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.
It's No Use
Toots and The Maytals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How did I guess that the long loneliness was past.
I merely looked at you and I knew that I knew.
It's you or no one for me
I'm sure of this each time we kiss
Now and forever and when forever's done
You'll find that you are still the one
Please don't say no to my plea
'Cause if you do then I'm all through
There's this about you
My world's an empty world without you
It's you or no one for me
Please don't say no to my plea
'Cause if you do then I'm all through
There's this about you
My world's an empty world without you
It's you or no one for me
For me
The lyrics of Toots and The Maytals's song "It's No Use" express a deep sense of certainty and connection in a romantic relationship. The singer reflects on how they were able to know, without a doubt, that the warmth and happiness they were experiencing would endure. They intuitively understood that the long period of loneliness they had endured was finally over simply by looking at their partner. The lyrics convey a strong sense of conviction and devotion to this particular person, emphasizing that it's either this person or no one else for them.
Furthermore, the lyrics highlight the significance of each kiss shared between the singer and their partner, solidifying their belief that this relationship is meant to last. The repetition of the line "Now and forever and when forever's done, you'll find that you are still the one" emphasizes the timelessness of their love and their belief that their partner will always be the one for them.
The plea made by the singer in the second verse adds an element of vulnerability to the song. They express their fear of rejection, emphasizing the importance of the other person's acceptance of their plea. The dependence on the other person is evident in the line "My world's an empty world without you." The lyrics suggest that without their partner, the singer's life lacks purpose and meaning.
Overall, the song "It's No Use" explores the theme of unwavering love and the sense of completeness that a romantic relationship can bring. It conveys a deep connection between two individuals, emphasizing the belief that they are meant to be together and that without each other, their lives would be incomplete.
Line by Line Meaning
How did I know that the warmth of the glow would last.
I had an intuitive feeling that the happiness and vibrancy in our relationship would endure.
How did I guess that the long loneliness was past.
Through some fortunate insight, I anticipated that the prolonged feeling of isolation had finally ended.
I merely looked at you and I knew that I knew.
By simply gazing into your eyes, I realized with absolute certainty that my understanding was accurate.
It's you or no one for me
There is no alternative or substitute for you in my life; it's solely you who holds my heart.
I'm sure of this each time we kiss
Every time our lips meet, I am unequivocally convinced of our deep connection and love.
Now and forever and when forever's done
From this moment onward and for eternity, even when time ceases to exist,
You'll find that you are still the one
You will always discover that you remain the singular and irreplaceable person in my life.
Please don't say no to my plea
I implore you not to refuse my request or desire.
'Cause if you do then I'm all through
If you were to reject me, it would lead to the complete end of my emotional well-being.
There's this about you
There is an indescribable quality or essence that pertains specifically to you.
My world's an empty world without you
In the absence of your presence, my entire existence becomes hollow and devoid of meaning.
It's you or no one for me
Once again, I emphasize that there is no other choice or possibility for me, it can only be you.
For me
This sentiment is deeply personal and uniquely applicable to my own experiences and emotions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adam MacDougall
Toots is living legend. This is a great album. He sings with such passion and honesty, like Otis Redding. His phrasing is also really unique. Seeing him live the first time was a spiritual experience like going to church!
Anita Camilo
Como conheci essa maravilhosidade só agora??