His … Read Full Bio ↴Slim Smith was born Keith Smith in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1948.
His recording career began in a group called The Techniques that recorded for Duke Reid amongst others. When the original Techniques disbanded in 1965 he formed The Uniques.
From 1969 he concentrated on his solo career, recording sides for Coxone Dodd's Studio One, ten of which were compiled for the album Born To Love. He then began a successful working relationship with Bunny Lee, scoring a hit with 'Everybody Needs Love'.
By the start of the 70s he was having mental problems, resulting in a stay in the Bellevue Mental Hospital. In 1973 he injured himself trying to get into his parents house and died of his wounds.
Watch This Sound
Slim Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
What a field-day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say, hooray for our side
It's s time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, now, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
Slim Smith's song "Watch This Sound" is a call to attention. The song addresses the social and political upheaval of the 1960s, a time characterized by protest and unrest. Smith suggests that there is something happening in society, but nobody is quite sure what it is. He speaks of a man with a gun warning him to beware, hinting at the government and authorities' oppressive presence in society. Smith then calls for a stop to the unrest, urging young people to stop speaking their minds and to look at the bigger picture. He suggests that if there are no clear sides or values, then there can be no real progress, and no one can be right.
Smith speaks of the heat, the police presence, in the next verse. He emphasizes how the protests are growing larger with a thousand people in the streets. The people are singing and carrying signs, affirming their positions in the push-and-pull of social unrest. The verses continue to illustrate the tension, the paranoia that strikes deep and affects every aspect of life as people fear for their safety and liberty. Yet despite this fear, Smith insists that people must continue to look and listen, to identify what is happening and find a way to stop it.
Overall, "Watch This Sound" is a poignant reminder of the power of words, protest, and social justice movements. Smith's lyrics highlight the need for communication, self-reflection, and a critical view of the current state of society. He suggests that only by understanding the various forces in play can people effect real change and progress towards a fairer, more just world.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something happening here
Something unusual is happening and it's creating a feeling of unease and uncertainty.
What it is ain't exactly clear
The situation is unclear or not fully understood.
There's a man with a gun over there
There is a person with a firearm that is causing concern or fear.
Telling me I got to beware
The person with the gun is cautioning others to be careful or watchful.
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
It's time for us to pay attention and stop what we're doing to listen carefully to the sound we hear.
Everybody look what's going down
Everyone should observe and try to understand what is happening around them.
There's battle lines being drawn
Groups are starting to take sides in a conflict or disagreement.
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
If everyone is so convinced they're right, they may be making matters worse.
Young people speaking their minds
The youth are speaking out and sharing their opinions boldly.
Getting so much resistance from behind
They are being met with a lot of pushback or opposition from those who disagree.
It's time we stop, hey, what's that sound
Once again, it's time to pause and pay attention to what's happening around us.
What a field-day for the heat
The police or authorities are having a great time arresting people and controlling the situation.
A thousand people in the street
A large crowd has gathered and is making their voices heard.
Singing songs and carrying signs
They are expressing themselves through music and visual statements.
Mostly say, hooray for our side
The signs and songs are mainly in support of one particular group or viewpoint.
Paranoia strikes deep
People are becoming increasingly afraid and suspicious of one another.
Into your life it will creep
This paranoia can slowly start to take over someone's thoughts and feelings.
It starts when you're always afraid
The feeling of paranoia can begin when a person is constantly anxious or fearful.
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
If you do something that is seen as breaking the rules or contrary to the government's wishes, you may be punished or arrested.
We better stop, hey, what's that sound
The singer is once again urging everyone to pay attention to what's happening and to try and make sense of it.
Stop, now, what's that sound
A final plea to stop and listen closely to the noises around us that could be a signal of something brewing.
Everybody look what's going down
One last reminder that it is important to stay aware of our surroundings and what is happening so as to be safe and knowledgeable.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Stephen Stills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
vonderassen
Never heard of Slim Smith before, although im great fan of real jamaican music, reggae, rocksteady, ska and dub. But now Slim Smith become a member in my personal "Reggae Hall of Fame". If you like Slim Smith try also: - Prince Buster - Derrick Morgan - Delroy Wilson - Desmond Dekker - Toots & The Maytals - The Gladiators Reggae all over the world - greetings from Germany ;-)
Jamie Simms
Just saw your comment, check out Stranger Cole, Pat Kelly and the one and only Alton Ellis
audley mclean
vonderassen... He died very young, that's possible why you did know about him, in fact he was the first Jamaican singer I heard of his death, BUT HE WAS DAMN GOOD if he had lived long enough, he would be among the very best..
SuperReasonabledoubt
Dance anthem..fire from a chopper salute
Annie M Moore
💣💣
Edwin Rivera
Classic
Michael Fabulous
I been ask to do a remake of this song. It's a great song great artist got to come Good Lol
NoodyHolder
to be clear... Winston Lowe prod, Tramp stuff... by the way... top tune!
Yves Herzog
NoodyHolde
jammingcharlie
@vonderassen MAN ! you cant be a real fan if you dont know slim smith