In 2004, the Aggrolites released their debut album, Dirty Reggae, on local reggae label Axe Records. The album was recorded at Signet Studios in Los Angeles within one day, and each track was recorded in one take, with many lyrics improvised on the spot. In November 2004, the Aggrolites were featured on Hellcat Records compilation Give 'Em the Boot IV, and were officially signed to Hellcat in October 2005.
Their 2nd, Self-titled album The Aggrolites was released on the independent label Hellcat/Epitaph on May 9, 2006.. This sophomore album boasts 19 dirty reggae songs, including "Countryman Fiddle," and "Mr. Misery."
They released their 3rd album on June 5, 2007 called Reggae Hit L.A., which won an IGN award for Best Reggae Album of 2007.
The Aggrolites made an appearance on the Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba!, created by Christian Jacobs, lead singer of The Aquabats. Recorded their third song for the show "Animal Sounds", it aired during the debut week of season two.
Their 4th full-length album, aptly named IV (Hellcat Records), was released on June 9, 2009. IV debuted at #110 and peaked at #60 on the Top 200 CMJ Chart. IV also debuted at #37 on the Triple A CMJ Chart and #12 on the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Commercial Alternative Specialty Show Album Chart.
Their newest album Rugged Road is set to be released on March 22, 2011.
www.aggroreggae.com
also check out " the bullets" a powerhouse of musicians that roger rivas brought together to do a lil something they call reggae with chicano soul .
Time To Get Tough
The Aggrolites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there is only one thing that I need to know
Is it going to make me a better man
Or bring it on, so I can go
And if you plan on leaving
Don't make it so soon
'Cuz I'm only gonna make it
'Cuz aint want to give up baby
It just ain't my style
Will you try
To realize
The goal is set right where I want it to be
Ain't goin' stop
Till I reach that spot
Someday I'm going to make you see
And if you plan on dreaming
Better move right on
'cuz you just read me wrong
'cuz I ain't going a make believing
Think of what I need to do all day long
So understand what a man says
When he's got something strong
And he isn't gonna let something get in his way
Got a lot to do for tomorrow
But I'm a whole lot further than I was yesterday
[organ riff]
[Time to get tough now]
I know what you thinking
Because you ain't the first to preach to me about that backup plan
[Time to get tough now]
I'm only going to say it once
I don't care of that if you don't understand
[Time to get tough now]
'Cuz my time is running short
And I'm not afraid beat...(unknown)
[Time to get tough now]
I'd rather get my dream on
Than work that back plan
That's just gonna waste my time
The Aggrolites's song "Time To Get Tough" talks about determination, resilience, and the willingness to overcome life's difficulties. It's a call-to-action to stand firm in the face of adversity and not to give up easily. The song starts with a situation of life getting tougher, and the singer is left with one thing to consider: Will the situation make him a better man, or should he leave? Here, the songwriter is putting emphasis on the importance of patience and perseverance in the face of challenges. He wants to hold on without quitting and see the issue through to fruition. The theme of the song revolves around the idea that we can only grow when faced with challenges and adversities, and we should embrace them instead of running from them.
The singer then makes it clear that if someone plans on leaving, they shouldn't do it too soon. He insists that he wants to make it worth their while, but he cannot give up. He encourages them to understand that sometimes we say things when we feel strongly about them, and we are not going to back down from our goals. The writer uses the phrase, "It just ain't my style," to suggest that giving up is not the way to go, and he would prefer to see things through to the end.
The chorus is a call-to-action, urging the listener to be strong and focused, to follow their dream, and not to settle for a backup plan that will waste time. The organ riff accompanying the song creates a jazzy and exciting vibe suitable for the message the song is conveying.
Fact 1: The Aggrolites first released "Time To Get Tough" in their 2009 EP, "The Aggrolites Present... Jesse Wagner in Tribute To The Reggae Legends."
Fact 2: The song was later included in the 2011 studio album, "Rugged Road."
Fact 3: The Aggrolites are a band from the United States that combine different genres like Reggae, Soul, Funk, and Ska.
Fact 4: The group formed in 2002 and has released six studio albums and several EPs.
Fact 5: The band has worked with veterans in the music industry like Tim Armstrong, Mike Ness, and members of Rancid.
Fact 6: The group's sound has earned them the label "Dirty Reggae," a term coined by Tim Armstrong.
Fact 7: The Aggrolites have toured extensively around the world, including North America, Europe, and Japan.
Fact 8: Guitarist Brian Dixon and bassist J Bonner were previously members of the California ska band, Hepcat, who had their time in the spotlight during the Third Wave of Ska in the 1990s.
Fact 9: "Time To Get Tough" is an ode to classic Jamaican rocksteady, ska, and reggae music, showcasing the band's versatility and classic sound.
Fact 10: "Time To Get Tough" highlights the band's expertise in writing catchy hooks and melodies while staying true to their traditional roots style.
Chords:
Unfortunately, we cannot provide the chords as they are not available online.
Line by Line Meaning
Times are getting tough now
I am facing challenges in life right now
And there is only one thing that I need to know
I only need to know if my struggles will help me improve or make me quit
Is it going to make me a better man
Will this test make me a better version of myself?
Or bring it on, so I can go
Or will it defeat me and make me give up?
And if you plan on leaving
If you plan on quitting or leaving me
Don't make it so soon
Please don't do it abruptly
'Cuz I'm only gonna make it
I will succeed, and
Worth your while
I will make it worthwhile
'Cuz aint want to give up baby
I never give up
It just ain't my style
It's not in my nature to quit
Will you try
Will you consider
To realize
To understand
The goal is set right where I want it to be
I have set my target and won't settle for less
Ain't goin' stop
I won't stop
Till I reach that spot
Until I achieve that target
Someday I'm going to make you see
One day, you will see my success
And if you plan on dreaming
If you only want to dream and not work towards your goals
Better move right on
better move on
'cuz you just read me wrong
You don't know me
'cuz I ain't going a make believing
I won't just imagine a better life for myself
Think of what I need to do all day long
I am busy working hard towards my dreams all day long
So understand what a man says
Listen and understand what I'm saying
When he's got something strong
When he's confident in himself and what he wants
And he isn't gonna let something get in his way
And he won't allow obstacles to hinder him
Got a lot to do for tomorrow
I have a lot of work to do for tomorrow
But I'm a whole lot further than I was yesterday
I'm proud of my progress even if it's small
'Cuz my time is running short
Because my time is limited
And I'm not afraid beat...(unknown)
And I'm not afraid to fight and win
I know what you thinking
I know what you're thinking
Because you ain't the first to preach to me about that backup plan
Because you're not the first to advise me to have a backup plan
I'm only going to say it once
I'll only say this once
I don't care of that if you don't understand
I don't care if you don't get it
And I'm not afraid beat...(unknown)
And I'm not scared to overcome my problems
I'd rather get my dream on
I prefer pursuing my dreams instead of settling for a backup plan
Than work that back plan
Rather than work on a backup plan
That's just gonna waste my time
That will only waste my time
Contributed by Grace C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mopey
This song IS summertime! When the sun is shining, I'm kicking feet to this.
Double Stufffed
I used those exact words the other day while reggae summertime was on. With a cold on in my hand and the grill on.
ARES GaddaWar
This song goes so hard!