Toots and The Maytals are from Kingston, Jamaica. It was the producer Byron Lee who 1971 renamed them Toots & the Maytals. Frederick "Toots" Hibbert, the leader of the group and the lead singer, was born in May Pen in the Parish of Clarendon, Jamaica. He was the youngest of seven children. He grew up singing gospel music in a church choir, but moved to Kingston in 1961 at the age of sixteen.
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 drug possession charges.
Following Hibbert's release from jail towards the end of 1967, the band 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" 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.
Toots and the Maytals' compositions 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.
In 2005, the band won a Grammy award for best reggae album for True Love, consisting of re-recorded versions of their classics alongside legendary musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards, as well as popular artists such as No Doubt, Ben Harper, The Roots, and Shaggy.
They also contributed to the Easy Star All-Stars album 'Radiodread' (a dub tribute to Radiohead's OK Computer).
In 2016 Toots and the Maytals announced a return to the stage with their first tour in 3 years,[35] and on June 15 at The Observatory North Park in San Diego the group returned to the stage for the first time since 2013.
In 2017 Toots and the Maytals played Coachella Fest April 16 and 23 at 4:20 pm. They became the second reggae-based group to perform at the Coachella festival, after Chronixx in 2016.
In 2018, Toots and the Maytals launched a 50th anniversary tour with concert appearances in North America from April to August, moving to dates in the UK starting in October.
On July 25, 2018 Toots and the Maytals debuted an original song entitled "Marley" live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and also played the classic "Funky Kingston".
On August 24, 2018 Toots and the Maytals performed at Lockn’ Festival in Arrington, Virginia, where guest Taj Mahal accompanied them on the song “Monkey Man”.
Frontman "Toots" Hibbert died on 12 September 2020.
Celia
Toots and The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh Celia, you Celia
I left my home for four long years
And now I come back home
The woman I left in charge of my house
Has gone with everything
She took my knife and fork
And everything that's necessary
She's gone with everything
She took my bed, she took my spread
She took my pillows too
And everything that's necessary
She's gone with everything
Yeah Celi-Celi-Celia
Celia, Celia
Celia, oh Celia
Celia, oh Celia
I left my home for four long years
And now I come back home
The woman I left in charge of my home
She's gone with everything
She took my shoes, took my socks
Took my pants and shirt
And everything that's necessary
She's gone with everything
Oh Celia, oh Celia
Celia, Celia
Oh Celia, Celia
Celia, Celia
Oh Celia, oh Celia
I left my home for four long years
And now I come back home
The woman I left in charge of my house
She's gone with everything
She took my bed, she took my spread
She took my pillows, too
Ah everything that's necessary
She's gone with everything
Celia, oh Celia
Oh Celia, Celia
Oh Celia, oh Celia
Oh Celia, Celia
The song "Celia" by Toots and The Maytals appears to be about a man who has been away from his home for four long years and upon returning, he discovers that the woman he left in charge of his belongings has taken everything. He lists various items that have been taken from him, including his pop (which could be soda, beer or any other form of drink), plates, knife, fork, shoes, socks, pants, shirt, bed, spread, and pillows. The repeated use of the name "Celia" suggests that this is the name of the woman who has taken his possessions.
However, it is important to note that the lyrics are not entirely clear as to what has taken place. It could be that Celia has stolen the items out of spite, or it could be that she was allowed to take them as part of a prior arrangement. It is also possible that the song is meant to be humorous or satirical, with exaggerated descriptions of what has been taken.
Overall, "Celia" is a catchy tune with a playful rhythm and an infectious chorus. The emphasis on the name "Celia" lends a sense of urgency and desperation to the lyrics, and the repetition of certain phrases ("she's gone with everything") helps to create a memorable hook. The song has a light-hearted feel to it, even as its subject matter is somewhat serious.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Celia, Celia
Addressing the woman named Celia in a repetitive and friendly manner.
Oh Celia, you Celia
Continuing to address Celia in a familiar way.
I left my home for four long years
Explaining the absence of the singer from his home.
And now I come back home
Describing the singer's return home.
The woman I left in charge of my house
Referring to the person who was entrusted with taking care of the singer's home while he was away.
Has gone with everything
Expressing the singer's shock and dismay at discovering that the person in charge has taken everything from the home.
She took my pop, she took my plates
Enumerating some of the specific items that the person in charge took from the home.
She took my knife and fork
Further specifying the items that were taken.
And everything that's necessary
Implying that the person in charge took everything that was needed to perform basic functions and maintain the home.
She took my bed, she took my spread
Listing more of the specific items taken from the home, including items related to sleeping.
She took my pillows too
Further specifying the kind of bedding that was taken.
Yeah Celi-Celi-Celia
Maintaining a friendly and familiar tone while addressing Celia.
Celia, Celia
Addressing Celia again in a repetitive manner.
Celia, oh Celia
Combining a friendly, positive tone with a lament for the lost items and difficult situation.
Celia, oh Celia
Same as above, but repeated for emphasis.
I left my home for four long years
Repeating a key detail about the singer's absence from the home.
And now I come back home
Repeating a key detail about the singer's return home.
The woman I left in charge of my home
Repeating the same phrase used earlier to refer to the caretaker of the home.
She's gone with everything
Repeating the description of what happened to the items in the home when the caretaker left.
She took my shoes, took my socks
Refocusing on the specific items that were taken, this time including clothing and footwear.
Took my pants and shirt
Continuing to describe specific pieces of clothing that were taken.
Ah everything that's necessary
Using an interjection to emphasize the singer's emotional state in response to the loss of so many important items.
She's gone with everything
Repeating the description of the caretaker's actions and their consequences on the singer's home.
Celia, oh Celia
Returning to the combination of friendly address and lament used earlier in the song.
Oh Celia, Celia
Repeating the same phrase with a slightly different emphasis for rhythm and emotion.
Oh Celia, oh Celia
Repeated again for emphasis and effect.
Oh Celia, Celia
One final repetition of the familiar phrase used to address the woman named Celia.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, BROADWAY MUSIC CORPORATION
Written by: FREDERICK HIBBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@WyattC100
Hey
Celia, Celia
Oh Celia, you Celia
I left my home for four long years
And now I come back home.
The woman I left in charge of my house
Has gone with everything.
She took my pots.
She took my plates.
She took my knife and fork.
And everything that's necessary
She's gone with everything.
She took my bed.
She took my spread.
She took my pillows too.
And everything that's necessary
She's gone with everything.
Yeah Celi-Celi-Celia, Celia, Celia
Celia, oh Celia
Celia, oh Celia
I left my home for four long years
And now I come back home.
The woman I left in charge of my home
She's gone with everything.
She took my shoes,
Took my socks,
Took my pants and shirt.
And everything that's necessary
She's gone with everything.
Oh Celia
Oh Celia
Celia, Celia
Oh Celia
Celia
Celia, Celia
Oh Celia, oh Celia
I left my home for four long years
And now I come back home.
The woman I left in charge of my house
She's gone with everything.
She took my bed.
She took my spread.
She took my pillows, too.
Ah everything that's necessary
She's gone with everything.
Celia, oh Celia
Oh Celia, Celia
Oh Celia, oh Celia
Oh Celia, Celia
@ericcantona1699
RIP Toots. You've given me so much joy over the years. That won't change
@uncannyk8532
this track is so melodious.. peppy ... foot tapping .... so simple yet so hypnotic!
@jazzmasterjesus
i just started watching weeds recently... when they catch celia, and this comes on, I nearly jumped thru my roof... big ups for toots!
@Dunstire
The man who invented the term 'reggae' still going strong!
@adamruiz5789
Ahhh college. Heard this in a head shop and have been a devoted toots fan ever since! Great times with some great friends!
@enricomuratore9892
love always Toots. Jah live children
@christopherjohnquilla6144
I really love this song. . I miss Philippine bread. .:)
@zayed7210
weeds brought you guys here too?
@pamelagibson1272
Ye
@szollathpal
Zayed yep