They were formed in 1973 and are still releasing records today. Their lineup has changed over the years, as has their musical style, although it has not strayed too far from the "roots reggae" style that they are generally categorized as.
With Dean Pond in the touring lineup (Dean Pond, founder of Dub Mystic and one time musical director and drummer for Culture, and V.I. producer of the year) this year (??) should prove to be even bigger for Third World.
Uptown Rebel
Third World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stewed it for lunch, yeah
Roasted it for dinner
And when I wouldn't eat it they said I was a sinner
First day I come home and say 'Rastafari'
You would a-think it was a funeral, yeah
The way my people start to cry
Everyone was looking, yeah
They don't like my style but they love the seasoning
Uptown rebel, fight for a cause
Uptown rebel, fight for a cause
'Town rebel, fight for a cause
Musical rebel, fight for a cause
It's a sad, sad, sad, sad story, they say
A decent man like him hasn't had a chance in seven years
Two thousand five hundred and fifty five days
Uptown rebel, fight for a cause
Uptown rebel, musical cause
'Town rebel, fight for a cause
Musical rebel, fight for a cause
They say, I was born in a good family
But when I check the facts
It's just one life for you and me
Rebel, catch a call on I
Rebel, catch a so I say, show I
Rebel, catch a call on I, call I
Rebel, catch a so I say, so I say
(Rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel)
I say rude they say (rebel)
I say rude they say (rebel)
I say wicked drumming (rebel)
I say wicked drumming (rebel)
I say bubble piano man (rebel)
I say bubble piano man (rebel, rebel, rebel)
I say lick it gets it (rebel)
I say wizard gets it (rebel)
I say wizard gets it (rebel, rebel, rebel)
I say Coore piano man (rebel).
The song Uptown Rebel by Third World is about the struggles of being an outsider in your own community. The lyrics describe how the singer rejected the traditional food of their family and community after adopting the Rastafari faith. The family and community initially react to this change with grief and confusion, but over time they come to appreciate the singer's unique style and culinary choices.
The lyrics are a representation of the larger themes of the song, which is about fighting for what you believe in, even when it means going against the norm. The chorus, "Uptown rebel, fight for a cause," emphasizes the idea that standing up for your beliefs is important, even when it means going against the wishes of those around you. The song suggests that it is better to be a rebel than to be complacent.
The song also touches on the idea of social injustice. The line, "A decent man like him hasn't had a chance in seven years, two thousand five hundred and fifty-five days," speaks to the idea that certain groups of people are unfairly marginalized and prevented from achieving their goals.
Overall, the song is a call to action for people to stand up for what they believe in, and to fight against injustice and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Fried it in the morning
I had to cook my own food and I fried it in the morning.
Stewed it for lunch, yeah
I stewed my food for lunch.
Roasted it for dinner
I roasted my food for dinner.
And when I wouldn't eat it they said I was a sinner
When I refused to eat my food, people judged me.
First day I come home and say 'Rastafari'
The moment I came home and said 'Rastafari.'
You would a-think it was a funeral, yeah
My family acted as if someone had died.
The way my people start to cry
My family started to cry and mourn my decisions.
The next day I'll be ok, some ital cooking
The next day I'll be okay as long as I cook ital food.
Everyone was looking, yeah
Everyone stared at me as if I was different.
They don't like my style but they love the seasoning
People don't like my choices, but they enjoy the results.
Uptown rebel, fight for a cause
I'm an uptown rebel fighting for a cause.
Uptown rebel, fight for a cause
I'm an uptown rebel fighting for a cause.
'Town rebel, fight for a cause
I'm a rebel from the town fighting for a cause.
Musical rebel, fight for a cause
I'm a musical rebel fighting for a cause.
It's a sad, sad, sad, sad story, they say
People call it a sad story.
A decent man like him hasn't had a chance in seven years
A good man barely had a chance to succeed in seven years.
Two thousand five hundred and fifty-five days
2555 days have passed.
Rebel, catch a call on I
The rebel responded to call on me.
Rebel, catch a so I say, show I
As a rebel, I have to respond to others and show them the way.
Rebel, catch a call on I, call I
I get called, and I answer as a rebel.
Rebel, catch a so I say, so I say
I respond as a rebel and advise that it's a rebellion.
(Rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel, rebel)
Rebel, rebel, rebel...
I say rude they say (rebel)
I say something offensive, and people call me a rebel.
I say wicked drumming (rebel)
People say my drumming is excellent, but I'm still a rebel.
I say bubble piano man (rebel)
I call someone a bubble piano man, and they label me a rebel.
I say lick it gets it (rebel)
I say something unusual, and I'm branded as a rebel.
I say wizard gets it (rebel)
People think of me as a rebel when I say someone is a wizard.
I say Coore piano man (rebel).
I refer to someone as Coore piano man and become a rebel.
Writer(s): Coore Stephen Haldane
Contributed by John P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@lawrencenjawe9875
Great track... And a definition of who the Band are....🎶💥
@PalmtreezNcoolbreeze8084
They dont like my style but they love my seasoning...
@krakmynutz
i wish jamaica went back to this....ACTUAL music. now i understand why parents hate "young people music"
@silvabakx6396
"Next day I deh yookin some ital cookin everyone was lookin yea"
@TheJungleCook
Ya Mon! Just saw these guys at Midwet Reggae Fest. They rocked this song.
@NaturalProd007
BIG TUNE!!
@jahkgdm
2555 days !!!
@blacktigerwu
Jamming!!!
@mariovallejo7831
Massive Jam brah..
@brotherc.w.encino8716
SING IT MAN SING IT SING IT UP! Cat remade this in 1998 4 his solo album of his Name Sake.