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.
Zion's Blood
The Upsetters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I and I will never work in vain
African blood is flowing through I vein
So I and I shall never fade away
Zion blood is flowing through I vein
So I and I will never work in vain
African blood is flowing through I vein
I and I stand fi the right and mash up the wrong
Stand fi the right and mash up the wrong
(.)
Zion blood is flowing through I vein
So I and I will never work in vain
African blood is flowing through I vein
So I and I shall never fade away
I and I stand fi the right and mash up the wrong
Stand fi the right and mash up the wrong
The Upsetters' song "Zion's Blood" is a reggae anthem that speaks to the importance of African heritage and standing up for what is right. The opening lines, "Zion blood is flowing through I vein, so I and I will never work in vain," suggest that the singer feels a deep connection to the cultural and spiritual traditions of Zion, a utopian ideal of peace and freedom in Rastafarianism. The repetition of the phrase "African blood is flowing through I vein" reinforces the idea that the singer is part of a lineage that dates back to the origins of humanity itself.
The second half of the song's first verse explores the idea of fading away, which could refer to a loss of cultural identity, political power, or spiritual purpose. However, the repetition of "I and I shall never fade away" indicates that the singer is determined to maintain their connection to their roots and their commitment to fighting injustice. The chorus, "Stand fi the right and mash up the wrong," further asserts the importance of taking a stand for what is just and moral.
Overall, "Zion's Blood" is a powerful statement of identity, purpose, and social justice. It invites listeners to celebrate their heritage, assert their agency, and work towards a better world.
Line by Line Meaning
Zion blood is flowing through I vein
My allegiance to the principles of Zionism is so strong that it runs through my veins.
So I and I will never work in vain
I firmly believe that my actions in support of Zionism will ultimately be successful and not wasted.
African blood is flowing through I vein
My lineage can be traced back to the continent of Africa, and that history informs my identity and worldview.
So I and I shall never fade away
Even after death, my legacy and the principles I believe in will continue on and remain relevant.
I and I stand fi the right and mash up the wrong
I am committed to fighting for justice and opposing any forces that seek to oppress or harm others.
Stand fi the right and mash up the wrong
My ultimate goal is to promote greater equality and social justice for all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Zion blood is flowing through I vein
My dedication to Zionism is a deeply-held part of my identity that influences all aspects of my life.
So I and I will never work in vain
I am certain that my efforts in support of Zionism will be worthwhile and have a positive impact on the world.
African blood is flowing through I vein
My connections to my African heritage are an important part of my identity and shape my worldview.
So I and I shall never fade away
Even when I am gone, the principles and values that I hold dear will continue on and inspire others to make the world a better place.
I and I stand fi the right and mash up the wrong
My commitment to promoting justice and equity is unwavering, and I will do all that I can to fight for those values.
Stand fi the right and mash up the wrong
My ultimate goal is a world where all people are treated with dignity and respect, and that requires actively opposing any forces that seek to create inequality or injustice.
Contributed by Gabriel E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.