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 Maranhão Roots Reggae Festival in São Luís, 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
Take It Easy
The Pioneers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All our worry was lost
Now you're thrown but what somebody said
And you feel double crossed
It's time we leave while we still can
A whisper's a plan you know
Head for the side of the road
Before you lose control
And your picture's on the wall
When you come out
And you're already worried about
What they'll think of you
Ten years from now
Tell me what it's like
You've already seen the end
Live for the sake of living
Before you lose control
Before life takes its toll
The Pioneers' song "Take It Easy" is a poignant reflection on lost love and the emotional turmoil that comes with it. The lyrics describe a situation where the singer and their former lover have gone their separate ways, but the singer is still hurting from the breakup. They don't want to talk about the things they've gone through because it only brings up painful memories - but they acknowledge that it's now history. Both parties have played their cards, but there's nothing left to say or do. The winner takes it all and the loser stands small beside their destiny.
The singer thought they belonged with their former partner and that building a life together made sense. They thought they'd be strong together, but in hindsight, they were playing by the rules - and they were fooling themselves. The gods, referenced in the lyrics, are a symbol of fate, and the dice they throw are a metaphor for the unpredictable nature of life. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we lose something dear to us, and the gods are seemingly indifferent to our pain.
The second half of the song moves towards a more introspective place as the singer asks questions of their former partner. They wonder if their replacement kisses as they once did, or if it feels the same when they're called by name. Deep down, the singer knows they miss their former partner, but they're resigned to the fact that the rules must be obeyed. The judges, or society at large, will decide who is right and who is wrong - and the game will continue. The singer acknowledges that they don't want to make their former partner feel sad, but they're still tense and lacking in self-confidence.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna talk about things we've gone through,
I do not want to bring up the past experiences we shared together.
Though it's hurting me, now it's history.
Even though the memories of the past hurt me, I know it is something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
I've played all my cards and that's what you've done too,
I have given everything I could, just like you did.
Nothing more to say, no more ace to play.
There is nothing left to say or do to change what has happened.
The winner takes it all,
In any competition or event, only the person who emerged victorious is remembered and celebrated.
The loser standing small beside the victory, that's her destiny.
The loser has no choice but to accept defeat and look small in comparison to the winner's glory.
I was in your arms thinking I belonged there,
Being in your warm embrace made me feel like home and like I had found where I belonged.
I figured it made sense, building me a fence,
I believed that creating walls around myself in your embrace would make me feel safe and secure.
Building me a home, thinking I'd be strong there,
I thought that by building a home with you, I would become stronger and more confident.
But I was a fool, playing by the rules.
Unfortunately, I was naive and followed the rules that were meant to be broken.
The gods may throw a dice, their minds as cold as ice,
Fate can be unpredictable, and no one knows what it will bring next.
And someone way down here loses someone dear.
Unfortunately, sometimes even the most valuable people in your life are taken away from you.
The winner takes it all, the loser has to fall,
There can only be one winner in any competition, and the loser must accept defeat.
It's simple and it's plain, why should I complain.
There is no point in complaining about the straightforwardness of the situation.
But tell me, does she kiss like I used to kiss you,
I cannot help but wonder if the person you are with now kisses you the way I used to.
Does it feel the same when she calls your name.
I can't help but wonder if when she says your name, it feels the same way it did when I did the same.
Somewhere deep inside you must know I miss you,
You must realize on some level that I miss you deeply.
But what can I say, rules must be obeyed.
Unfortunately, we must abide by the rules even if we do not like them.
The judges will decide the likes of me abide,
The opinions of others will dictate how I am perceived or judged by society.
Spectators of the show always staying low.
People who are not directly involved in a situation always remain in the background and observe from afar.
The game is on again, a lover or a friend,
We have the opportunity to take a chance with love or just remain friends.
A big thing or a small, the winner takes it all.
Whether it is a big or small decision, the person who emerges victorious takes all the praise and glory.
I don't wanna talk if it makes you feel sad,
I do not want to bring up anything that can make you feel sad or uncomfortable.
And I understand you've come to shake my hand.
I know you have come to make peace with me and reconcile our differences.
I apologize if it makes you feel bad seeing me so tense, no self-confidence.
I am sorry if my nervousness and lack of self-confidence make you feel uncomfortable.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Sam McDonell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ono S
Thank you so much for this upload