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.
Yoyo
The Congos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
he have no sorrows for tomorrow
who knows who knows what
he knows
who knows who knows where he goes
see the dreadlocks in his
onion bag
he`s a highest esteem
he`a man of his own
see the dreadlock`s playng yoyo
he have no troubles for tomorrow
who knows who knows what
he knows
see the dreadlocks in his
onion bag
don´t try to belitle him
he`s in sacloth and ashes
history repeats itself again
hail the dread upon the the hill
and the dread upon the flat
they are one
they are one
they are one
this is the genaration of man
that seek thy faith oh jah man
oh jah man
The Congos's song Yoyo is a reggae track that speaks to the societal ostracization of those who live outside the normative structures of society. The 'dreadlocks playing yoyo' symbolize those who are often relegated to the fringes of society because of their appearance or beliefs. Yet, despite being marginalized, these individuals have "no sorrows for tomorrow" and "no troubles for tomorrow." They have a sense of independence and self-sufficiency that allows them to navigate their lives on their own terms.
The refrain "who knows who knows what, he knows" emphasizes the idea that these individuals have a different way of existing and understanding the world than those who live inside society's conventions. They operate according to their own internal compass, and while others may try to belittle or demean them, they are "men of their own." The song also references the historical and cultural significance of the Rastafari movement, which has been long associated with the reggae genre.
One interesting fact about Yoyo is that it was produced by the legendary Lee "Scratch" Perry, a Jamaican producer who had a significant influence on reggae and dub music in the 1970s. The song was released on the seminal reggae label Island Records in 1977 and was one of The Congos's most popular tracks. Additionally, Yoyo was included on the soundtrack to the documentary film Rockers, which highlighted the reggae scene in Jamaica.
Line by Line Meaning
see the dreadloks playing yoyo
Observing the rastafarian man play with his toy
he have no sorrows for tomorrow
He is not worried about the future
who knows who knows what
It's uncertain what consequences may come
he knows
The dreadlock man understands
see the dreadlocks in his onion bag
Observing the man amongst his possessions
don´t try to belitle him
Do not attempt to demean him
he`s a highest esteem
The man has great respect for himself
he's a man of his own
The man is independent and authentic
he have no troubles for tomorrow
He is not concerned about future challenges
see the dreadlocks in his onion bag
Observing the man's belongings again
don´t try to belitle him
Do not try to make him feel inferior
he`s in sacloth and ashes
He is humble and modest
history repeats itself again
Past events seem to be happening once more
hail the dread upon the the hill
Show respect to the rastafarian man on the mountain
and the dread upon the flat
Show respect to the rastafarian man on the plain
they are one
Though they are geographically separated, they share the same values and beliefs
they are one
Reiterating that despite the physical distance, they are united as one
this is the genaration of man that seek thy faith oh jah man
This current generation of people is searching for spiritual guidance from Jah
oh jah man
An exclamation seeking guidance and wisdom from Jah
Contributed by Nolan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.