Before joining forces, Sly was drumming for the Skin Flesh and Bones band and Robbie was the bass player for the Aggrovators. They also used to play in clubs (Sly at Tit for Tat and Robbie at Evil People), and used to check each other out. They found out that they had the same ideas about music in general (both are huge fans of Motown, Philly Sound and Country & Western, in addition to Jamaican legendary labels Studio One and Treasure Isle), and Reggae production in particular. They first worked together for the newly created Channel One label and studio, operated by the Hoo Kim brothers.
They changed the face of Reggae several times: in 1976, they introduced a harder beat called "Rockers", which quickly replaced the then prevalent "One drop" style, then introduced the "rub a dub" sound in the early 1980s. Sly and Robbie were important in developing the trend towards computer assisted music and programmming in the mid 1980s.
Also in the early 1990s they introduced a novel sound with the hits "Bam Bam" and "Murder She Wrote" by Chaka Demus & Pliers. Chaka Demus' rough DJ vocals were matched with Pliers' sweet, melodic, soul-influenced singing; this unusal vocal pairing was championed by Sly and Robbie. This formula has since been used with great success by the likes of Shaggy (who teamed up with singers Rayvon or Rik Rok), Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest and others. This predates and may have influenced the recent trend in some rap music where a song's "hook" or chorus is sung by a guest, while the verses are rapped.
Sly & Robbie continued to innovate during the 1990s and early 2000s, fusing Dancehall and Latin music sounds (La Trenggae) or Dancehall and hip hop/R&B (their 2004 Big Up riddim). In 2001, their "Strip to the Bone" album paired them with electro producer Howie B, and together they explored new dub territories.
Far from restricting themselves to the Jamaican scene, (in which they have played for virtually every prominent Jamaican musical artist from Beenie Man to Sean Paul to Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown and others), they have been one of pop music's most sought after rhythm sections, playing for and producing superstars such as Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones, Grace Jones, Joan Armatrading, Gilberto Gil, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg, Simply Red, Michael Franti, Sting, Khaled, Tricky, Doug E. Fresh, Carlos Santana, Sinéad O'Connor, and many more.
They have produced No Doubt's hits 'Hey Baby' and 'Underneath it All'. They also produced some tracks off Suggs first album 'The Lone Ranger' including the hit version of Cecilia featuring Louchie Lou and Michie One which sold over 500,000 copies in the UK alone.
After 30 years together, they still tour and record relentlessly. Their last US tour was with Tony Rebel and Half Pint, during the Spring of 2005. During the Summer of 2005, they toured Europe and the UK with Bunny Rugs, lead singer for Third World. During the Fall of 2005 they were on the road with Sinéad O'Connor and in August 2006, they appeared with Don Carlos at the Reggae on the River Festival, while they backed Cherine and Queen Ifrica in 2007 and early 2008.
They have produced several new Jamaican artists for their TAXI label, including Kibaki, Mynimoo and Zennlocc, as well as confirmed superstars such as Elephant Man. They have also recorded with their original group, the Revolutionaries, to produce Horace Andy's new album "Livin' it up" (2007). They recently signed the lovers rock sensation Bitty McLean to their TAXI label and are planning to release "MOVIN' ON", Bitty's new album, during 2008.
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Never Let You Go
Sly & Robbie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't even remember what we s'posed to be but
I ain't got time for this shit
I don't look back on it
I cannot hold you now
Still haven't figured it out but
The thought of losing you still scares me
Still look at the pictures of these memories
So tell me, before I let you go
Say something, wait for me
Girl I need to know
Will you be there? Do you even care?
So say it, before I let you go
I've been holding on for way too long
Yeah girl I need to know
Say something, wait for me
Yeah, before I let you go
Trying to fix my toxic state of mind
My therapist says that I'm doing alright
I'm still sick at the thought of you
I want it back like we used to do
You hit up my number and I call her up
Like I always do
Tell me how you're feeling
Tell me all your problems
Tell me how you're healing
I will stay cautious, 'cause
I know that you're breaking my heart
Don't even try to start
I know I'll be calling you up
Sending you texts at two in the morning
Say something, wait for me
Girl I need to know
Will you be there? Do you even care?
So say it, before I let you go
I've been holding on for way too long
Yeah girl I need to know
Say something, wait for me
Yeah, before I let you
Go go go, go go
Go go go, go go
Go go go
Before I let you
Go go go, go go
Go go go, go go
Go go go
Before I let you go
Say something, wait for me
Girl I need to know
Will you be there? Do you even care?
So say it, before I let you go
Before I let you go
Before I let you go
The lyrics to Sly & Robbie's song "Never Let You Go" revolve around the singer's feelings of confusion, fear, and longing in a relationship. The song begins with the singer recounting a moment when they saw the person they are singing about and became immobilized. They admit to not fully understanding the situation but emphasize that they don't have time for uncertainty. Despite not knowing all the answers, the thought of losing this person still scares them. They express a need for reassurance and ask the person to say something before they let them go.
The second verse delves into the singer's internal struggles. They admit to having a toxic state of mind and seeking therapy to cope with it. Despite the progress they have made, they still feel sick thinking about the person they are longing for and desperately want their relationship to go back to the way it used to be. They mention a pattern of communication, where the person reaches out and they always respond, indicating their continued attachment.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of emotional turmoil and uncertainty in a relationship. The singer is grappling with their own feelings and desperately seeks clarity and reassurance from the other person. They acknowledge the potential for heartbreak but are still willing to reach out and hold on.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw you standing there and it froze me
When I saw you standing there, it paralyzed me with unexpected emotions
Can't even remember what we s'posed to be but
I can't recall the initial purpose or nature of our relationship
I ain't got time for this shit
I am unwilling to invest my time and energy into this situation
I don't look back on it
I refuse to dwell on the past or reminisce about it
I cannot hold you now
I am unable to embrace you physically or emotionally at this moment
Still haven't figured it out but
I am still grappling with understanding the complexities of our relationship
The thought of losing you still scares me
The mere thought of losing you continues to evoke fear within me
Can't do it on my own, need therapy
I cannot navigate through this alone, I require professional guidance to overcome my emotional struggles
Still look at the pictures of these memories
I still find myself gazing at the photographs, reminiscing about the moments we shared
So tell me, before I let you go
Therefore, I implore you to express your thoughts before I make the decision to move on from this relationship
Say something, wait for me
Share your emotions, allow me a moment to process and understand
Girl I need to know
My dear, it is imperative for me to be aware
Will you be there? Do you even care?
Are you willing to be present? Do you genuinely show concern?
I've been holding on for way too long
I have been clinging onto this connection for an extended period of time
Yeah girl I need to know
Yes, my dear, it is crucial for me to have clarity
Trying to fix my toxic state of mind
I am making efforts to rectify my unhealthy mental state
My therapist says that I'm doing alright
My therapist affirms that I am progressing satisfactorily
I'm still sick at the thought of you
I am still deeply affected by the idea of you
I want it back like we used to do
I desire to regain what we once had and relive those experiences
You hit up my number and I call her up
You contact me by messaging or calling my phone, and in response, I call you
Like I always do
As I consistently do in such situations
Tell me how you're feeling
Communicate your emotions to me
Tell me all your problems
Share with me all the difficulties you are facing
Tell me how you're healing
Inform me about your progress in recovering and finding solace
I will stay cautious, 'cause
I will remain cautious and guarded because
I know that you're breaking my heart
I am aware that you are causing emotional pain and distress to me
Don't even try to start
Do not even attempt to initiate or begin something anew
I know I'll be calling you up
I recognize that I will still reach out to contact you
Sending you texts at two in the morning
Sending you messages during the early hours of the morning
Before I let you
Prior to the moment when I allow you
Go go go, go go
To depart swiftly, urgently
Go go go, go go
To move away rapidly, quickly
Go go go
To exit, to leave immediately
Before I let you go
Prior to me granting you permission to leave
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Robert Nolan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind