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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On The Beach
Sly & Robbie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the water was a picture on the wall
There were swimmers and surfers and joyful play
Then just one moment there's no-one there at all
I will always remember the forgotten beach
Just one moment no memory, two strangers embrace
I will remember the forgotten beach
Two strangers, no memory
But everything remains from that day
Under the lighthouse we were lost
On the beach in the sand at Byron Bay
I remember
I will always remember the forgotten beach
Just one moment no memory, two strangers embrace
I will remember the forgotten beach
Well the sand was our bedroom in Byron Bay
And the water was a picture on the wall
There were swimmers and surfers and joyful play
Just one moment there's no-one there at all
Under the lighthouse we were lost
On the beach in the sand at Byron Bay
Oh darling, I remember
I will always remember the forgotten
I will always remember the forgotten beach
Just one moment no memory, two strangers embrace
I will remember the forgotten
Two strangers, no memory
Oh darling, everything remains
Oh darling two people, two strangers
Back in time, oh darling
Remember the forgotten beach
The lyrics of Sly & Robbie's song "On The Beach" paint a vivid picture of a memorable experience at a beach, specifically in Byron Bay. The sand is portrayed as their bedroom, highlighting the intimacy and closeness they shared in this idyllic setting. The water is described as a picture on the wall, suggesting that it is a static backdrop to their dynamic and playful surroundings. The presence of swimmers and surfers adds to the joyful atmosphere, emphasizing the vibrant and lively nature of the beach.
However, the lyrics take a poignant turn when the singer mentions a sudden absence of people. In this fleeting moment, there is a sense of loneliness and isolation. It is possible that the memory of the beach holds significance for the singer because it acts as a fleeting moment of connection and intimacy with another person. The mention of two strangers embracing without any memory highlights the power of the moment itself, rather than the individuals involved. These aspects contribute to the idea of the beach being a forgotten place, but one that still holds deep meaning and impact on the singer's memory.
The repetition of the line "I will always remember the forgotten beach" serves as a refrain, emphasizing the indelible mark this experience has left on the singer's mind. Even though it may be forgotten by others, its significance remains ingrained in their memory. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing, capturing the fleeting beauty and intensity of a moment shared between two strangers.
Line by Line Meaning
The sand was our bedroom in Byron Bay
Our relationship was intimate and personal, like a bedroom, in the beautiful coastal town of Byron Bay.
And the water was a picture on the wall
The ocean, serene and distant, served as a tranquil backdrop to our love, just like a framed picture on a wall.
There were swimmers and surfers and joyful play
The beach was vibrant with people enjoying the water, engaging in water sports, and having carefree fun.
Then just one moment there's no-one there at all
Unexpectedly, in a fleeting moment, the beach becomes empty, devoid of any presence or activity.
I will always remember the forgotten beach
I will forever cherish the memory of this overlooked and disregarded beach, holding it close to my heart.
Just one moment no memory, two strangers embrace
In an instance where memories fade away, two unfamiliar individuals share an embrace filled with raw emotions.
Two strangers, no memory
Two people with no recollection of their past encounters or connection, existing as complete strangers.
But everything remains from that day
Despite the lack of memory, everything else from that significant day persists and lingers, shaping their present reality.
Under the lighthouse we were lost
In the presence of the lighthouse, we lost ourselves, consumed by the enchantment and mystery of the moment.
On the beach in the sand at Byron Bay
We found ourselves on the beach, leaving imprints in the sand of Byron Bay, a place that holds unforgettable memories.
I remember
Amidst the recollections, I still hold onto the fragments of our shared experiences and the emotions attached to them.
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Robbie James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind