Biography by Jo-Ann Greene
Even by Jamaic… Read Full Bio ↴www.allmusic.com
Biography by Jo-Ann Greene
Even by Jamaican standards, the Meditations' early career is convoluted, and both Ansel Cridland and Danny Clarke's careers were already well underway before the pair linked up. Cridland, born in 1951, moved to Kingston as a child, and apprenticed as a jockey. However, he ended up working odd jobs, before deciding to make his career as a singer, and formed the vocal group the Linkers during the rocksteady era. The group's lineup was fluid, but regardless, the Linkers recorded nearly a dozen singles, although none particularly hit with the public. Clarke, a Kingstonian by birth, had sung briefly with the Flames, Alton Ellis' backing group. Another Flame, Sweet P, introduced Clarke to Cridland, and the two became fast friends. By the early '70s, the two were recording as solo artists, even though both much preferred the sound of harmonies. Things finally began coalescing in 1974, when the pair decided to audition together at Channel One. There, Junior Delgado was holding auditions for label head JoJo Hookim. He was blown away by the pair's "Woman Is Like a Shadow," as was another young hopeful, Winston Watson, who offered up his falsetto harmonies on the spot.
The embryonic Meditations were now complete, but not yet birthed. "Woman" was recorded, but Hookim, unhappy with the results, refused to release it. The three continued writing and practicing together. Then, in late 1975, Clarke and Watson went down to Federal Studios where Dobby Dobson was holding auditions. Clarke offered up "Babylon Trap Them," and Watson "Woman Piabba"; Dobson recorded them both. Although Cridland supplied backing vocals on both numbers, the songs were released as solo singles. In 1976, the trio cut Cridland's "Tricked," credited to Ansel & the Meditations. That single brought the singers to television and helped snag them their first Caribbean, on a junket that included Culture, the Tamlins, Carl Dawkins, and Leroy Smart. By the end of the year, the group had officially become the Meditations.
During this time, they continued steadily recording with Dobson, and released Message From the Meditations, one of the most breath-taking debut albums ever recorded. Virtually the entire album had been, or would soon, be released as singles, from "Woman Is Like a Shadow" (which Dobson had gotten from Hookim, who then promptly released it on 45) through their first recordings for the producer, on through Cridland's seminal "Running From Jamaica" to the breezy "Changing of the Times." 1977 found them at Madison Square Garden with Calypso Rose, then, back home, the trio readied their next album. The seminal Wake Up arrived in 1978, and was again filled with another bundle of hit singles, including "Fly Natty Dread," "Turn Me Loose," and the title track. Intriguingly, the set also included a re-cut "Nyah Man Story," a song that dated from Cridland's days with the Linkers.
However, by now, the trio were extremely unhappy with the re-numeration they were receiving from Dobson, and severed their ties with the producer. Lee "Scratch" Perry was keen to pick up the reins. The Meditations had recorded several of Message's tracks at his Black Ark Studio, leaving the producer highly impressed. Although the group would not acquiesce to his demand to produce their next album, they were willing to cut a few singles for him. "No Peace," "House of Parliament," and "Think So" duly followed, with the latter song making quite a splash in Britain, where Island released it on the flip of the Cridland-produced "Life Is Not Easy" single. It was Perry that introduced the Meditations to Bob Marley this same year, a fortuitous meeting that resulted in the trio backing the Wailer on "Rastaman Redemption," "Blackman Redemption," and "Punky Reggae Party." The Meditations provided harmonies for innumerable other artists during the late '70s, notably Jimmy Cliff and Gregory Isaacs.
As the decade faded, the trio's star brightened. Marley's Tuff Gong label intended on putting out the Meditations new album, and released the exuberant "Miracles" single. A number of Wailers provided musical accompaniment on that song, as well a clutch of other recordings from this period. Unfortunately, Cridland had a falling out with Tuff's label manager, and with that, the projected album was no more. However, the Meditations did perform two songs at the legendary Peace Concert at Marley's request. It was 1980 before the group finally released their third album, Guidance, which was again filled with classic songs. But by then, international interest in reggae was beginning to wane, while Jamaicans were now under the thrall of the DJs.
Three more years passed before the trio returned with another full-length, No More Friend, sublimely backed by the Roots Radics. The set was overseen by Linval Thompson, who had produced a number of the group's singles earlier in the decade, including 1982's "Sit Down & Reason." In 1984, the group recorded a handful of songs, including a re-cut "Quiet Woman" and it's flip "Reggae Crazy," both fired by the Revolutionaries. By the end of the year, the Meditations were no more. Or at least not the original Meditations. Cridland carried on alone as Ansel Meditations, while Clarke and Watson continued as a duo under the Meditations name.
Cridland's solo career continued apace, via singles and two albums, 1988's Thunder on the Mountain and 1990's African Vengeance. Later, he joined forces with Yami Bolo for the excellent Tribute to Marcus Garvey album. Meanwhile, the Meditations were making equal in-roads in the States, touring to much success, and finally inking a new record deal with the U.S. Heartbeat label. That resulted in 1988's sublime album For the Good of Man. To the surprise of many fans, some of the set was overseen by Cridland. However, the trio's differences had been more geographical than personal or musical, with Cridland wanting to remain in Jamaica, while his bandmates preferring the greener pastures of the U.S. And so, in 1990, the trio re-formed, and two years later announced the fact on wax with Return of the Meditations. Compilations of their earlier material continued to appear since then, and today the group are seen as elder statesmen of a roots scene that they were so instrumental in defining.
Turn Me Loose
The Meditations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I want to be free
So I beg you Mister Big Stuff
Set me free
Turn me loose, let me go rock the blues
I say, turn me loose, let me go jump the blues
Oh yeah, oh yeah
(Oooh.) It's been a long time you've bound me down (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh.) While you and your followers having all the fun (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh.) Well my turn has come, and I've got to have my fun (Tra-la-la)
So
Turn me loose, let me go rock the blues
I wan' go jump, wan' go jump, wan' go jump
Jump, get the music
Turn me loose, let me go jump the blues
Ooh, I say you hear what I say?
(Oooh.) Jah bear witness of all you've done (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh.) My old mother feel the pain, down in slavery (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh.) My old man got the whip, whenever he tried to make a run (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh.) Now my turn has come, and I won't let no-one stop me (Tra-la-la)
So
Turn me loose, let me go rock the blues
Heathen, I say you hear what I say?
Turn me loose, let me go jump the blues
(Oooh.) We were best in sports and music (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh.) And still best in all activities (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh.) Whatsoever I do, must prosper (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh.) Now my turn has come to trod around the walls (Tra-la-la)
So I say
Turn me loose, let me go rock the blues
I wan' go jump, wan' go jump, wan' go jump
Jump, get the music
Turn me loose, let me go jump the blues
Ooh-yeah, ooh-yeah, you hear what I say?
(Turn me loose) Let me go (let me go rock the blues)
I'm ready to rock the blues
(Turn me loose) I feel like dancing (Let me go jump the blues)
Oh now
(Turn me loose) All we know
The sun don't shine for one tribe of people
(Let me go rock the blues)
Every man, every man got an equal share
(Turn me loose) I beg you heathen
(Let me go jump the blues) Let me go
Go jump, get the music
(Turn me loose) I wan' go jump, wan' go jump
(Let me go rock the blues) Come on...
Os limites mentais ainda está em I
E eu quero ser livre
Então, eu lhe peço Senhor Big Stuff
Me liberte
Turn me loose, deixe-me ir balançar o blues
Eu digo, vire me solta, me deixe ir pular o blues
Oh sim, oh sim
(Oooh .) Tem sido um longo tempo você me ligado para baixo (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh .) Enquanto você e seus seguidores ter toda a diversão (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh .) Bem minha vez chegou, e eu tenho que ter minha diversão (Tra-la-la)
Assim
Turn me loose, deixe-me ir balançar o blues
I wan 'go salto, wan' go salto, wan 'go salto
Jump, começar a música
Turn me loose, deixe-me ir pular o blues
Ooh, eu digo que você ouvir o que eu digo?
(Oooh .) Jah testemunho de tudo que você fez (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh .) Minha velha mãe sente a dor, para baixo na escravidão (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh .) O meu velho tem o chicote, sempre que tentava fazer uma corrida (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh .) Agora minha vez chegou, e eu não vou deixar ninguém me parar (Tra-la-la)
Assim
Turn me loose, deixe-me ir balançar o blues
Heathen, eu digo que você ouvir o que eu digo?
Turn me loose, deixe-me ir pular o blues
(Oooh .) Nós estávamos melhor no esporte e na música (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh .) E ainda melhor em todas as atividades (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh .) Tudo o que eu faço, deve prosperar (Tra-la-la)
(Oooh .) Agora minha vez chegou ao pisou em torno das paredes (Tra-la-la)
Então eu digo
Turn me loose, deixe-me ir balançar o blues
I wan 'go salto, wan' go salto, wan 'go salto
Jump, começar a música
Turn me loose, deixe-me ir pular o blues
Ooh-yeah, ooh-yeah, você ouviu o que eu disse?
(Turn me loose) Deixe-me ir (deixe-me ir balançar o blues)
Eu estou pronto para agitar o blues
(Turn me loose) Eu me sinto como dançar (Deixe-me ir pular o blues)
Oh agora
(Turn me loose) Tudo o que sabemos
O sol não brilha para uma tribo de pessoas
(Deixe-me ir balançar o blues)
Cada homem, cada homem tem uma parte igual
(Turn me loose) Peço-lhe pagãos
(Deixe-me ir pular o blues) Deixe-me ir
Vá salto, começar a música
(Turn me loose) I wan 'go salto, wan' go salto
(Deixe-me ir balançar o blues) Vamos lá ...
The Meditations' song "Turn Me Loose" is a powerful expression of the desire for freedom from mental and physical constraints. The lyrics speak of an individual who feels trapped and seeks liberation from the "Mister Big Stuff" who has been holding them down "for a long time." The song is an anthem of sorts for anyone who feels trapped or oppressed and yearns to be set free.
The lyrics also touch on themes of oppression and slavery, with references to the pain felt by the singer's mother and the whip used by their father. The repetition of the phrase "turn me loose" throughout the song underscores the urgent desire to break free from these bonds and live life to the fullest.
Musically, "Turn Me Loose" is a lively reggae track with a steady beat and catchy melody. The use of call-and-response vocals adds to the song's energy and reinforces the theme of individual expression and freedom.
Overall, "Turn Me Loose" is a powerful and uplifting song that speaks to the enduring human desire for freedom and self-determination.
Line by Line Meaning
The mental bounds is still on I
I am still mentally trapped
And I want to be free
I desire to be free
So I beg you Mister Big Stuff
I plead with you, Mister Big Stuff
Set me free
Release me from my bounds
Turn me loose, let me go rock the blues
Free me to play and enjoy the blues music
I say, turn me loose, let me go jump the blues
I repeat, release me to jump and dance to the blues music
(Oooh.) It's been a long time you've bound me down (Tra-la-la)
I've been trapped for a long time
(Oooh.) While you and your followers having all the fun (Tra-la-la)
You and your followers are having fun while I am not
(Oooh.) Well my turn has come, and I've got to have my fun (Tra-la-la)
Now it's my turn to have fun
So I wan' go jump, wan' go jump, wan' go jump
I want to jump and dance
Jump, get the music
Let's jump and dance to the music
Ooh, I say you hear what I say?
Do you hear what I am saying?
(Oooh.) Jah bear witness of all you've done (Tra-la-la)
God sees all that you have done
(Oooh.) My old mother feel the pain, down in slavery (Tra-la-la)
My mother suffered in slavery
(Oooh.) My old man got the whip, whenever he tried to make a run (Tra-la-la)
My father was whipped when he tried to escape
(Oooh.) Now my turn has come, and I won't let no-one stop me (Tra-la-la)
Now it's my turn and I won't let anyone stop me
Heathen, I say you hear what I say?
Ignorant person, do you hear what I am saying?
(Oooh.) We were best in sports and music (Tra-la-la)
We excelled in sports and music
(Oooh.) And still best in all activities (Tra-la-la)
We are still the best in all aspects
(Oooh.) Whatsoever I do, must prosper (Tra-la-la)
Everything I do will be successful
(Oooh.) Now my turn has come to trod around the walls (Tra-la-la)
Now it's my turn to enjoy life
So I say
Therefore I state
Ooh-yeah, ooh-yeah, you hear what I say?
Do you hear my words?
(Turn me loose) Let me go (let me go rock the blues)
Release me to play the blues music
I'm ready to rock the blues
I am prepared to enjoy the blues music
(Turn me loose) I feel like dancing (Let me go jump the blues)
I want to dance to the blues music
All we know
We all understand
The sun don't shine for one tribe of people
The sun does not favor one group of people
Every man, every man got an equal share
Everyone deserves an equal share
(Turn me loose) I beg you heathen
I plead with you, ignorant person
(Let me go jump the blues) Let me go
Release me to jump and dance to the blues music
Go jump, get the music
Let's jump and dance to the music
(Turn me loose) I wan' go jump, wan' go jump
I want to jump and dance
(Let me go rock the blues) Come on...
Let's play the blues music
Writer(s): Danny Clarke
Contributed by Samuel H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.