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).
Never Grow Old
Toots & The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I will never grow old
I'll never grow old
'Cause I walk and I walk
And I talk and I talk
I search until I found a way
I will never grow old
I'll never grow old
The lyrics to Toots & The Maytals' song "Never Grow Old" speak to the idea of eternal youth, both physically and mentally. The opening line references several influential musicians in the history of Jamaican music: Terry Hall, who was a member of the ska band The Specials; U-Roy, a pioneer of the "toasting" style of reggae vocals; and The Skatalites, a band credited with helping to create the ska genre. By invoking these artists, the song suggests that their contributions to music have kept them young at heart.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I'll never grow old," emphasizing the desire to remain young and vibrant. The lyrics suggest that this can be achieved through persistence and determination, as the singer says he will search until he finds a way to maintain his youth. The repetition of the word "never" at the end of the chorus further emphasizes the singer's commitment to staying young.
Line by Line Meaning
With Terry Hall, you-Roy and the Skatalites
I'll remain youthful in spirit despite the passing of time, aided by the company of reggae legends Terry Hall, You-Roy, and the Skatalites.
I will never grow old
My vibrant outlook on life will never be overshadowed by age.
I'll never grow old
I'll maintain a youthful heart and mind for all of eternity.
'Cause I walk and I walk
I stay active physically and mentally to keep my energy and zest for life.
And I talk and I talk
I enjoy socializing and exchanging ideas with friends, always learning and growing.
I search until I found a way
I am curious and determined to discover new paths and experiences in life.
I will never grow old
My youthful spirit will remain with me forever.
I'll never grow old
No matter what obstacles I face, my youthful energy will always be present.
I'll never never never never never
My youthful spirit will never fade or be extinguished.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARETHA FRANKLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bryan Beardsley
Woke up to the news of Mr. Hibbert passing. This was the first album that came to mind. Respect 🙏
Serena Atkins
🔥🔥🔥 These guys sang their hearts out!
Reeva Cameron
Another great icon has transitioned... Rest in peace Mr Hibbert (Toots).
Eugene
Wow, I enjoy Reggae but never heard of Toots, this is their first album. RIH Toots and I will listen to this album in tribute.
willie luncheonette
@kate the bionic uterus Toots never recorded any rock steady. The Maytals did cut a few songs in that style.
Bison Billy
@kate the bionic uterus well said
northern lights
@kate the bionic uterus WOW look at you! You saved me a google search
kate the bionic uterus
toots helped create reggae and actually named the music with his hit 1968 song “Do the Reggay” and the rest is history, ska, rocksteady, reggae is all toots, he had the first international reggae hit... Toots is more important to reggae music than bob marley & the wailers
C Cribbs
I am overjoyed this was recovered from whatever hiding place it had found itself in. Thank you
C Cribbs
Listening to this album on x 0.75 speed is recommended