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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Satisfaction
Sly & Robbie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it's only but a fraction
All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction
People to see, even me
Man with a little got more of a plea
He's cryin', I don't know
Time at last, laws to pass
Can't be a few got to be a mass
A-tryin' got to go
Bigger crowd, feelin' proud
And all of a sudden I'm singin' loud
Applyin', oh, what I know
Feel the game, not a pain
Ain't nobody in a strain
Defyin' oh, 'cause they know
All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction
All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction
Now I know what to do
No more sellin' me to you
Buyin' that's a no, no, no
Mother with is what you get
Tryin' to have the most of it
Am I livin'? I don't know
Ask yourself how you feel
Are you really feelin' real?
What you say? I don't know
All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction
All we need is little action
If it's only but a fraction
I see abuse, what's the use?
Time must let my people loose
'Cause we tryin', I don't know
Much to learn, a place to turn
When there's nothin' else to burn
Replyin' oh, I think I know
Nothin' in the way, but another day
And we're gonna push it on out the way
'Cause we're doin' oh, what we know
All we need is little action
(What I say)
If it's only but a fraction
(I don't know)
All we need is little action
(What you say)
If it's only but a fraction
(You don't know)
All we need is little action
(What I say)
If it's only but a fraction
(Oh, we don't know)
All we need is little action
(What I say, we don't know)
If it's only but a fraction
The lyrics of Sly & Robbie's song "Satisfaction" convey a sense of yearning for change and action. The repeated line, "All we need is little action, if it's only but a fraction," suggests that even a small amount of action can make a difference in bringing about the desired satisfaction and change. The song highlights the desire for people to be seen and acknowledged, particularly those who may have less but still have pleas that deserve attention. The lyrics touch upon themes of inequality, the need for societal transformation, and the importance of individual and collective action.
The verses depict a search for meaning and purpose, emphasizing the need to break through the obstacles that hinder progress. The lines about "feeling proud" and singing loud reflect a growing sense of empowerment and determination. The lyrics also prompt self-reflection, urging listeners to question their own feelings and whether they are truly experiencing authenticity.
Overall, "Satisfaction" encourages listeners to recognize the power they have within themselves to bring about change, emphasizing that even a small action can have a substantial impact.
Line by Line Meaning
All we need is little action
We only require a small amount of movement or effort
If it's only but a fraction
Even if it's just a tiny part or portion
People to see, even me
I need to interact with others, including myself
Man with a little got more of a plea
Someone who has a little has a stronger request or desire
He's cryin', I don't know
He is expressing his emotions, but I'm uncertain about the reason
Time at last, laws to pass
Finally, it's time to enact new laws
Can't be a few got to be a mass
It can't be just a few, there needs to be a large number
A-tryin' got to go
We must continue trying and moving forward
Bigger crowd, feelin' proud
With a larger group of people, a sense of pride emerges
And all of a sudden I'm singin' loud
Suddenly, I find myself singing loudly
Applyin', oh, what I know
Applying the knowledge and skills I possess
Feel the game, not a pain
Experience the joy of being involved, rather than feeling pain
Ain't nobody in a strain
No one is under excessive stress or pressure
Defyin' oh, 'cause they know
Resisting and defying expectations because they understand
Now I know what to do
I now have a clear understanding of what actions to take
No more sellin' me to you
I won't allow myself to be used or exploited anymore
Buyin' that's a no, no, no
I won't be purchasing or believing that anymore
Mother with is what you get
You receive what you put in or give out, like a mother
Tryin' to have the most of it
Striving to make the most out of the situation
Am I livin'? I don't know
I'm uncertain if I'm truly living or just existing
Ask yourself how you feel
Reflect on your own emotions and state of being
Are you really feelin' real?
Do you genuinely feel alive and authentic?
What you say? I don't know
I'm unsure about your response or opinion
I see abuse, what's the use?
Observing mistreatment, questioning its purpose
Time must let my people loose
It's time to free my community from oppression
'Cause we tryin', I don't know
Because we are making an effort, but I'm not certain
Much to learn, a place to turn
There is still a lot to learn, a source to seek guidance
When there's nothin' else to burn
When there are no more options or resources to utilize
Replyin' oh, I think I know
Responding with uncertainty, but having some understanding
Nothin' in the way, but another day
There are no obstacles present, only another day ahead
And we're gonna push it on out the way
We will overcome and eliminate anything blocking our path
'Cause we're doin' oh, what we know
Because we are doing what we are familiar with
All we need is little action (What I say)
We just require a small amount of movement or effort
If it's only but a fraction (I don't know)
Even if it's just a tiny part or portion, I'm uncertain
All we need is little action (What you say)
We simply need a small amount of movement or effort
If it's only but a fraction (You don't know)
Even if it's just a tiny part or portion, you are uncertain
All we need is little action (What I say)
We only require a small amount of movement or effort
If it's only but a fraction (Oh, we don't know)
Even if it's just a tiny part or portion, we are uncertain
All we need is little action (What I say, we don't know)
We simply need a small amount of movement or effort, but we are uncertain
If it's only but a fraction
Even if it's just a tiny part or portion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sylvester Stewart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind