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".
Stone The Crows
Roots Manuva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Notion! Know shun, No. no - shun....
------------------------------
Nightime passes - sleep man in the valley.
Is a discount two-penny with no vampire flock.
As you can tell, I'm from a basic stock.
I get vexed an' wanna beat the world with a pork chop.
Off beat ... lost the key* and can't find it.
The devil on my shoulder keep tellin' me shit.
Constantly got me feeling like I'm losin' my grip.
Whats'on in my head - I tried fight back the hate.
I look into the mirror - see the face of a mistake.
Should I really be here, should I really exist?
Should I take these drugs? Should I get so pissed?
I dedicate this to the tippler crew.
Getting drunk, playing punk on the stylophone.
The zone of coasters. coastin' far.
Pissin' in a bottle while drivin' in the car.
Lager lout rap, do you dig my niche?
Toke' he tune off on the pipes of peace...
Cruff-neck scout you know we bought and about.
They major hope in a time o' deep doubt.
We's feelin' the feelin' of knowing the feeling and
Lovin' the feeling cuz it feels so crisp...
Posse on cue they'mouf{?} we jump an' twist
Each and every time we catch a style like this ...
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Hither to ... bear witness. { tra la la la }
To the Birth... { tra la la la }
Of the Brute ...{ tra la la la }
And furthermore { tra la la la }
Of the brute { tra la la la }
Sing .. brute away .. { tra la la la }
------------------------------
Stone the Crows my hands {Aunts} stay giddy.
I dance with hippy chicks more madder than lizzy
I could never understand all the hoorah fuss.
Until my drink got spike with a spoon of moondust.
Dancin' into the night - into the day!
Within my soul abhorred {aboard} the slow decay.
Singin' yippe-yie-yeay - tribal flashback
Back to square one - sound o' Drum.
The tongue of the book - the look of the crooked.
Purple lord please - run come save me...
I don't wanna live until I'm dying to die.
My types o' heaven is a good clean supply.
Love for my tiddly-whack.
Bliss for the todger. More jolly than roger.
With a wad of pink notes ... singin'
One rums, two rums,three rums, four.
Drink five rums and we fall on the floor.
------------------------------
{tra la la la } Hither to! Bear Witness ...
The brute! {tra la la la }
The birth of the brute .. {tra la la la }
And furthermore {tra la la la }
The Brute .. shall stay .. Brutish!
Yes ... Yes ... and Furthermore ... Yes.
The Brute live ... The brute love ...
The brute know ... Brute .. away ...
Brute .. ality ... Brutism .. The brute!
------------------------------
* [or kid or slang for 'kilo'?]
The lyrics of this song have a strong abstract and introspective theme. The opening lines, including "Mind to motion. Know the notion. Notion! Know shun, No. no - shun...." showcase the singer's battle of the mind and body, with the lyrics portraying the dilemma of taking drugs and alcohol to deal with the hardships of life which eventually leads to self-loathing, confusion, and regret. The singer's turmoil increases as the lyrics progress, with mentions of the devil on the shoulder, the feeling of losing control, and fighting back the hate within oneself.
The song's recurring chorus, "Hither to! Bear Witness ... The brute! The birth of the brute .. And furthermore The Brute shall stay Brutish! Yes ... Yes ... and Furthermore ... Yes. The Brute live ... The brute love ... The brute know ... Brute .. away... Brute .. ality ... Brutism .. The brute!" gives the impression of the singer accepting the brute inside them and embracing it instead of fighting it. The final lines of the chorus, "Brutism .. The brute!" almost glorify this darkness within them, which is an interesting contrast with the rest of the conflict-laden lyrics of the song. Overall, the song gives listeners insight into the inner turmoil of someone grappling with the darkness within themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Mind to motion. Know the notion.
I need to have a plan and act on it. I need to understand the idea behind it as well.
Notion! Know shun, No. no - shun....
I need to avoid negative ideas associated with the notion that keep me from moving forward.
Nightime passes - sleep man in the valley.
The night goes by and many people are asleep, unaware of the things happening around them.
Is a discount two-penny with no vampire flock.
I am a regular person with nothing special about me.
As you can tell, I'm from a basic stock.
I come from humble origins and have simple aspirations.
I get vexed an' wanna beat the world with a pork chop.
I get frustrated with the world and want to lash out at it.
Off beat ... lost the key* and can't find it.
I feel out of sync and disoriented, unable to find my purpose or direction.
Representation of the spit in the grit.
I am a product of my environment and upbringing, shaped by the harsh realities of life.
The devil on my shoulder keep tellin' me shit.
I struggle with negative thoughts and impulses that lead me astray.
Constantly got me feeling like I'm losin' my grip.
I feel like I'm losing control of my life and my actions.
Whats'on in my head - I tried fight back the hate.
I am battling against hateful thoughts and emotions that are consuming me.
I look into the mirror - see the face of a mistake.
I feel like I am a failure and see myself as a disappointment.
Should I really be here, should I really exist?
I question my own existence and wonder if I have any meaning or purpose.
Should I take these drugs? Should I get so pissed?
I struggle with temptation and self-destructive impulses that could harm me.
I dedicate this to the tippler crew.
I raise a glass to those who drink and party.
Getting drunk, playing punk on the stylophone.
I enjoy getting drunk and playing loud, aggressive music.
The zone of coasters. coastin' far.
I am in a state of relaxation and leisure, taking things easy and not stressing.
Pissin' in a bottle while drivin' in the car.
I engage in reckless and careless behavior without regard for the consequences.
Lager lout rap, do you dig my niche?
I make music that glorifies drinking and parties, and I wonder if anyone appreciates it.
Toke' he tune off on the pipes of peace...
I relax and unwind with the help of drugs and music.
Cruff-neck scout you know we bought and about.
I am out and about, enjoying myself and exploring new things.
They major hope in a time o' deep doubt.
People cling to hope during difficult times even when everything else seems lost.
We's feelin' the feelin' of knowing the feeling and
We are aware and in tune with our emotions and are not afraid to express them.
Lovin' the feeling cuz it feels so crisp...
We enjoy the feeling of emotional clarity and honesty.
Posse on cue they'mouf{?} we jump an' twist
We are excited and energized by the music and the moment.
Each and every time we catch a style like this ...
We enjoy the music and the vibe it gives us every time.
Hither to ... bear witness. { tra la la la }
Come and see what is happening here.
To the Birth... { tra la la la }
We are witnessing the beginning of something new.
Of the Brute ...{ tra la la la }
We are witnessing the emergence of an untamed and savage entity.
And furthermore { tra la la la }
Moreover, there is more to see and understand here.
Of the brute { tra la la la }
We are still witnessing and experiencing the brute's emergence.
Sing .. brute away .. { tra la la la }
We are celebrating and participating in the birth of the brute.
Stone the Crows my hands {Aunts} stay giddy.
My hands are trembling with excitement and anticipation.
I dance with hippy chicks more madder than lizzy
I dance with free-spirited and unconventional women who are wilder than Elizabeth Taylor.
I could never understand all the hoorah fuss.
I am unable to comprehend why some things are considered important or significant.
Until my drink got spike with a spoon of moondust.
I became more attuned to my surroundings and the excitement of the moment after ingesting an unknown substance.
Dancin' into the night - into the day!
I am lost in the moment and enjoying the experience without regard for time or consequences.
Within my soul abhorred {aboard} the slow decay.
I am struggling with internal decay and dissolution, but I'm trying to keep moving forward regardless.
Singin' yippe-yie-yeay - tribal flashback
I am singing and caught up in the moment, feeling a sense of nostalgia and reminiscing about times past.
Back to square one - sound o' Drum.
I am returning to a simpler time and the sound of a drum signifies that.
The tongue of the book - the look of the crooked.
I am the embodiment of the book's teachings, even if I look and act unconventional.
Purple lord please - run come save me...
I am calling out to a higher power for help and salvation.
I don't wanna live until I'm dying to die.
I don't want to live a life devoid of passion and excitement until I'm ready to die.
My types o' heaven is a good clean supply.
I find happiness and bliss in clean and positive experiences.
Love for my tiddly-whack.
I have affection for my personal belongings and possessions.
Bliss for the todger. More jolly than roger.
I am happier than I have ever been, and feeling more alive than ever before.
With a wad of pink notes ... singin'
I have enough money to be carefree and sing my own tune.
One rums, two rums,three rums, four.
I am counting the drinks and enjoying myself, even if I have consumed a lot of alcohol.
Drink five rums and we fall on the floor.
If we keep drinking like this, we will eventually get too drunk to carry on.
{tra la la la } Hither to! Bear Witness ...
Come and witness what is happening here.
The brute! {tra la la la }
We are celebrating the brute and its emergence.
The birth of the brute .. {tra la la la }
We are witnessing the birth of a new and savage entity.
And furthermore {tra la la la }
Moreover, there is more to see and understand here.
The Brute .. shall stay .. Brutish!
The brute will remain wild and untamed, embodying savagery and primal energy.
Contributed by Henry B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Cesspit7
absolutely my fav song. from this guy
Confined Space
"I get vexed and want to beat the world with a pork chop" fucking brilliant, love this song definitely yes, yes and furthermore yes!
laurent daniel
BEST RAPPER EVER !! NO CONTEST !!!
Moe H.
12 now!! And still it holds solid ground.
magnus601
he's a genius!
Stephen Jackson
A Mercury wasn't enuff for this 33rpm.... pure class album. A and B.... sides .... brand new second hand was off radar but this album is quality ...... we fly from zone to zone.....
MNMALBOSH
BRUTALITY!
gdkeen
Yes, yes, and furthermore, yes.
AL b The Coach
This is a man who pour out his heart for Rap music in the U.K. Who are You all listening to in the U.K? heard of, Tony Banani ???
Mr Thusi
A prophet I would pray to... Mr Smith!!!
"Yes, yes and further more yes"