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).
Sweet & Dandy
Toots & The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama say she must wipe her eye
Papa say she no fi foolish
Like she never been to school at all
It is no wonder
It's a perfect pander
While they were dancing in that bar room last night.
Uncle say he must hold up him head
Aunty say she no fi foolish
Like a no time fi him wedding day
It is no wonder
It's a perfect pander
While they were dancing in that bar room last night.
One pound ten for the wedding cake
Plenty bottle of cola wine
All the people them dress up in a white
Fi go eat out Johnson wedding cake
It is no wonder
It's a perfect pander
While they were dancing in that bar room last night.
The lyrics to Toots & The Maytals' song Sweet & Dandy portray a scene of celebration and joyousness as family and friends gather together to attend a wedding. The first verse describes a moment where a girl named Etty is crying, however, both her mother and father are urging her to stop and wipe her eyes, as they do not want her to seem foolish by crying. The second verse focuses on a man named Johnson who is anxious and nervous before his wedding. Despite his fears, his uncle and aunt remind him that he should hold his head high and not be foolish on his wedding day.
The chorus repeats the line "It is no wonder, it's a perfect pander," which can be interpreted as a way of saying that the wedding is the perfect excuse to party and celebrate. The final verse adds to this as it mentions the wedding cake that costs "one pound ten" and "plenty bottle of cola wine," further emphasizing the festive atmosphere. The line "All the people them dress up in a white" also signifies the importance and significance of the wedding event. The overall tone of the song is upbeat and joyous, further reinforced by its catchy reggae rhythm and Toots Hibbert's soulful vocal delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
Etty in the room a cry
Etty is in the room crying.
Mama say she must wipe her eye
Her mother tells her to wipe her tears.
Papa say she no fi foolish
Her father tells her not to act foolish.
Like she never been to school at all
He implies that she is not acting in a sophisticated manner.
It is no wonder
It is not surprising.
It's a perfect pander
It's just the right thing for the situation.
While they were dancing in that bar room last night.
During the time when they were dancing in the bar room the previous night.
Johnson in the room afret
Johnson is in the room, looking worried.
Uncle say he must hold up him head
His uncle tells him to hold his head up high.
Aunty say she no fi foolish
His aunt advises him not to act foolish.
Like a no time fi him wedding day
She implies that this is an important day for him.
One pound ten for the wedding cake
The cake for the wedding costs one pound and ten shillings.
Plenty bottle of cola wine
There are many bottles of cola wine.
All the people them dress up in a white
Everyone is dressed up in white.
Fi go eat out Johnson wedding cake
To go and eat Johnson's wedding cake.
It is no wonder
It is not surprising.
It's a perfect pander
It's just the right thing for the situation.
While they were dancing in that bar room last night.
During the time when they were dancing in the bar room the previous night.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@redsunlebeau7587
As a Native American from the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming I have alot of appreciation for these Jamaican Legends "Toots and the Maytals"..They possess Immense energetic music aswell as in their soul they are kings of kings From one Native to Another ...✌
@glenbellefonte9620
Hey how are ya hey how are ya
@kaydenpat
Beautifully said!!
@chrisarchard2009
Shout out from Wapiti, Wyoming
@mayalunics4740
Peace and Power brother
@byrondoman4403
@@chrisarchard2009 much love from yaad jamaica
@RalphDratman
One of the most fantastic songs ever, anywhere.
The best of the best.
@cece221091
I love this. This takes me back to blown glass fish and a huge punch bowl n glasses on the bar next to the pineapple shaped ice cube box, whilst sitting on a sofa that’s in the best room that was covered in plastic and the walls all decked out with 3D God pictures. 😂😂😂
@RalphDratman
@@cece221091 Beautiful recollection!
@cece221091
@@RalphDratman we would sneak into the best room at my friends house and play her dads records and one of us was on the lookout duty for her parents coming back from Church because believe me if we got caught we’d all be sorry 😂😂