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Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, the leader of the group, was born in May Pen, Clarendon, Jamaica. He was the youngest of seven children. He grew up singing gospel music in a church choir, but moved to Kingston in 1958 at the age of thirteen. In Kingston, Hibbert met Henry "Raleigh" Gordon and Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy, forming in 1962 a group whose early recordings were incorrectly attributed to "The Flames" and "The Vikings" by Island records in the UK.
The Maytals first had chart success recording for producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One. With musical backing from Dodd's house band, the legendary Skatalites, the Maytals' close-harmony gospel singing ensured success, overshadowing Dodd's other up-and-coming vocal group, The Wailers. After staying at Studio One for about two years, the group moved on to do sessions for Prince Buster before recording with Byron Lee in 1965. With Lee, the Maytals won their first Festival Popular Song Competition with "Bam Bam". However, the group's musical career was interrupted in late 1966 when Hibbert was arrested and imprisoned. Toots states that he was not arrested for ganja but while bailing a friend. He also states that he made up the number 54-46 when writing 54-46 That's My Number about his time in jail.
Following Hibbert's release from jail towards the end of 1967, the Maytals began working with Chinese-Jamaican producer Leslie Kong, a collaboration a string of hits throughout the late sixties and early seventies - "Do the Reggay", a 1968 single widely credited with coining the word reggae, "Pressure Drop", "54-46" the 1969 Jamaica festival's popular song winner, "Sweet & Dandy" and "Monkey Man", the group's first international hit in 1970 . In 1972 they won their third Jamaica festival popular song with "Pomps & Pride". The group was also featured in one of reggae's greatest breakthrough events - The Harder They Come, the 1972 film and soundtrack starring Jimmy Cliff, named as one of Vanity Fair's Top 10 Best Soundtracks of all time.
Following Kong's death in 1971, the group continued to record with Kong's former sound engineer, Warwick Lyn; the group released three best-selling albums produced by Lyn and Chris Blackwell of Island Records, and enjoyed international hits with Funky Kingston in 1973 and Reggae Got Soul in 1975. Following the release of "Reggae Got Soul", Toots & The Maytals were invited to tour as the warm-up act for The Who during their North American Tour. The tour went poorly and Toots & The Maytals never went on the success of Bob Marley or Peter Tosh in the US.
Toots and the Maytals' compositions would be given a second airing in 1978-80 during the reggae-punk and ska revival period in the UK, when The Specials included "Monkey Man" on their 1979 debut album and The Clash produced their version of "Pressure Drop". They were also included in the Bob Marley and the Wailers song, *Punky Reggae Party". "The Wailers will be there, The Damned, The Jam, The Clash, The Maytals will be there, Dr. Feelgood too".
Having toured throughout the world for many years, Toots and the Maytals disbanded in the early 1980s, but reformed in the early 90s to continue touring and recording successfully. Sublime recorded cover versions of some Maytals songs in the 1990s as well.
The group recently won the 2005 Grammy award for best reggae album True Love, an album consisting of re-recorded versions of their classics alongside popular and legendary musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards, as well as popular artists today such as No Doubt, Ben Harper, The Roots, and Shaggy.
In 2006, they recorded a reggae/ska version of Radiohead's Let Down for the tribute album, Radiodread, by the Easy Star All-Stars. The album is a complete song for song makeover of the English rock band's album OK Computer into reggae, dub and ska. Let Down has been frequently cited by reviewers as one of the successes of the album.
A follow up to 2004's Love was being recorded in 2005 and released in 2007, and featured re-workings of classics such as "Johnny Cool Man" as well as new material. Light Your Light was nominated for the Grammy in the category Best Reggae Album.
Frederick Nathaniel 'Toots' Hibbert passed away September 11, 2020 at age 77.
Never You Change
The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweetheart, darling, bear in mind all the time
That a constant friend is hard to find, find
But when you find one that is good and kind, oh
Never you change, never you change
Old for new, oh darling
Old for new
Because I love you, is that I want you to know
That I really, really, really love you so
So, so, so, darling, you remember when we both were small
I never fall in love before, but it's you my heart is aching for
Ooh, ooh, my people
Just keep on, darling, bear in mind all the time
That a constant friend is hard to find, find
But when you find one that is good and kind
Never you change, never you change
Old for new, oh darling, please never you change
Never you change
Old for new, oh darling, never, never
Never you change
Old for new, oh darling
The Maytals' song "Never You Change" is a sweet and soulful love song that speaks to the importance of having a constant and loyal friend in life. The lyrics urge the listener to hold onto the people who are good and kind, and to resist the temptation to trade them in for something new or different.
The song's repetitive chorus serves as a reminder to the listener to remain true to their original commitments, even when new opportunities or relationships arise. It suggests that in the end, it is the constant and dependable friends who will bring the most happiness and fulfillment in life.
The verse lyrics are equally powerful, expressing the depth of love and the importance of cherishing those who have been a part of our lives since our earliest days. There is a nostalgic tone to the words, as the singer reminisces about their shared memories and emphasizes the significance of the love they have found together.
In analyzing the song, it becomes clear that The Maytals were not only skilled musicians, but also thoughtful lyricists who understood the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Through "Never You Change," they offer an earnest and heartfelt message that reaches beyond romantic love to encompass friendship, loyalty, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me hear you again, now, oh baby, sir
Please speak to me again, my love
Sweetheart, darling, bear in mind all the time
Dear and cherished one, always remember
That a constant friend is hard to find, find
It's difficult to find a reliable friend
But when you find one that is good and kind, oh
If you discover such a friend who is beneficial and compassionate
Never you change, never you change
Don't ever abandon your positive qualities
Old for new, oh darling
Don't trade in your virtues
Because I love you, is that I want you to know
My affection prompts me to tell you
That I really, really, really love you so
That I adore you immensely
So, so, so, darling, you remember when we both were small
My love, do you recall our childhood?
I never fall in love before, but it's you my heart is aching for
I had never experienced love before, but now my heart yearns for you
Ooh, ooh, my people
Oh my friends and loved ones
Just keep on, darling, bear in mind all the time
Remember always, my beloved, to persevere
Never you change, never you change
Don't ever forsake your goodness
Old for new, oh darling, please never you change
Please don't ever discard your admirable traits
Never you change
Don't ever transform your essence
Old for new, oh darling, never, never
Please always keep your positive attributes, my love
Never you change
Please always remain the same
Old for new, oh darling
Please don't trade your virtues for anything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Fairley_Bule
Let me hear you again, now, oh baby, sir
Sweetheart, darling, bear in mind all the time
That a constant friend is hard to find, find
But when you find one that is good and kind, oh
Never you change, never you change
Old for new, oh darling
Never you change, never you change
Old for new
Because I love you, is that I want you to know
That I really, really, really love you so
So, so, so, darling, you remember when we both were small
I never fall in love before, but it's you my heart is aching for
Ooh, ooh, my people
Just keep on, darling, bear in mind all the time
That a constant friend is hard to find, find
But when you find one that is good and kind
Never you change, never you change
Old for new, oh darling, please never you change
Never you change
Old for new, oh darling, never, never
Never you change
Old for new, oh darling
@bickliffeoba1620
Great Toots Frederick Hibbert, we will never change from loving your music. Corona Virus has done its worst, but we love you. Rest in peace, great Toots!
@paulettefrancis8693
I miss you so much Toots
@paulettefrancis8693
Gone but not forgotten
@janetbarnett9399
Can't change the old for the new, memories kept coming...RIP
@kaulanakanekoa5800
Just heard toots passed😥 Heartbreaking! Was and will always be the Skafather. This is one of his masterpieces.
@MicahSeymour
One of the best Reggae Rock albums of all time. Marley wishes he made this.
@racketman2u
oh, well said! Let's be honest, Marley was brilliant, but after I'd discovered reggae listening to him, this album was a revelation as well.
@Fairley_Bule
This Track still beats 99.9% of those new 'reggae' hits . . . .Classic Toots.
@timpani1950
God Bless Toots! He is still a bundle of loving energy at his live shows!
@sifisosibiya135
Grew up with this music,love from south Africa