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.
Just Like That
Toots and 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
Toots and The Maytals's song Just Like That is a bittersweet ballad about a lover leaving unexpectedly. The lyrics begin with the repetition of "Just Like That" which signifies the suddenness of the situation. The singer's lover is seen walking out of his room while packing her things including her jewelry and rings, which indicates that she is leaving for good. However, despite the pain of seeing her go, the singer is accepting of her decision and assures her that he won't stop her.
Throughout the verses, the main message conveyed is acceptance and love. He tells her that he won't say no to her leaving because he loves her enough to give her space to make decisions that are right for her. The chorus "Just Like That" comes back after each verse, as a reminder of how sudden and painful the break-up is, yet the singer is willing to let go with grace. The final verse is the most poignant of all, as the singer expresses his feelings of missing her, but also acknowledges that she doesn't want to stay.
Overall, the song is a beautiful and emotional portrayal of love and loss, with its heartfelt lyrics and soulful vocals.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Expression of excitement or agreement
Just Like That
Without warning or preparation
Just Like That
Without warning or preparation
You are walking out of my room, just like that
Leaving without explanation or closure
Just Like That (x2)
Repeated emphasis on suddenness of departure
Saw you packing up your things
Witnessed preparations for leaving
All your jewelries and rings
All personal possessions being taken
So if you have to go I won't say no
Permission to leave; accepting the inevitable
Saw you packing up your things
Witnessed preparations for leaving
All your diamonds and rings
All personal valuables being taken
But if you have to go I won't say no
Permission to leave; accepting the inevitable
I say... Just Like That (x2)
Reiterating suddenness of departure
Want you to know
Expression of emotional attachment
That I love you so
Confirmation of emotional attachment
So if you have to go I won't say no
Permission to leave; accepting the inevitable
I miss you away
Feeling of absence or loss
But you don't want to stay
Acknowledgement of the other's desire to leave
So if you have to go I won't say no
Permission to leave; accepting the inevitable
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