In Kingston, he met Henry "Raleigh" Gordon and Nathaniel "Jerry" McCarthy, forming a group whose early recordings were attributed to "The Flames" and, possibly, "The Vikings". Having renamed the group the Maytals, the vocal trio recorded their first album, "Never Grow Old - presenting the Maytals", for producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One in 1962-63. With musical backing from Dodd's house band, the legendary Skatalites, the Maytals' close-harmony gospel singing ensured instant success for the 1964 release, overshadowing Dodd's other up-and-coming gospel trio, The Wailers. The original album augmented by studio out-takes from the Studio One sessions was re-released by Heartbeat/Rounder Records in 1997, and is essential listening for Maytals and Skatalites fans.
After staying at Studio One for about two years, the group moved on to do sessions for Prince Buster (released in 1974) before recording their second album produced by Byron Lee in 1965. However, the band's musical career was rudely interrupted in late 1966 when Hibbert was arrested and imprisoned on drugs possession charges.
Following Hibbert's release from jail towards the end of 1967, the band officially changed their name to Toots and the Maytals and began working with Chinese-Jamaican producer Leslie Kong, a collaboration which produced three classic albums and a string of hits throughout the late sixties and early seventies - "Do the Reggay", a 1968 single widely credited with coining the word reggae, "Pressure Drop", "54-46 was my number" and "Monkey Man", the group's first international hit in 1970. The group was featured in one of reggae's greatest breakthrough events - The Harder They Come, the 1972 film and soundtrack starring Jimmy Cliff.
Following Kong's death in 1971, the group continued to record with Kong's former sound engineer, Warwick Lyn; produced by Lyn and Chris Blackwell of Island Records, the group released three best-selling albums, and enjoyed international hits with "Funky Kingston" in 1973 and "Reggae Got Soul" in 1976.
The compositions of Toots & the Maytals (also known as Toots and the Maytals) would be given a second airing in 1978-80 during the reggae-punk and ska revival period in the UK, when the Specials included "Monkey Man" on their 1979 debut album and the Clash produced their version of "Pressure Drop", with other Maytals' covers being recorded by Sublime. Having toured throughout the world for many years, Toots and the Maytals disbanded in the early 1980s, but reformed in the early 90s to continue touring and recording successfully.
The band recently won the 2005 Grammy award for reggae for the album True Love, an album consisting of re-recorded versions of their classics alongside popular and legendary musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards, as well as popular artists today such as No Doubt, Ben Harper, The Roots, and Shaggy.
They also contributed to the album 'Radiodread' (a tribute to Radiohead's OK Computer).
Don't Trouble Trouble
Toots & The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah
I want you to know that I am the man
Who fight for the right, not for the wrong
Going there, I'm growing there
Helping the weak against the strong
I'm supposed to be
Help this man, don't trouble no man
But if you trouble that man it will bring a bam bam
What a bam bam, bam bam
See that? Bam bam
It will bring a bam bam
Can you see that?
Ah
(It will bring a bam bam)
What a bam bam
(What a bam bam)
Can you see that?
(What a bam bam)
Hear what I say
(What a bam bam)
Yeah, hey
(What a bam bam)
(What a bam bam)
This man, don't trouble no man
He know you go to nourish man
This man, don't trouble no man
This man is friend and is trying to trouble no man
That's if you trouble this man
It going to bring a bam bam
What a bam bam
Get a bam bam
The lyrics of Toots & The Maytals's song Don't Trouble Trouble are a call for peace and unity among people. The singer introduces himself as a man who always fights for what is right and is always on the side of the weak against the strong. He pleads with listeners to help their fellow man and not to trouble anyone, but if anyone is troubled, it will bring a "bam bam".
The chorus repeats the phrase "What a bam bam", indicating that a negative action will result in negative consequences. The singer warns that if anyone troubles a man who is doing good, it will only result in chaos and destruction.
The overall message of the song is to live in harmony with others and to always do good. The singer urges listeners to be aware of the consequences of their actions, and to always choose peace over violence.
Overall, the lyrics of Don't Trouble Trouble are a call for people to show empathy towards others and to strive for unity and peace. The song is a reminder that violence only begets violence and that the path of least resistance may not always be the right path.
Line by Line Meaning
Bam, Bam
Expressing excitement or anticipation
I want you to know that I am the man
I need you to understand that I am a person of value
Who fight for the right, not for the wrong
I fight for what is just, not for what is unjust
Going there, I'm growing there
As I face challenges, I am learning and becoming better
Helping the weak against the strong
I am using my strength and resources to aid those who are vulnerable
Soon you will find out the man
In due time, you will recognize who I truly am
I'm supposed to be
The person I am destined to become
Help this man, don't trouble no man
Assist the person who needs help, do not cause trouble for anyone
But if you trouble that man it will bring a bam bam
If you cause harm to that person, there will be consequences
What a bam bam, bam bam
An exclamation to signify a possible altercation or fight
See that? Bam bam
Do you see the potential danger?
It will bring a bam bam
There will be repercussions for your actions
Can you see that?
Are you aware of the possible outcome?
Hear what I say
Pay attention to my words
Yeah, hey
An exclamation to get someone's attention
This man, don't trouble no man
Do not harm this individual
He know you go to nourish man
He understands how to support others
This man is friend and is trying to trouble no man
He is a friend and has no intention of harming anyone
That's if you trouble this man
If you interfere with this person
It going to bring a bam bam
There will be consequences
Get a bam bam
Expect a fight or retribution
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT, RALPHUS HENRY GORDON, NATHANIEL MCCARTHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind