right to other side
I need apian get yo soul got tha hell
I not a liar, I not a liar, I not a liar, go to school
You learn how the rule
You learn the right
You learn to read
Tell yo
Learn, and you will earn, I tell ya know
The song "School" by Prince Jazzbo encourages listeners to take their education seriously and emphasizes the importance of going to school. The lyrics describe how going to school can help someone to become smarter, cooler, and appreciated by others. The song also notes the negative consequences of not going to school, including an inability to read and not being able to succeed.
The opening verse of the song encourages listeners to go back to school and "bend the rule." The lyrics suggest that by being academically successful and cool, people will appreciate and respect you. The song also contains some Jamaican patois, which can make it difficult for non-native speakers to understand the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Back to school to go bend the rule
Returning to school to question assumptions and challenge authority while respecting others.
So you be cool and I turn into a fool and into a cool you know
When you are calm, I can behave like an uneducated person, and expand my skillset to be cool like you.
You go to school I learn the golden rule
By attending school, you come to understand The Golden Rule, as I do.
I knew be cooler that I would say
I learned to be even cooler than I imagined possible.
And that the people will appreciate that if you go to school everyday
The population respects those who attend school regularly.
But if you can't read
Inability to read hinders success in life.
You can't succeed
We need the ability to read to lead a successful life.
Learn, and you will earn, I tell ya know
By learning, you get the ability to earn a better life.
I not a liar, I not a liar, I not a liar, go to school
I'm honest: going to school is the path to wealth and success.
You learn how the rule
Learning how to follow the rules is important for achieving future success.
You learn the right
With a good education, you learn about the right things and can make sound decisions.
You learn to read
Learning to read is a foundational skill everyone needs for success in life.
Learn, and you will heard this day, you know
If you educate yourself, your voice will be heard and respected.
Writer(s): Clement Dodd, Linval Roy Carter
Contributed by Taylor D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Chris-ri6es
Very appropriate for the children going back to face to face school next Monday in Jamaica
@raoufbasit
It must have been heaven growing up in Jamaica in the 70s
@gordonmckenzie2920
It was...no lie.
@koont666
It was heaven growing up with Jamaicans in London 70s trust💯
@christopherhamilton8779
It most definitely was.
@ladjones
This song should be played more often on Jamaican radio. Boom chune!
@ruthdowning9637
yes make we learn
@biancadeibel6533
Real Great Version, i Love IT so much, thanks!!!!!!!!!!😄😁😉❤️❤️❤️❤️😉
@stevejunor7336
One of my favourite artists is delivery
Is so rewarding.
@maineroad7429
Great piece of music. .