Stubborn All-Stars are a New York City ska band led by King Django, front m… Read Full Bio ↴Stubborn All-Stars are a New York City ska band led by King Django, front man of Skinnerbox and owner of Stubborn Records.

By early 1994, Django's original ska roots began to tug at him, and he assembled Stubborn All-Stars for a studio session which resulted in the 4-song Old's Cool 7" EP. Choosing musicians very carefully from the large pool of New York ska bands such as Skinnerbox, The Insteps, The Slackers, The Scofflaws, and Agent 99, for their familiarity with and ability to play traditional Jamaican ska. Django hit upon the sound he was looking for: ska in a very traditional Jamaican style, reconnected with its own roots in American Rhythm & Blues.

They released their debut Open Season in September 1995, featuring guest appearances by Roland Alphonso of the Skatalites, Chris Dowd (ex-Fishbone), and Rob "Bucket" Hingley of the Toasters.

Their second album, Back With a New Batch, was released in 1997. The video for the single Pick Yourself Up, which featured guest vocals from members of the punk rock band Rancid, went into heavy rotation on MTV, and Alternative Press reviewed it as "the best reggae album of 1997".

Their third album, Nex Music, was released in 1999.

The band also collaborated with Rancid on the song 'I Wanna Riot' for the Beavis and Butt-Head Do America soundtrack.

Friend
Stubborn All-Stars Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Now that we've come to a parting of the ways
I hope tomorrow brings you forth to find brighter days
Those who live on, and those who may have passed
You've taught me one thing well: that nothing ever lasts

I'll always think of you my friend
Now that our days are at an end
Long they may have seemed

But short a memory

Overall Meaning

The Stubborn All-Stars' "Friend" is a melancholic song about the end of a friendship. It's sung from the perspective of someone who is about to part ways with a friend, and who wishes them well in their future endeavors. The lyrics express a certain sadness mixed with acceptance, as the singer acknowledges that nothing in life is permanent, and that all good things must come to an end.

The first verse sets the tone of the song, with the singer expressing their hope that the friend will find happiness and success in their future endeavors. The following lines, "Those who live on, and those who may have passed/ You've taught me one thing well: that nothing ever lasts," seem to imply that the friend may have gone through some tough times, and that the experience has taught the singer a valuable life lesson.

The chorus is the most haunting part of the song, with the singer pledging to always remember the friend, even though their time together has come to an end. The last line, "But short a memory," is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even though the friendship may have been brief, it has left a lasting impact on the singer.

Overall, "Friend" is a beautifully written song that captures the bittersweet nature of losing a friend. It's a reminder to cherish the people in our lives while we have them, and to take comfort in the memories that persist long after they're gone.

Line by Line Meaning

Now that we've come to a parting of the ways
As we say goodbye and go our separate ways

I hope tomorrow brings you forth to find brighter days
I wish for you to have a better future ahead

Those who live on, and those who may have passed
Both the living and the dead

You've taught me one thing well: that nothing ever lasts
Your influence has shown me that all things are temporary

I'll always think of you my friend
You will always be remembered as a friend

Now that our days are at an end
Our time together has come to a close

Long they may have seemed
It may have felt like a long time

But short a memory
In retrospect, the memories are brief

Contributed by Asher W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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