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.
Your Playing Us to Close
Third World Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Over the land
More oppression to the have nots is how you
Play your hand
More world fighting is the writing from those
Say they know
And if that's true we know just who
You'll be picking to go
But the beat you are playing to what Jah is
Saying is wrong
And we do recommend that you stop before
It's too far gone
And I just got to say
You're playing us too close
We in the ghettos
You're playing us too close
The jobless and the hungry
You're playing us too close
Filling up more and more with Frustration
You're playing us too close
We're losing our patience
So take heed and do let it be known that
I've told you today
You're playing us much too close yea
All the teaching of JAH bible you don't
Want to obey
But you're writing your own ticket to the price
You will pay
Us you hold hock but the drawback is not
To us alone
Time will make you too a victim before you
See the wrong
And the melody that you are playing is
In the wrong key
For Jah's choirs that sings out to all live
In world harmony
And I just got to say
You're playing us too close
We in the ghettos
You're playing us too close
Red black white brown and yellow poor people
You're playing us too close
The babies are crying
You're playing us too close
Good people are dying
So take heed and do let it be known that
I've told you today
Jah say you're playing us much too close
Now when I was just a little boy my grandfather
Use to say to me,
The lyrics of Third World's song "Your Playing Us to Close" speak to the oppression of the poor and underprivileged by those in power. The song laments the joblessness, hunger and frustration felt by people in ghettos and impoverished communities who are constantly overlooked by those who hold power. The lyrics suggest that the actions of those in power are informed by a distorted view of the world that is in conflict with the teachings of Jah (the Rastafarian God) and the broader objective of world harmony.
The opening lines of the lyrics paint a picture of a world in which poverty and hunger are rampant, and those in power are only interested in oppressing the poor even further. The cries of the oppressed are ignored by those in power, who are preoccupied with world fighting and the politics of the powerful. The lyrics suggest that this situation is unsustainable, and that those in power will soon find themselves victims of their own actions.
The chorus of the song, "You're playing us too close", suggests that those in power are dangerously close to pushing the poor and oppressed to the brink of rebellion. The repeated use of this phrase throughout the song is meant to emphasize the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to prevent a violent uprising.
Overall, "Your Playing Us to Close" is an indictment of the power structure in society that perpetuates poverty, hunger and oppression, and a call to action to rectify the situation before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
Jobless people starving babies spreading
There are many people who are unemployed and many babies who are hungry and suffering.
Over the land
This is happening all over the country.
More oppression to the have nots is how you Play your hand
The people who have nothing are being treated unfairly and being made to suffer even more.
More world fighting is the writing from those Say they know
People who claim to understand the world are predicting that there will be more conflict.
And if that's true we know just who You'll be picking to go
If there is conflict and people have to leave, the poor and the oppressed will be the ones who suffer the most.
But the beat you are playing to what Jah is Saying is wrong
The message that you are spreading is not in line with Jah's teachings.
And we do recommend that you stop before It's too far gone
We suggest that you stop what you are doing before things get worse.
And I just got to say You're playing us too close
You are causing us harm and we cannot allow you to continue.
We in the ghettos You're playing us too close The jobless and the hungry You're playing us too close Filling up more and more with Frustration You're playing us too close We're losing our patience
People who live in ghettos, those who are unemployed and hungry, and those who are becoming increasingly frustrated are fed up with you causing harm and distress.
So take heed and do let it be known that I've told you today You're playing us much too close yea
Pay attention and understand that I am warning you that what you are doing is causing harm and it needs to stop.
All the teaching of JAH bible you don't Want to obey
You are not following the teachings of Jah's bible.
But you're writing your own ticket to the price You will pay
You will suffer the consequences of your actions.
Us you hold hock but the drawback is not To us alone
You have control over us, but the negative consequences of your actions will not only affect us.
Time will make you too a victim before you See the wrong
Eventually, you will become a victim of your own actions.
And the melody that you are playing is In the wrong key For Jah's choirs that sings out to all live In world harmony
The message that you are spreading is not in tune with Jah's message of world harmony and peace.
Red black white brown and yellow poor people You're playing us too close The babies are crying You're playing us too close Good people are dying
Poor people of every color are suffering, babies are crying, and good people are dying because of your harmful actions.
Jah say you're playing us much too close
Jah is warning you that what you are doing is causing harm.
Now when I was just a little boy my grandfather Use to say to me,
The singer is reminiscing about what their grandfather used to say to them when they were young.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marisol Correa
In Loving Memories Of William Alexander Anthony Clarke
February 6, 1948 ~ "Bunny Rugs" ~ February 2, 2014
~Rest In Internal Peace~
"...Another Star Has Been Plucked From The World
A Star Has Been Taken Home To Heaven
The World Is So Sad And Sorrowful
It Happened On February 2nd 2014
A Day We Will Always Remember!
Never Again To See Him Sing On Stage As His Fans Dances
Never Again To See Bunny Rugs Smile Light Up The Stage
To The Roaring Sound Of His Fans Screaming
"We Love You Bunny Rugs!"
A Brother Has Been Taken Home
But In Our Hearts His Music Will Always Stay
Bunny Rugs Will Now Sing Among The Clouds
And In The Heavens And In Your Memories You
Will Still Hear Him Singing Loud And Proud!..."
Donald The Don
This album shaped my life. Unforgettable memories.
mike wilkins
Big up to Stevie wonder for the lyrics and probably more from this album! The man was a creation genius!
Cornel Spence
Well arranged, conscious lyrics, vocals excellent.....
Michael Caz
Phenomenal band. I've seen them perform live many times. They are all incredible musicians. (Nice guys's too). They are the True Reggae Ambassadors. oNe LovE from NYC
Elon Green
So much respect for this band.
Pablo Bass
Every time I hear this tune I feel empowered... Missing you Brothers
CoachTalia
I'm 26 and I grew up listening to Third World. I saw them at a festival years ago they're an amazing band.
wonderfulchild55
One of the greatest albums ever!
schmatever
Been searching for this extended version for ages... love the dub style ending.... wicked bassline!!
Liz Sweeting
this was my first reggae album in 82!! I still love it!