The Pioneers are a Jamaican reggae vocal trio, whose main period of success… Read Full Bio ↴The Pioneers are a Jamaican reggae vocal trio, whose main period of success was in the 1960s. The trio has had different line-ups, and still occasionally performs.
The Pioneers were formed in 1962 by brothers Sydney and Derrick Crooks, and their friend Winston Hewitt. Their early recordings "Good Nanny" and "I'll Never Come Running Back to You" were self-produced at the Treasure Isle studio using money lent to the Crooks brothers by their mother and appeared on Ken Lack's Caltone label.
Several other singles followed, none of them hits, before Hewitt immigrated to Canada in 1966. Hewitt was replaced for around a year by former Heptone Glen Adams.
The Pioneers' early singles were not successful, and Sydney began promoting concerts, while Derrick took up a job with the Alcoa bauxite company. The group broke up in mid-1967.
Sydney began working at Joe Gibbs' record shop, and through Gibbs, returned to recording. At his first session (to record "Give Me Little Loving"), with the other members of The Pioneers gone, Crooks recruited Jackie Robinson, who he found outside the studio just before recording began. Crooks later said of the encounter:
"When I was about to voice the song I looked outside the studio and I saw a little boy sitting on a stone. I said 'Hey, come here man, you can sing?' He sang the harmony for 'Give Me Little Loving' and his name was Jackie Robinson. After that I said to him 'You are one of the Pioneers from today' and he became the lead singer of the Pioneers".
The new version of The Pioneers enjoyed success with singles such as "Longshot" (a track written and produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry on Gibbs' behalf about a long-lived but unsuccessful racehorse), "Jackpot", "Catch the Beat", and "Pan Yu Machete" (an attack on Perry, who left Gibbs in 1968 to start working on his own productions). Crooks and Robinson also recorded as The Soul Mates in 1967. The group parted ways with Gibbs after an argument and moved on to work with Leslie Kong, the first recording for Kong being "Samfie Man", a song about a confidence trickster, which topped the Jamaican singles chart.
The classic trio, and the move to the UK: 1969-77
After a few further singles with Kong, the group recruited Desmond Dekker's half-brother George Agard to become a trio again. Sydney Crooks and his former Pioneer brother Derrick, along with Winston Bailey also recorded as The Slickers, recording "Nana" for producer Neremiah Reid. The Pioneers scored again with a sequel to "Long Shot", "Long Shot (Kick De Bucket)". When Kong heard that the horse had died (during its 203rd race), he insisted that the group write a song about it; The song was written and recorded quickly and became an instant hit. The band was popular in the United Kingdom, particularly among skinheads. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was a big hit in 1969, and led to a tour of the UK, during which they resolved to relocate there. Their cover of Jimmy Cliff's "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" made #5 as a single in 1971.
The band did indeed move to the UK in 1970. Their third UK hit was "Give and Take", which reached #35 in January 1972.
In 1976 the Pioneers teamed up with Eddy Grant for an album for Mercury Records called Feel The Rhythm. Grant preferred to produce them as a soul group and they released a number of singles in that idiom, including "Broken Man", "Feel The Rhythm" and "My Good Friend James"
The change of style was a critical but not a commercial success and the band split up for a time in the late 1970s, with Crooks concentrating on production work and continuing with his brother in The Slickers, while Agard and Robinson continued to record, together on the album George & Jackie Sing, and separately.
The group reformed in the late 1970s and continued until 1989, when they split again to concentrate on separate careers. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was a minor UK chart hit again in 1980 upon re-issue. At the same time, "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was covered by The Specials on their The Special AKA Live! EP, which was a UK #1 hit in 1980.
The Pioneers song "Starvation" was also covered on the "Starvation/Tam Tam Pour L'Ethiopie" charity single released in 1985, which peaked at UK number 33. The Pioneers shared lead vocal duties on the single with members of UB40, with backing vocals by General Public.
In 1999, the group reformed again and have continued to perform together since.
In 2005, the Pioneers performed at the Maranhรฃo Roots Reggae Festival in Sรฃo Luรญs, Brazil before 15,000 fans. The following year they appeared at the Godiva Festival in the War Memorial Park, Coventry, England. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was used in the 2008 film, The Wackness.
The Pioneers also had a number 42 UK hit in 1980 with a double-A-side release of "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" and Harry J All-Stars' "Liquidator", and a four-track EP consisting of tracks by The Pioneers, The Maytals, The Skatalites, and Jimmy Cliff reached number 86 in 1989.
The Pioneers track "Jackpot" was covered by The Beat on their 1980 album I Just Can't Stop It. Their song "Starvation" was also covered on the "Starvation/Tam Tam Pour L'Ethiopie" charity single released in 1985.
The Selecter covered "Time Hard" as "Everyday" on their 1980 album Too Much Pressure
Discography
Albums
Greetings From The Pioneers - 1968 - Amalgamated - produced by Joe Gibbs
Long Shot - 1969 - Trojan Records - produced by Leslie Kong
Battle Of The Giants - 1970 - Trojan Records - produced by Leslie Kong
Yeah - 1971 - Trojan Records
I Believe In Love - 1972 - Trojan Records
Freedom Feeling - 1973 - Trojan Records
I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door - 1974 - Trojan Records
Feel The Rhythm -1976 - Mercury Records
Roll On Muddy River - 1977 - Trojan Records
Pusher Man - 1978 - Squad Disco
Pusher Man - 1978 - Trojan Records (different tracks to the Squad Disco release)
What A Feeling - 1980 - Pioneer International
Reggae for Lovers - D.M.C.
Compilations
From The Beginning - 1969-1976 - WWS
Kick De Bucket - Rhino Records
Greatest Reggae Hits - 1979 - Trojan Records
More Reggae For Lovers Vol.4 - 1985 - Vista Sounds
Longshot Kick De Bucket (The Best Of) - 1997 - Trojan Records
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah (Anthology) - 2002 - Trojan Records
Give And Take: The Best of The Pioneers - 2003 - Trojan Records
Singles
"Good Nanny" (196?), Caltone
"I'll Never Come Running Back to You" (196?), Caltone
"Sometimes" (1965), Island (B-side to Theo Beckford's "Trench Town People")
"Good Nanny" (1966), Rio
"Too Late" (1966), Rio
"Give Me Little Loving" (1968), Amalgamated
"Long Shot" (1968), Amalgamated
"Jackpot" (1968), Amalgamated
"No Dope Me Pony" (1968), Amalgamated
"Tickle Me For Days" (1968), Amalgamated
"Catch the Beat" (1968), Amalgamated
"Sweet Dreams" (1968), Amalgamated
"Shake It Up" (1968), Blue Cat
"Give It To Me" (1968), Blue Cat
"Whip Them" (1968), Blue Cat
"Reggae Beat" (1968), Blue Cat
"I Love No Other Girl" (1968), Caltone
"Easy Come Easy Go" (1968), Pyramid
"Pee Pee Cluck Cluck" (1968), Pyramid
"Pan Yu Machete"
"Love Love Everyday" (1969), Amalgamated (B-dside to the Moon Boys' "Apollo 11")
"Don't You Know" (1969), Amalgamated
"Mama Look Deh" (1969), Amalgamated
"Who the Cap Fits" (1969), Amalgamated
"Alli Button" (1969), Amalgamated
"Long Shot Kick De Bucket" (1969), Trojan (UK #21)
"Black Bud" (1969), Trojan
"Poor Rameses" (1969), Trojan
"Samfie Man" (1970), Trojan
"Boss Festival" (1970), Trojan
"Driven Back" (1970), Trojan
"Simmer Down Quashie" (1970), Trojan
"Battle of the Giants" (1970), Trojan
"Money Day" (1970), Trojan
"I Need Your Sweet Inspiration" (1970), Trojan
"Starvation" (1971), Summit
"Get Ready" (1971), Summit
"Land of Complexion" (1971), Summit
"Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" (1971), Trojan (UK #5)
"Give and Take" (1971), Trojan (UK #35)
"I am a Believer" (1971), Hot Shot
"Story Book Children" (1972), Summit
"I Believe in Love" (1972), Trojan
"Roll Muddy River" (1972), Ifusion
"At the Discotheque" (197?), Trojan
"Bad to be Good" (1973), Trojan
"Do It Right" (197?), Trojan
"Hit Me With Music", (197?), Trojan
"Some Livin' Some Dyin'" (197?), Trojan
"Sweet Number One" (197?), Trojan
"World Needs Love" (197?), Trojan
"Honey Bee" (1974), Trojan
"Jamaica Jerk Off" (1974), Trojan
"Feel The Rhythm (of You and I)" (1976), Mercury
"Broken Man" (1976), Mercury
"My Good Friend James" (1977), Mercury
"Mother Ritty" (19??), Beverleys
"Rock My Soul" (1985), Creole
"Reggae in London City" (1986)
"Bad Company" (198?), Pioneer International
"Starvation" (198?), Boss
"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" (1973), Joe Gibbs
"Bring Back the Yester Years" (1997), Joe Gibbs
"Run Run Run" (19??), MGA
"Mettle" (19??), Trojan
The Pioneers were formed in 1962 by brothers Sydney and Derrick Crooks, and their friend Winston Hewitt. Their early recordings "Good Nanny" and "I'll Never Come Running Back to You" were self-produced at the Treasure Isle studio using money lent to the Crooks brothers by their mother and appeared on Ken Lack's Caltone label.
Several other singles followed, none of them hits, before Hewitt immigrated to Canada in 1966. Hewitt was replaced for around a year by former Heptone Glen Adams.
The Pioneers' early singles were not successful, and Sydney began promoting concerts, while Derrick took up a job with the Alcoa bauxite company. The group broke up in mid-1967.
Sydney began working at Joe Gibbs' record shop, and through Gibbs, returned to recording. At his first session (to record "Give Me Little Loving"), with the other members of The Pioneers gone, Crooks recruited Jackie Robinson, who he found outside the studio just before recording began. Crooks later said of the encounter:
"When I was about to voice the song I looked outside the studio and I saw a little boy sitting on a stone. I said 'Hey, come here man, you can sing?' He sang the harmony for 'Give Me Little Loving' and his name was Jackie Robinson. After that I said to him 'You are one of the Pioneers from today' and he became the lead singer of the Pioneers".
The new version of The Pioneers enjoyed success with singles such as "Longshot" (a track written and produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry on Gibbs' behalf about a long-lived but unsuccessful racehorse), "Jackpot", "Catch the Beat", and "Pan Yu Machete" (an attack on Perry, who left Gibbs in 1968 to start working on his own productions). Crooks and Robinson also recorded as The Soul Mates in 1967. The group parted ways with Gibbs after an argument and moved on to work with Leslie Kong, the first recording for Kong being "Samfie Man", a song about a confidence trickster, which topped the Jamaican singles chart.
The classic trio, and the move to the UK: 1969-77
After a few further singles with Kong, the group recruited Desmond Dekker's half-brother George Agard to become a trio again. Sydney Crooks and his former Pioneer brother Derrick, along with Winston Bailey also recorded as The Slickers, recording "Nana" for producer Neremiah Reid. The Pioneers scored again with a sequel to "Long Shot", "Long Shot (Kick De Bucket)". When Kong heard that the horse had died (during its 203rd race), he insisted that the group write a song about it; The song was written and recorded quickly and became an instant hit. The band was popular in the United Kingdom, particularly among skinheads. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was a big hit in 1969, and led to a tour of the UK, during which they resolved to relocate there. Their cover of Jimmy Cliff's "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" made #5 as a single in 1971.
The band did indeed move to the UK in 1970. Their third UK hit was "Give and Take", which reached #35 in January 1972.
In 1976 the Pioneers teamed up with Eddy Grant for an album for Mercury Records called Feel The Rhythm. Grant preferred to produce them as a soul group and they released a number of singles in that idiom, including "Broken Man", "Feel The Rhythm" and "My Good Friend James"
The change of style was a critical but not a commercial success and the band split up for a time in the late 1970s, with Crooks concentrating on production work and continuing with his brother in The Slickers, while Agard and Robinson continued to record, together on the album George & Jackie Sing, and separately.
The group reformed in the late 1970s and continued until 1989, when they split again to concentrate on separate careers. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was a minor UK chart hit again in 1980 upon re-issue. At the same time, "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was covered by The Specials on their The Special AKA Live! EP, which was a UK #1 hit in 1980.
The Pioneers song "Starvation" was also covered on the "Starvation/Tam Tam Pour L'Ethiopie" charity single released in 1985, which peaked at UK number 33. The Pioneers shared lead vocal duties on the single with members of UB40, with backing vocals by General Public.
In 1999, the group reformed again and have continued to perform together since.
In 2005, the Pioneers performed at the Maranhรฃo Roots Reggae Festival in Sรฃo Luรญs, Brazil before 15,000 fans. The following year they appeared at the Godiva Festival in the War Memorial Park, Coventry, England. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was used in the 2008 film, The Wackness.
The Pioneers also had a number 42 UK hit in 1980 with a double-A-side release of "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" and Harry J All-Stars' "Liquidator", and a four-track EP consisting of tracks by The Pioneers, The Maytals, The Skatalites, and Jimmy Cliff reached number 86 in 1989.
The Pioneers track "Jackpot" was covered by The Beat on their 1980 album I Just Can't Stop It. Their song "Starvation" was also covered on the "Starvation/Tam Tam Pour L'Ethiopie" charity single released in 1985.
The Selecter covered "Time Hard" as "Everyday" on their 1980 album Too Much Pressure
Discography
Albums
Greetings From The Pioneers - 1968 - Amalgamated - produced by Joe Gibbs
Long Shot - 1969 - Trojan Records - produced by Leslie Kong
Battle Of The Giants - 1970 - Trojan Records - produced by Leslie Kong
Yeah - 1971 - Trojan Records
I Believe In Love - 1972 - Trojan Records
Freedom Feeling - 1973 - Trojan Records
I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door - 1974 - Trojan Records
Feel The Rhythm -1976 - Mercury Records
Roll On Muddy River - 1977 - Trojan Records
Pusher Man - 1978 - Squad Disco
Pusher Man - 1978 - Trojan Records (different tracks to the Squad Disco release)
What A Feeling - 1980 - Pioneer International
Reggae for Lovers - D.M.C.
Compilations
From The Beginning - 1969-1976 - WWS
Kick De Bucket - Rhino Records
Greatest Reggae Hits - 1979 - Trojan Records
More Reggae For Lovers Vol.4 - 1985 - Vista Sounds
Longshot Kick De Bucket (The Best Of) - 1997 - Trojan Records
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah (Anthology) - 2002 - Trojan Records
Give And Take: The Best of The Pioneers - 2003 - Trojan Records
Singles
"Good Nanny" (196?), Caltone
"I'll Never Come Running Back to You" (196?), Caltone
"Sometimes" (1965), Island (B-side to Theo Beckford's "Trench Town People")
"Good Nanny" (1966), Rio
"Too Late" (1966), Rio
"Give Me Little Loving" (1968), Amalgamated
"Long Shot" (1968), Amalgamated
"Jackpot" (1968), Amalgamated
"No Dope Me Pony" (1968), Amalgamated
"Tickle Me For Days" (1968), Amalgamated
"Catch the Beat" (1968), Amalgamated
"Sweet Dreams" (1968), Amalgamated
"Shake It Up" (1968), Blue Cat
"Give It To Me" (1968), Blue Cat
"Whip Them" (1968), Blue Cat
"Reggae Beat" (1968), Blue Cat
"I Love No Other Girl" (1968), Caltone
"Easy Come Easy Go" (1968), Pyramid
"Pee Pee Cluck Cluck" (1968), Pyramid
"Pan Yu Machete"
"Love Love Everyday" (1969), Amalgamated (B-dside to the Moon Boys' "Apollo 11")
"Don't You Know" (1969), Amalgamated
"Mama Look Deh" (1969), Amalgamated
"Who the Cap Fits" (1969), Amalgamated
"Alli Button" (1969), Amalgamated
"Long Shot Kick De Bucket" (1969), Trojan (UK #21)
"Black Bud" (1969), Trojan
"Poor Rameses" (1969), Trojan
"Samfie Man" (1970), Trojan
"Boss Festival" (1970), Trojan
"Driven Back" (1970), Trojan
"Simmer Down Quashie" (1970), Trojan
"Battle of the Giants" (1970), Trojan
"Money Day" (1970), Trojan
"I Need Your Sweet Inspiration" (1970), Trojan
"Starvation" (1971), Summit
"Get Ready" (1971), Summit
"Land of Complexion" (1971), Summit
"Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" (1971), Trojan (UK #5)
"Give and Take" (1971), Trojan (UK #35)
"I am a Believer" (1971), Hot Shot
"Story Book Children" (1972), Summit
"I Believe in Love" (1972), Trojan
"Roll Muddy River" (1972), Ifusion
"At the Discotheque" (197?), Trojan
"Bad to be Good" (1973), Trojan
"Do It Right" (197?), Trojan
"Hit Me With Music", (197?), Trojan
"Some Livin' Some Dyin'" (197?), Trojan
"Sweet Number One" (197?), Trojan
"World Needs Love" (197?), Trojan
"Honey Bee" (1974), Trojan
"Jamaica Jerk Off" (1974), Trojan
"Feel The Rhythm (of You and I)" (1976), Mercury
"Broken Man" (1976), Mercury
"My Good Friend James" (1977), Mercury
"Mother Ritty" (19??), Beverleys
"Rock My Soul" (1985), Creole
"Reggae in London City" (1986)
"Bad Company" (198?), Pioneer International
"Starvation" (198?), Boss
"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" (1973), Joe Gibbs
"Bring Back the Yester Years" (1997), Joe Gibbs
"Run Run Run" (19??), MGA
"Mettle" (19??), Trojan
Long Shot
The Pioneers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a weepin' and wailin' dung a Caymanas park
What a weepin' and wailin' dung a Caymanas park
Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
Get up, get up in the first race
And them pull up the pace
Get up, get up in the first race
And them pull up the pace
And Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
Them wail, them wail, them reel
But they couldn't take the trail
Them wail, them wail, them reel
But they couldn't take the trail
And Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
It was Starbright, Combat, Corazon
Long Shot on the rear
It was Starbright, Combat, Corazon
Long Shot on the rear
Combat fell, Long Shot fell
All we money gone a hell
All we money gone a hell
And Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
What a weepin' and wailin' dung a Caymanas park
Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
Get up, get up in the first race
And them pull up the pace
Get up, get up in the first race
And Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
Them wail, them wail, them reel
But they couldn't take the trail
Them wail, them wail, them reel
But they couldn't take the trail
And Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
It was Starbright, Combat, Corazon
Long Shot on the rear
It was Starbright, Combat, Corazon
Long Shot on the rear
Combat fell, Long Shot fell
All we money gone a hell
All we money gone a hell
And Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
The Pioneers' song "Long Shot Kick De Bucket" is a commentary on the unpredictability of life and the agony that comes with losing in the world of horse racing. The lyrics describe the scene of a horse race at Caymanas Park, where Long Shot is competing. The singer encourages Long Shot to "get up" and compete in the first race, but ultimately, Long Shot tragically "kicks the bucket." The crowd reacts with great distress, wailing and reeling, while the rest of the horses, Starbright, Combat, and Corazon, continue the race.
The lyrics showcase the ups and downs of horse racing, where one moment a horse can be in the rear, but then suddenly take the lead. The loss of Long Shot not only represents a financial loss for the betters but also signifies the loss of hope and the realization that life is fragile and unpredictable. Through this song, The Pioneers are using horse racing as a metaphor for life, illustrating that even when we try our best, we never know what life has in store for us, and sometimes, we fall short.
Line by Line Meaning
What a weepin' and wailin' dung a Caymanas park
There was a lot of crying and mourning at the Caymanas Park racetrack
Long Shot, him kick de bucket
The horse named Long Shot died
Get up, get up in the first race
Race horses need to start fast and stay ahead
And them pull up the pace
Jockeys increase the speed of their horses
Them wail, them wail, them reel
Many people were crying and upset
But they couldn't take the trail
Some horses were not able to maintain their speed
It was Starbright, Combat, Corazon
These were other horses racing along with Long Shot
Long Shot on the rear
Long Shot was behind the other horses
Combat fell, Long Shot fell
Both Combat and Long Shot had accidents and fell
All we money gone a hell
People lost their bets on these horses
And Long Shot, him kick de bucket
Long Shot died, which resulted in further disappointment
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AGARD, CROOKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@davidrboland
It's from a longer article in the Independent newspaper. It's paywalled but it explains that the song was written about the horse a month before his death and titled Long Shot (Bus Me Bet).
The title and the lyrics were changed to reflect the events - i.e. the "weeping and wailing down at Caymanas Park" and a mention of the horses in the race.
The original lyrics were about the whipping and the beating Long Shot took to make him run so many races until his heart gave out.
Consequently I can't listen to this without feeling sad at the cruelty of human beings. The weeping and wailing is not grief for the horse, but for money lost in bets.
I'm of West Indian descent and the indifference of many people there to animal suffering is depressing.
@Stargazer3131
My mum use to sing this song around the home to my brother and I cause she knew we would laugh!๐๐๐คฃ.its 2 years now since she died, I miss you mum๐๐ฅโนโฅ๏ธ
@ladyvoice7747
So sorry for your loss. Mums are like the glue In The family so I feel you. This song is great I love ๐
Hope this song makes you smile every time you hear it. Aka Lady Voice ๐ฏ๐ฒโ๐ฝ
@mrsmarciad
Bless up darling. xx
@piamessing4730
I know you posted months ago but just incase...I'm a mum and what I taught my boys, youngest is 21 eldest is 30, keep what I did and still do, alive by singing, stomping, skanking, everything, with your kids. When they have them. I taught them to shake the kitchen floor and moonstomp!!! They couldn't keep up with me. Hope, I'm not being to personal but...my dearest girl, you obviously loved your mum and I know, if you sing or dance and smile, no matter how much of a pillock you feel, she'll know and she'll be proud. My daddy died when I was 7 and whenever I start Israelites, I know he's smiling no end. Much love to you and yours. You're strong and beautiful. Shes always with you. Much love. ( sorry if I overstepped the mark. You just touched my mothering heart).
@ca3898
โค๏ธ๐๐พ
@toonvanwijk5290
โค
@effiongukih8827
Way back in Nigeria ๐ณ๐ฌ, this was a classic vibe that made us kids- jump around. Much love to our Caribbean people !!
@elfredawright
Storytelling at its finest! Growing up in Jamaica in 1960s to 1970s, the top news of the day, were turned into songs by most of the upcoming singers. Everyone had a transistor radio playing. We didn't miss any news that was headline news๐๐๐๐. This song is truly about a horse race at the race tract - Caymanas Park. Big bets were made on him, but he died before completing the race.
In the same way, we sat around fire at night time and told anansi stories.
@VisionsofChina
This turned me on to reggae and ska. I was 15 in 1969 - its been a life long love of this music.
@murkredi
Same here. Except I was 13 in 69. Bought Reggae Chartbusters and this is still the standout track on the album.