They released four studio albums and also mixed and compiled an album for Studio !K7's DJ-Kicks series.
Their urban sound was created by Richard Whittingham (DJ Dick) who began his DJ career in Duran Duran's Rum Runner nightclub, he now hosts Leftfoot at the Medicine Bar, and Glyn "Bigga" Bush who continues to produce music as BiggaBush and Lightning Head. Later the rapper Farda P. joined the band.
Discography
* Rockers to Rockers (Recorded 1993, released 1995, 4th & Broadway / Gee Street Records)
* Mish Mash (25 March, 1997, WEA Records)
* DJ-Kicks: The Black Album (19 May, 1997, Studio !K7)
* Overproof (1998, WEA Records)
* Times Up (1999, WEA Records)
What a Life
Rockers Hi-Fi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big Daddy boutya
Didn't know where, didn't know when
Just asked to answer at ten
To the local go-learn
Put up my hand, wait my turn
But it never comes, I have to shout out
That's life and that's what it's all about
What a life
Life, the ultimate stage
Learning to act from a very early age
Nothing is wrong 'cause nothing is right
Living your life, that's the ultimate fight now
I've grown a bit since ten
Even though I look back now and then
There were good times, there were bad
Some serious living to be had
No ties, some lies, and now and then some strife
Yeah, oh, yeah
What a life
Sometimes to look ahead, you need to look back
So you know where you're going and you're on the right track
So never lose your vision, displace your goal
Keep it running, don't allow it to get cold
And there in the distance
Where you can cut it without a knife
Can you feel it, can you hear it, oh, yeah
What a life
Do you feel in yourself that it's time to go
Live a life to lead, not go with the flow
And bring yourself to a promised land
In a world of choice, one you understand
You can be the narrator
Never the destroyer, more the creator
Like a scientist, explore your mind
Whether in a collage bar or standing on the front line
And through all the discomfort and through all the strife
Yeah, you know it
What a life
Original rockers on the case
Large, but not too in your face
Plenty of rhythm, big with the bass
Take your time 'cause there's no haste
To live the life you lead
Live the life you lead
What a life
The first verse of "What a Life" speaks about starting from the bottom and asking to be called upon during lessons in school, waiting one's turn and shouting out when it doesn't come. This is a metaphor for life and the struggle to be heard or stand out in a world where one must fight for their place in society. The chorus declares "what a life" amidst comfort and strife, implying that life is a journey with the good and the bad, but ultimately worth living.
The second verse compares life to a stage, where one must act from an early age, and acknowledges that nothing is inherently right or wrong. The ultimate fight is living one's life on their own terms. The lyrics encourage the listener to look back in order to move forward and not lose sight of their goals. They reinforce the idea that life is not to be lived passively, but as a narrator, creator, and explorer.
Overall, "What a Life" is an optimistic song about the ups and downs of existence, and the importance of living authentically.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, everybody gonna say yeah
Everyone will agree with what I'm about to say
Big Daddy boutya
Referring to oneself in a confident and self-assured manner
Didn't know where, didn't know when
A feeling of uncertainty and not knowing what the future holds
Just asked to answer at ten
Being given instructions or asked to do something at a young age
To the local go-learn
Going to school to learn and gain knowledge about the world
Put up my hand, wait my turn
Following the rules and behaving in an orderly manner
But it never comes, I have to shout out
Feeling ignored or overlooked and having to assert oneself
That's life and that's what it's all about
Acknowledging the ups and downs of life and accepting it for what it is
So through the comfort and the strife
Experiencing both good and bad times in life
What a life
Reflecting on the experiences and events that make up one's life
Learning to act from a very early age
Developing skills and behaviors for navigating life from a young age
Nothing is wrong 'cause nothing is right
The idea that life is subjective and there is no absolute right or wrong
Living your life, that's the ultimate fight now
The challenge of living life on one's own terms
I've grown a bit since ten
Reflecting on personal growth and change over time
Even though I look back now and then
Occasionally reflecting on past experiences
There were good times, there were bad
The mixture of positive and negative events in life
Some serious living to be had
Opportunities for adventure, growth, and change
No ties, some lies, and now and then some strife
The range of experiences in life, including both positive and negative things
Sometimes to look ahead, you need to look back
Reflecting on past experiences can help inform future decisions
So you know where you're going and you're on the right track
Having a clear understanding of where one wants to go in life
So never lose your vision, displace your goal
Staying true to one's aspirations and ideas, and not letting them fall by the wayside
Keep it running, don't allow it to get cold
Maintaining motivation and drive for one's goals
Can you feel it, can you hear it, oh, yeah
The excitement and anticipation of achieving one's goals
Do you feel in yourself that it's time to go
Knowing when it's time to move on from one phase of life to another
Live a life to lead, not go with the flow
Choosing to live life intentionally and not just following the crowd
In a world of choice, one you understand
Choosing a path in life that aligns with one's values and interests
You can be the narrator
Taking control of one's own story and experiences in life
Never the destroyer, more the creator
Being a positive influence on the world and creating things of value
Like a scientist, explore your mind
Continuing to learn and discover new things about oneself
Whether in a collage bar or standing on the front line
Living life in one's own way, regardless of external circumstances
And through all the discomfort and through all the strife
Continuing to persevere through challenges and difficult times
Yeah, you know it
Feeling confident and sure of oneself
Original rockers on the case
Proudly representing their musical genre and style
Large, but not too in your face
Having an impact and influence without being overpowering or overwhelming
Plenty of rhythm, big with the bass
Creating music that is lively, energetic, and driven by bass
Take your time 'cause there's no haste
Living life at one's own pace and taking time to enjoy the journey
To live the life you lead
Making the most of one's own unique experiences and opportunities in life
What a life
Celebrating the beauty and complexity of life and its experiences
Writer(s): Richard Whittingham, Glyn Bush, Robert Mckenzie
Contributed by Zachary V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
visizzlee
Wish this was on spotify :((. Great song!
Patonic313
COOL SONG WHAT A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! heard it on basketball diaries the movie! LOVE IT!
Ben Coleman
I taped this video off off the TV when it was featured on Gary Crowleys show ‘The Beat’ on LWT. I later picked up the single and the album. Whoever said home taping was killing music? This is a total tune, also.
Am Pe
Finally found it!! I remember searching for this long ago... unfortunately no Sound Hound back then lol... I love technology. ;)
Martin Barrett
My brother was involved making this video. I will ask him if he still has the original copy before it was relisted.
martin barrett
@Steve Gad I did but He could not find it. Have to wait for him to come across it. He's got loads of family photos he can't find.
Steve Gad
Well? How did it go?
Jules
@Martin Barrett Did you asked him ?
Luisa Rup
lilving your life and listening to this damn good beat!!!!!!!!
Jules
Right ?! Literally the way you described it