1) The Upsett… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four bands with the name The Upsetters:
1) The Upsetters was the name given to the house band for Jamaican reggae producer Lee "Scratch" Perry.
2) The Upsetters was the name of Little Richard's backing band playing R&B and rock 'n' roll during the 1950s.
3) The Upsetters was a South African garage rock band active in the 1960s.
4) The Upsetters was a soul band.
1. "The Upsetters" was the name of the studio backing band of Jamaica Reggae producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, a.k.a. "The Upsetter". The members most associated with that name included guitarist Alva Lewis, organist Glen Adams and brothers Aston Barrett and Carlton Barrett on bass and drums respectively, a.k.a. The Hippy Boys. As Lee Perry's studio band, the Upsetters had three distinct line-ups, though, throughout the years 1968-1986.
1968-1969: Gladdy's All Stars with Gladston Anderson and Winston Wright (keyboards), Jackie Jackson (bass), Hugh Malcom and Lloyd Adams (drums). They recorded the UK hits Man from M.I.5, Return of Django and Live Injection. According to Perry, "in a spectacular case of bad timing, the original Upsetters couldn't make the trip" for a tour of Britain. He went with the Hippy Boys instead.
1969-1971: The Hippy Boys included Glen Adams (keyboards), Alva Lewis (guitar), Aston Barrett (bass) and Carlton Barrett (drums). They were collaborating with Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer a.k.a The Wailers during that time. Even though Marley and Perry didn't get along very well, musically wise, they laid the foundation of reggae music for years to come with classics like Small Axe, Duppy Conqueror or 400 Years. In the rise to superstardom the bands began to go their separate ways early in 1972. The Barrett brothers, the most creative reggae rhythm section before Sly & Robbie, joined Marley to become known as the new Wailers which Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer left later on for successful solo careers. As a consequence Perry's Upsetters virtually didn't exist until he built his own Black Ark Studio.
1974-1979: Black Ark Players of which Boris Gardiner (bass), Mikey Richards, Sly Dunbar and Benbow Creary (drums), Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar), Winston Wright and Keith Stirling (keyboards) can be considered the core of the band. They developed the new psychedelic sound unique to the Black Ark which was impressively captured on albums like Heart Of The Congos or War Ina Babylon.
Perry himself purported that he deliberately burned down the Black Ark one morning in 1983, to eventually turn his back on Jamaican Reggae for good. The story of the Upsetters ends around 1986 and can be told in various different ways.
2. "The Upsetters" was the name of Little Richard's backing band playing R&B and Rock'n'Roll during the 1950s. One of their instrumental tracks is The Strip.
3. The Upsetters was a South African garage rock band active in the 1960s.
4. The Upsetters was a soul band.
Who Colt The Game
The Upsetters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who colt the game
It's not natty dready
It must be bald heady
Somebody play the wrong domino
And want the world to follow
Someone is fillin' their sack
In a completry? Black
A you colt the game
Why you play the bad card
Now we catch you off guard
Natty dread want to shuffle
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Natty dread want to shuffle
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Who colt the game
Who colt the game
One way in, one way out
Some a holler some a shout
Natty dread want to shuffle
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Natty dread want to shuffle
Not lookin' for no one to hassle now
You colt the game divided in
Why you play the bad card
Now we catch you off guard
Somebody play the wrong domino
And cause the rest to follow
Someone is fillin' ya sack
Well it's a completry? Black
Who colt the game
Who colt the game
Now 'bout to fill your sack
It's a completry black
Natty dread want to shuffle
Natty dread want to shout
Colt and colt
Colt and colt
Speak the truth and do it ever
Who colt the game
'Cause once you did it you'll do it again
Who colt the game
The Upsetters' song "Who Colt The Game" is a protest song that speaks to the idea of corruption and someone trying to impose their will onto others. The first few lines describe an individual who is responsible for the current state of things. However, Natty dread, who is a Rastafari icon representing a way of life and consciousness that many Jamaicans identify with, wants to "shuffle" and not get into any conflicts. The song then details the idea of there being only one way in and out, and some individuals being caught off guard. The song then reiterates the idea that someone played the "bad card" and now they'll do it again.
The lyrics themselves are quite cryptic, but the message is clear. The song is about someone who played the "wrong domino," meaning someone who influenced the game in a bad way. The lyric "It must be bald heady" refers to someone who is not Rastafarian and doesn't have the same values as Natty dread. The irony is that the person who caused this situation is benefiting from it, filling their sack in the completry black. Natty dread just wants to shuffle, and not get into any conflict, but this person is imposing their will on others.
Overall, "Who Colt The Game" is a powerful song that speaks to the idea of corruption and people imposing their will on others. It's a protest song that highlights the idea that people need to be aware of those who would take advantage of them. It speaks to the idea of standing up for what is right and not allowing others to take advantage of you.
Line by Line Meaning
Who colt the game
Who cheated in the game
Who colt the game
Who cheated in the game
It's not natty dready
It's not a Rasta man
It must be bald heady
It must be someone who's against Rasta
Somebody play the wrong domino
Someone played the wrong move
And want the world to follow
And expects others to follow their cheating ways
Someone is fillin' their sack
Someone is gathering and benefiting from the cheating
In a completry? Black
Secretly and dishonestly
Who colt the game
Who cheated in the game
A you colt the game
You cheated in the game
Why you play the bad card
Why did you cheat
Now we catch you off guard
Now we caught you in the act
Natty dread want to shuffle
Rasta man wants to play honestly
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Not looking for any trouble now
Natty dread want to shuffle
Rasta man wants to play honestly
Not lookin' for no one to hassle now
Not looking for anyone to cheat now
One way in, one way out
No other way but to play honestly
Some a holler some a shout
Some are complaining and others are protesting
Now 'bout to fill your sack
Now it's time for you to reap the consequences of your cheating
It's a completry black
It's done in secret and dishonestly
Natty dread want to shuffle
Rasta man wants to play honestly
Natty dread want to shout
Rasta man wants to proclaim the truth
Colt and colt
Cheating begets more cheating
Speak the truth and do it ever
Speak the truth and always act accordingly
Who colt the game
Who cheated in the game
'Cause once you did it you'll do it again
Because once you cheat, you'll do it again
Lyrics © PEERMUSIC
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind