Smith made his recorded debut in 1994 as part of IQ Procedure through Suburban Base’s short-lived hip hop imprint Bluntly Speaking Vinyl. He debuted as Roots Manuva the same year on Blak Twang's "Queen’s Head” single, before releasing his own single, “Next Type of Motion” the following year. 1996 saw the release of his collaborations with Skitz (“Where My Mind Is At”/”Blessed Be the Manner”). The release of “Feva” followed in 1997; this was also the year that saw the first releases from Big Dada, a collaboration between Coldcut’s Ninja Tune label and hip hop journalist Will Ashon.
Releasing for Coldcut's renowned experimental/hip-hop label Ninja Tune in 1998, some of his music may be seen as a predecessor of grime. The following year he released his fearsome debut album, “Brand New Second Hand”. Manuva was rewarded for his breakthrough with a MOBO as Best Hip Hop Act that year. He has also relesed 2001's “Run Come Save Me”, followed the next year by “Dub Come Save Me” in, which features dub remixes of five songs from the previous album alongside new work. This was followed up with the release of “Awfully Deep” in 2005 and “Alternately Deep” in 2006.
The lyrics of his songs are usually known to take a distinctly British edge, with many critics highlighting his references of eating cheese on toast and drinking bitter as examples of this. His warm and easily recognizable voice can be heard on many songs he performed with other artists such as Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5 & Ozomatli), DJ Shadow, U.N.K.L.E., Nightmares on Wax, The Cinematic Orchestra, Beth Orton and Leftfield. He also made an appearance on the Gorillaz album, Demon Days, lending his distinctive vocals to the track, "All Alone".
Highest Grade
Roots Manuva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dah dah dah dah dah
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
(Chorus: repeat 2X)
I might take of my shoes might take of my socks
Take a little peep under that frock tonight
But there be no body pop pop tonight
You know my style I keep it on a holy outa body mind blown
We in some zone
So how deep can we sow those seeds
and proceed to buck the limit?
Spinnin' in a whirlpool, ecential peek
Messin' around with all those chemical rushes
When natural highs come a whole lot cheeper
Sweet to Geha got me singin' baby baby babe
I got the sudden urge to miss behave
I want to take you away from all the stresses
Buy you nice flowers and expensive dresses
You don't belive me, you think I'm cheesy
(Chorus: repeat 2X)
I want to feel ya, I want to know ya, I want to hold ya
But at the same time situations are complex
Cause you got perticulars, I got perticulars
Old circles are sick of us
Cause we're walkin' down a prim-rose row
To everything and nothing
So can you picture past the honeymoon
where you beat me with a wooden spoon
And you got me sleepin' on the couch
Now I'm thinkin' who's house is this?
This is my money, this is my pain, these are my drugs
This is my brain, and its never gonna be the same
(Chorus: repeat 2X)
I'm a one man power house succeding within the scene
Son of the sir(e) livin' the love livin' the dream
Wiper snapers get jeolous it's true they don't know
'Bout my x amount of heart break years of low dough
We professional we dealin' with bussiness
Revolution creap up slap you on the nose bridge
Touces in the back room gettin' the dutch
And these women in my black book they all quite posh
Still I wash my own breif wash my own socks
Some cocks y'all the horny bastards gressy polls
Square peg in a round hole too much show now
Some say I'm arrogent some say I'm laid back
From a counciled fact payin' higher rate tax
Who's the that who's the geeks must be Manuva MC
With a second LP for all the girls I got the vitality
It's my
(Chorus: repeat 4X)
In Roots Manuva's song "Highest Grade," the chorus sets a lighthearted and carefree tone, inviting the listener to enjoy the dreamy days and not worry about what may come. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer is looking for a good time, but also acknowledges that there may be complexities and challenges in relationships. In the verse, the singer describes himself as a "long foot barely talk," implying that he is something of an awkward outsider, but that he still wants to connect with others in deep and meaningful ways. He speaks of wanting to sow seeds and buck the limit, suggesting a desire for personal growth and exploration. The lines "messin' around with all those chemical rushes when natural highs come a whole lot cheaper" point to a theme of seeking authentic experiences and connection, rather than relying on substances or artificial stimuli.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more personal, touching on the challenges and rewards of relationships. The singer talks about wanting to know and hold the person he desires, but also acknowledges that there are complications and particularities that must be navigated. He speaks of the hurdles and difficulties that come with a long-term relationship, such as disagreements and frustrations. By the end of the song, the lyrics have shifted back to a more celebratory tone, with the singer declaring himself a "one-man powerhouse" who is living the love and the dream.
Line by Line Meaning
Dreamy days, come what may, we feel no way
there's gonna be fun and lots of laughter
I'm just a long foot barely talk
I'm not saying much
I might take of my shoes might take of my socks
I might get comfortable
Take a little peep under that frock tonight
I'm curious, but nothing untoward
But there be no body pop pop tonight
I'm not going to be disrespectful
You know my style I keep it on a holy outa body mind blown
I'm spiritual and open-minded
We in some zone
we're in the right headspace
So how deep can we sow those seeds
how far can we take this?
and proceed to buck the limit?
pushing boundaries
Spinnin' in a whirlpool, ecential peek
playing with drugs, but it's not the answer
Messin' around with all those chemical rushes
getting high artificially
When natural highs come a whole lot cheeper
realizing natural joy is more rewarding
Sweet to Geha got me singin' baby baby babe
I'm feeling good
I got the sudden urge to miss behave
I'm feeling a little rebellious
I want to take you away from all the stresses
I want to make you happy
Buy you nice flowers and expensive dresses
I want to spoil you
You don't belive me, you think I'm cheesy
you're not convinced, you might find me corny
I want to feel ya, I want to know ya, I want to hold ya
I'm really into you
But at the same time situations are complex
this is all complicated
Cause you got perticulars, I got perticulars
we both have our own issues
Old circles are sick of us
our friends don't like us together
Cause we're walkin' down a prim-rose row
we're heading into uncharted territory
To everything and nothing
it's all uncertain
So can you picture past the honeymoon
can you see us long-term?
where you beat me with a wooden spoon
when things get tough between us
And you got me sleepin' on the couch
when things get really tough between us
Now I'm thinkin' who's house is this?
this is a mess
This is my money, this is my pain, these are my drugs
these are my problems
This is my brain, and its never gonna be the same
this is my headspace, and it's changed
I'm a one man power house succeding within the scene
I'm successful in my field
Son of the sir(e) livin' the love livin' the dream
I'm living a great life
Wiper snapers get jeolous it's true they don't know
people are envious of me
'Bout my x amount of heart break years of low dough
they don't know what I've been through
We professional we dealin' with bussiness
we're handling things like grown-ups
Revolution creap up slap you on the nose bridge
you never know what's going to happen
Touces in the back room gettin' the dutch
some people are doing drugs
And these women in my black book they all quite posh
I've got some fancy ladies interested in me
Still I wash my own breif wash my own socks
I'm still grounded
Some cocks y'all the horny bastards gressy polls
some guys are just gross
Square peg in a round hole too much show now
I don't fit in everywhere
Some say I'm arrogent some say I'm laid back
I have a mixed reputation
From a counciled fact payin' higher rate tax
I pay a lot of taxes
Who's the that who's the geeks must be Manuva MC
I'm the man
With a second LP for all the girls I got the vitality
I've still got it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: JIMMY WEBB, RODNEY HYLTON SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind