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).
Get Up Stand Up
Toots & The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get up, stand up now
Get up now, get up now
Get up, stand up now
Get up now, get up, stand up now
Get up, stand up
I say get up, stand up
I was going to see my love
I was going
Get ready brother
Get ready sister
I was going to see my love
I was flowing
Get on the morning train,
For the evening train will be too late
Get on the morning train
For the evening train will be too late
That won't help
Where is the evening train?
That won't help
Where is the evening train?
Sitting in the broiling sun
Waiting for the day to come
Wishing for the night to come
That won't help
Sitting int he broiling sun
That won't help
Wishing for the night to come
That won't help
Get up now, get up now
Get up now
Get up, stand up now
Sitting inside a soul
Crying every day for more
Sitting inside a soul
Crying every day for more
But that won't help
Crying every day for more
That won't help
Fire burning in the soul
Burning out of control
Fire burning in the soul
Burning out of control
That won't help
The lyrics of Toots & The Maytals' "Get Up Stand Up" is an invitation to action. The repetition of the phrase "Get up, stand up now" is a call to arms for listeners to get up from their current situation and fight for their rights. The song urges people to take action and not sit idly by while injustice reigns. It presents a picture of suffering and unfulfilled hopes and desires, which ultimately tells the listener that waiting for change to occur on its own is not an option. The lyrics urge people to find the strength within themselves to be the agents of change they so desperately need.
The song's first verse seems to be a tale of a person on a journey to see their lover. However, the metaphorical meaning behind this is that the lovers are really the people and the love is the hope and the dream of equality and justice. The lines "get ready brother, get ready sister" indicate a message of united action by everyone who desires justice. The chorus of the song is an invitation to stand up and fight for what is right. It's a call for people to take action now and not to wait for tomorrow, as it may be too late. The verses highlight the pain and suffering one may endure while fighting for their rights, but the chorus emphasizes that there should be no excuse for inaction.
In summary, "Get Up Stand Up" by Toots & The Maytals is a powerful message urging listeners to take action and fight for their rights. It's a call for unity, strength, and resolve to stand up in the face of suffering and injustice. The song emphasizes the need for urgency in the fight for justice and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up now,
Urge to take action immediately
Get up, stand up now
Take a stand for your rights and beliefs
Get up now, get up now
Don't waste time, act now
Get up, stand up now
Don't be a bystander, be an active participant in creating change
Get up now, get up, stand up now
Reinforcing urgency and importance of taking action
I say get up, stand up
Repeating the call to action
I was going to see my love
Narrative introduction
I was going
Describing purposeful action
Get ready brother
Encouraging others to prepare for action
Get ready sister
Encouraging others to prepare for action
I was going to see my love
Narrative reminder
I was flowing
Describing sense of purpose and direction
Get on the morning train,
Encouraging timely and efficient action
For the evening train will be too late
Emphasizing the importance of acting quickly
That won't help
Discouraging ineffective or passive actions
Where is the evening train?
Questioning unnecessary waiting or delay
Sitting in the broiling sun
Describing uncomfortable and stifling conditions
Waiting for the day to come
Narrative description of passive waiting
Wishing for the night to come
Expressing dissatisfaction with current conditions
Sitting in the broiling sun
Describing uncomfortable and stifling conditions
That won't help
Discouraging ineffective or passive actions
Wishing for the night to come
Expressing dissatisfaction with current conditions
That won't help
Discouraging ineffective or passive actions
Get up now, get up now
Reinforcing urgency and importance of taking action
Get up now
Urge to take action immediately
Get up, stand up now
Take a stand for your rights and beliefs
Sitting inside a soul
Describing inner turmoil
Crying every day for more
Expressing dissatisfaction with current conditions
Sitting inside a soul
Describing inner turmoil
Crying every day for more
Expressing dissatisfaction with current conditions
But that won't help
Discouraging ineffective or passive actions
Fire burning in the soul
Describing inner passion and drive
Burning out of control
Describing intense and all-consuming drive
Fire burning in the soul
Describing inner passion and drive
Burning out of control
Describing intense and all-consuming drive
That won't help
Discouraging ineffective or passive actions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Frederick Hibbert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bickliffe Oba
Rest in peace and mercy, Toots Frederick Hibbert. You made your time on earth worthwhile!
Stacey Rata
He will be jammin with the Mighty Angels of JAH Gone but never forgotten
Darlene Calixte
Toots is an amazing man spiritual man you can hear it and feel it in his music
Cass Tutsch
Favorite Toots track right here! What a vibe!
Marc Lavigne
Après toutes ces années, tu reste toujours une inspiration pour moi, toi qui sait si bien habiter l'espace avec ta voix magnifique... Et soudain la magie s'installe, une piste de danse apparait sous mes pieds... Et je rêve d'un paradis, d'une
vibration universelle...
edipo mota simoes
Foi um dos melhores 👏👏👏
susan halperin
this is one of the most treasured and important songs in my life
Joseph Nkitseng
One of the greatest songs off all times. Toots and the Maytals. Been looking for this song all my life.
susan halperin
you are right
William Filer
We used to cover this tune back in the day. I haven't heard it in years. I hear Toots even at Starbucks, sigh, but not this gem.