Myton had previously been a member of The Tartans in the late 1960s (along with Prince Lincoln Thompson, Devon Russell and Lindburgh Lewis), and Ras Michael's group, and had recorded with Thompson's Royal Rasses in the mid-1970s. He formed the Congos, initially as a duo with Johnson, recording the single "At the Feast" for Lee "Scratch" Perry. Perry expanded the group to a trio with the addition of Burnett, this line-up recording the classic roots reggae album Heart of the Congos in 1977 at Perry's Black Ark studio. The album featured illustrious backing singers such as Gregory Isaacs, The Meditations, and Barry LLewellyn and Earl Morgan of The Heptones. The album has been described as "the most consistently brilliant album of Scratch's entire career".
Perry's previous productions by Max Romeo and Junior Murvin had been huge commercial successes thanks to a deal with Island Records, but Perry was in dispute with Island at the time the Congos' album was finished, so it was released on his own Black Ark label, limiting its success overseas, and causing a rift with the group. The Congos went their own way, organising a limited pressing of the album themselves. United Kingdom label Go Feet eventually reissued the album in 1980, and although the group had recorded new material since leaving Perry, Heart of the Congos proved a hard act to follow and their other releases suffered as a consequence. Albums such as Congo Ashanti were sparser and sounded ordinary compared to Perry's kitchen-sink-and-all massive productions.
Burnett quit the group, soon followed by Johnson, who embarked on a solo career. Myton continued to record as The Congos with various other musicians until the mid-1980s.
In the mid-1990s, The Congos reformed, with Myton and Burnett joined by Lindburgh Lewis, several albums following in subsequent years. In 2005 Myton recorded Give Them the Rights with a host of backup singers and star session players such as Sly and Robbie and Earl "Chinna" Smith, very much in the spiritual 70s roots vein. In 2006, the UK reggae revival label Blood and Fire released the album Fisherman Style featuring a remixed version of the classic cut "Fisherman" from Heart of the Congos plus such legends as Horace Andy, Big Youth, Dillinger, Prince Jazzbo, Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Max Romeo, Mykal Rose, Dean Fraser, Sugar Minott, and U-Roy doing their own new versions over the original rhythm.
In 2002, they appeared on the album The Slackers and Friends by the ska/reggae band The Slackers.
In 2008, The Congos appeared in the independent feature film, Wah Do Dem which captures them performing "Fisherman," and "Congoman Chant," under a full moon at Helshire Beach outside Kingston.
In 2009, Myton, Burnett, and Johnson reunited with Perry to record the album Back in the Black Ark, which, despite its title, was recorded at Myton's studio in Portmore and at Mixing Lab, Kingston.
Solid Foundation
The Congos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
2
Fly (Through The Starry Night)
Come on lift your head high
Reaching out for the sky
Spread your wings out and fly right through the starry night
You're unique, you're o.k.
Never must be afraid
Through the starry night. (2x)
Move as I groove on.
Now put your dancing shoes on.
It's time to realize you can rise to the top.
Now don't you ever stop.
Sometimes in live when you feel like giving up.
You got to keep your head up.
Be the best you can.
Strive in your live to make a masterplan.
Here I am here I am bam.
Positive vibes for the mind so slam.
All the negativity around you end me.
Feel free mentally.
Break the chain holding you down.
To the ground turn up the sound.
Here it is if you wanna try.
Keep your head up and reach for the sky.
(chorus)
Right through the starry night. (2x)
Through the starry night.
Feel the vibe moving your mind.
Feel the vibe always on time.
Elevate you got what it takes.
Elevate it's not too late.
I got the remedy just follow me.
Fly high with no XTC.
It's real and natural.
You feel good like I know you would.
Knock, knock, knock who is it.
R.O.C.K. the lyrical wizard.
Get ready to fly with me.
To a place with mysteries.
Close your eyes, let yourself go.
Don't be afraid cause you got to know.
Here it is you wanna try.
Keep your head up and reach for the sky.
(chorus)
Right through the starry night. (4x)
The Congos’ song “Solid Foundation” is a celebration of individuality and self-discovery. The opening line of the song, “2 Brothers On The 4th Floor” serves as a call to action for listeners to lift their heads high and reach for the sky, encouraging them to embrace their unique qualities and never be afraid to be themselves. The lyrics encourage listeners to strive for the best they can be and to always keep moving forward in life.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of perseverance, urging listeners to keep pushing through even when they feel like giving up. This sentiment is echoed throughout the entire song as a reminder that even when life feels hard, there is always a way to overcome challenges and rise to the top.
The song’s upbeat tempo and positive message make it an anthem for self-empowerment and resilience. The lyrics encourage listeners to break free from negative thoughts and to focus on the possibilities and opportunities in front of them.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on lift your head high
Encouragement to lift one's head up and face life with confidence
Reaching out for the sky
Encouragement to aim for one's highest aspirations
Spread your wings out and fly right through the starry night
Encouragement to take flight and pursue one's dreams fearlessly
You're unique, you're o.k.
Affirmation of individuality and self-worth
Never must be afraid
Encouragement to overcome fear and take risks
Through the starry night. (2x)
Repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the message of taking flight towards one's dreams
It's time to realize you can rise to the top.
Encouragement to recognize one's potential for success
Now don't you ever stop.
Encouragement to persist in pursuing one's goals
Sometimes in live when you feel like giving up.
Acknowledgement of the challenges and difficulties in life
You got to keep your head up.
Encouragement to stay positive and optimistic
Be the best you can.
Encouragement to strive for excellence
Strive in your live to make a masterplan.
Encouragement to set goals and make a plan to achieve them
Here I am here I am bam.
Expression of confidence and self-assurance
Positive vibes for the mind so slam.
Encouragement to embrace positivity and reject negativity
All the negativity around you end me.
Encouragement to distance oneself from negative influences
Feel free mentally.
Encouragement to achieve mental freedom and clarity
Break the chain holding you down.
Encouragement to break free from limiting beliefs and habits
To the ground turn up the sound.
Encouragement to enjoy life to the fullest
Feel the vibe moving your mind.
Encouragement to embrace positive energy and emotions
Elevate you got what it takes.
Affirmation of one's abilities and potential
Elevate it's not too late.
Encouragement to pursue personal growth and development
I got the remedy just follow me.
Expression of guidance and support
Fly high with no XTC.
Encouragement to achieve a natural and healthy state of mind and being
It's real and natural.
Affirmation of the value of authenticity and genuineness
Knock, knock, knock who is it.
Playful and lighthearted expression
R.O.C.K. the lyrical wizard.
Expression of musical prowess
Get ready to fly with me.
Encouragement to join in the pursuit of personal growth
To a place with mysteries.
Expression of adventure and intrigue
Close your eyes, let yourself go.
Encouragement to let go of inhibitions and embrace new experiences
Don't be afraid cause you got to know.
Encouragement to overcome fear and embrace new opportunities
Right through the starry night. (4x)
Repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the message of taking flight towards one's dreams
Writer(s): Cedric Myton, Roydel Johnson
Contributed by Kaitlyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ali Wolf
We are living on Jah solid foundation
(I and I are solid as a rock)
We are living on Jah solid foundation
(I and I are solid as a rock)
So, don't matter what the people of today say
(I and I still a praise Jah)
I and I holding onto Jah
(I and I still a praise Jah)
In my Father's house, yeah (aah, aah)
There are many mansions
If it wasn't so
I wouldn't tell it to my brethrens
'Cause them no know Jah (no know)
No know Jah (no know)
Jah Dread the Conquering Lion of Judah
Them no know Jah (no know)
No know Jah (no know)
Jah Dread the Conquering Lion of Judah
(..)
In my Father's house, yeah (aah, aah)
There are many mansions
If it wasn't so
I wouldn't tell it to my brethrens
'Cause them no know Jah (no know)
No know Jah (no know)
Jah Dread the Conquering Lion of Judah
Them no know Jah (no know)
No know Jah (no know)
Jah Dread the Conquering Lion of Judah
Them no know Jah (no know)
No know Jah (no know)
Jah Dread the Conquering Lion of Judah
Robert Williamson
ill never get over how great this album is, almost makes me sad how hard it is to find this kind of soul today.
DANILO TIBERIO
Esse som e top demais 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Jomo Kariuki
wow, this is one of the greatest songs I have ever heard. Ever
William Coolman
This tune is massive, If it wasn't so, I wouldn't tell it to my bredren.
costa sousa
Só no Maranhão a gente curte uma pedra dessa coladiho
sundog
from one of the most beautiful albums ever recorded :) bless you all
heavyboxes
God, this is one of the most perfect things ever recorded. I can't get over it even after listening to it a million times. Best vocal work ever.
Carmine della Rocca
I KNOW! RIGHT?
duncan maclachlan
one of the sweetest perry produced songs and one of the best congos track where full use of their harmonies are put to work.thanks
Damalgam
I wanted to cry when I found this song. ( tears of joy) Jah bless all connected to the tree. Jah is the roots.