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).
Just Like That
Toots & The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just Like That
Just Like That
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Just Like That (x2)
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Saw you packing up your things
All your jewelries and rings
So if you have to go
I won't say no
Saw you packing up your things
All your diamonds and rings
But if you have to go
I won't say no
I say...
Just Like That (x2)
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Want you to know
That I love you so
So if you have to go
I won't say no
I miss you away
But you don't want to stay
So if you have to go
I won't say no
The song "Just Like That" by Toots & The Maytals is a heartfelt lamentation of a man who watches his lover walking out of his room and out of his life. He struggles to come to terms with the suddenness and finality of the separation, but ultimately he decides not to resist, accepting her departure without a fight. The first verse sets the scene with the singer watching his lover leave his room, accompanied by the rhythmical repetition of "Just Like That". This repetition emphasizes the abrupt and unexpected nature of her departure and the singer's disbelief and shock.
The second verse describes the woman packing up her things, including her jewelries and rings, emphasizing the permanence of the separation. The singer acknowledges that he loves her and wishes she could stay, but knows deep down that she doesn't want to. Eventually, the singer comes to terms with the fact that he can't make someone love him, and decides to let her go, "I won't say no". Despite the pain and heartbreak of the situation, the song portrays the singer as mature and self-aware, respectful of his lover's decision and unwilling to force her to stay.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah yeah yeah
An expression of excitement and anticipation for a new day or a new experience.
Just Like That
An exclamation of how quickly something unexpected can happen.
Just Like That
Repeating the previous exclamation to emphasize how sudden and unexpected the situation is.
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Expressing the shock and disbelief at the suddenness of the person leaving without any explanation.
Saw you packing up your things
The realization and acknowledgement that the person is leaving and taking their belongings with them.
All your jewelries and rings
The specificity of the items being packed highlights the value and significance of the person leaving and how they are taking a piece of themselves with them.
So if you have to go
Acknowledging that the person leaving may have their own reasons, and that it may be beyond the singer's control.
I won't say no
Despite the hurt and shock of the person leaving, the singer understands and accepts the decision and won't stop them from leaving.
Want you to know
An expression of vulnerability and honesty, conveying the depth of the singer's feelings towards the person leaving.
That I love you so
The depth of emotion is specified, leaving no doubt that the feeling is real and sincere.
I miss you away
The sadness and loneliness is already being felt as the person is leaving.
But you don't want to stay
Despite the singer's love and desire for the person to stay, the person has made up their mind to leave.
So if you have to go
Reiterating the acceptance of the person's decision to leave, but not the desire for them to stay.
I won't say no
Repeated from earlier, but now with more emphasis on the acceptance of their decision, even though it hurts.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
delmar
Just like that, just like that
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Just like that, just like that
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Saw you packing up your things, all your jewels and rings
So if you have to go
I won't say no
Saw you packing up your things, oh, all your diamonds and rings
But if you have to go
I won't say no
I say, just like that, just like that
Just like that
You are walking out of my room, just like that
[Incomprehensible]
Want you to know that I love you so
So if you have to go, if you have to go, if you have to go
I won't say no
No, no, no
I miss you away, but you don't understand
So, if you have to go, if you have to go, if you have to go
I won't say no, won't say no
Just like that, just like that
Just like that
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Just like that, just like that
Just like that
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Vinny Taylor
R.I.P Toots. Love you Sir
Sello Ledwaba
RIP Toots, a life well lived, all the way from Gabon
CLARE ODOLAN
Came straight to this song when I heard Toots had passed away - RIP Toots . Thank you for the music and the memories
Jason
Just like that😢
ETTA MAREE WYMARRA
@CLARE ODOLAN 2a3
Viliame Tiko
Listening to Toots made me realize to appreciate this gentleman who while I was a young boy made me listen to his songs.thanks Dad..💙💚💛💜
Phil McCarthy
One of the greats , such a soulful voice. RIP Toots and thank you for your wonderful music.
The Humble One
Toots' voice weaving, and criss crossing over that beautiful harmonies is just absolutely wonderful!...
Emily Flores- Murillo
This song is so close to my 💜. I started playing it for my baby nephew and he would literally fall asleep! And I would sing 🎤 to him and he would smile adoringly at me. This is our song.
andy d
What a moving song sung by someone with a brilliant voice and band