Having left Coxsone the Ethiopians started recording at Dynamic Studios for the W.I.R.L. label releasing one of the all-time ska classics, the exhuberant 'Train to Skaville', which was their first success. In 1968 they recorded the song Everything Crash, their first big hit and a cry of criticism on the political situation in Jamaica at the time (water rationing and power cuts had been introduced leading to unrest, 31 people were shot by the police). Everything Crash was later covered by Prince Buster. 'The Whip' is another of their enduring songs from that period.
In 1969 they released the album Reggae Power and in 1970 the album Woman a Capture Man. In the period '70 - '75 the Ethiopians switched from producer to producer releasing several great songs like, no baptism, pirate and good ambition. In 1975 Stephen Taylor died in a car crash, Leonard Dillon continued to tour as the Ethiopian. In 1991 he recorded the album "On The Road Again".
There is also another band under the name as "ETHIOPIANS." They are a lo-fi band with a mix of garage rock and surf creating a unique atmospheric sound. Members of ETHIOPIANS are Marty Brass and Paul Ryan.
Owe Me No Pay Me
The Ethiopians Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I cant get no better than you, because you done it already
I am not following when you are missed, because you done it already
But if you cant take it my friend, you got to leave it
And if you cant stay off the rip
You got to move it
You got to live it alone, because you done it already
Owe me no pay me
You owe me no pay me
You owe me no pay me
You owe me no pay me
I want it
Give me...
The lyrics to The Ethiopians' Owe Me No Pay Me explore the themes of resilience and self-reliance in the face of adversity. The singer acknowledges that they cannot do better than their partner, as the partner has already accomplished what the singer is striving for. The singer emphasizes that they are not dependent on their partner's presence, as they have already achieved their goals independently.
The chorus, "Owe me no pay me," further highlights the singer's self-sufficiency. There is no obligation for anyone to reward or compensate the singer for their accomplishments or efforts. The singer wants what they deserve, but they do not need to be indebted to anyone to get it.
Line by Line Meaning
Owe me no pay me
I don't need you to pay me back
I cant get no better than you, because you done it already
I can't improve upon what you have already done
I am not following when you are missed, because you done it already
I don't understand why you are gone, because you have already done everything
But if you cant take it my friend, you got to leave it
If you can't handle it, you need to let it go
And if you cant stay off the rip
And if you can't avoid trouble
You got to move it
You need to get out of there
And if you cant lift up to it,
And if you can't meet the challenge
You got to live it alone, because you done it already
You need to deal with it on your own, because you have already dealt with it before
You owe me no pay me
I don't want you to pay me back
You owe me no pay me
I don't want you to pay me back
You owe me no pay me
I don't want you to pay me back
You owe me no pay me
I don't want you to pay me back
I want it
I just want to handle it on my own
Contributed by Joshua D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@56postoffice
I love this period of Studio One. You can hear the transition from ska into early rocksteady. Top tune from the mighty Ethiopians.
@johnnyb8825
That's one of my favourite eras in Jamaican music too! More melodic than classic ska but faster than rocksteady. I believe the British Two-Tone (ska revival) bands took a hell of a lot of inspiration from that precise period between ska and rocksteady.
@rankingtrevor
Spot on. A great period. Rocksteady in the mid 60s was also a glorious time, before roots came in (1970s), followed by early dancehall by around 1978/9
@davevassell8241
Come. Again
Brother
@ianrodrigues9575
grande música!
@BigChrisButler
Choon!