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.
SWEET DANDY
Toots and 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, yeah, yeah
Etty in the room a cry
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
Johnson in the room afret
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, yeah, yeah
Yeah there was sweet and dandy
Sweet and dandy
Sweet and dandy
Sweet and dandy
Sweet and dandy
Sweet and dandy
Sweet and dandy
Oh, sweet and dandy
There was sweet and dandy
There was sweet and dandy
There was sweet and dandy
There was sweet and dandy
There was sweet and dandy, sweet and dandy
Sweet and dandy, sweet and dandy
Toots and The Maytals's song "Sweet Dandy" uses a storytelling approach to describe the aftermath of a wedding celebration that took place in a barroom. The song opens with a description of a woman named Etty crying in her room, and her parents advising her to stop being foolish, as if she has never been to school. The lyrics suggest that Etty may have engaged in sexual activity outside of marriage, and her parents are shaming her for it. Similarly, Johnson is also in his room, apparently lost in thought or remorseful, and his family members advise him to hold his head up high and not be foolish. The lyrics suggest that Johnson may be having second thoughts about getting married.
The chorus repeats the phrase "sweet and dandy" multiple times, emphasizing the happiness and positive feelings associated with the wedding celebration. However, the contrast with the verses suggests that there may be underlying tensions and conflicts within the community. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, suggesting that even in the midst of difficulties and troubled relationships, there are still moments of joy and celebration to be cherished.
Overall, "Sweet Dandy" is a commentary on social expectations and sexual morality within a Jamaican context. The song suggests that there are rigid standards for behavior and respectability, but that these norms can be challenged or subverted in the context of a community celebration. The lyrics also suggest that there may be inequalities or power imbalances within these relationships, as parents and other family members are shown exerting authority over their children.
Line by Line Meaning
Etty in the room a cry
Etty is crying in the room
Mama say she must wipe her eye
Her mother says she should wipe her tears away
Papa say she no fi foolish
Her father says she shouldn't be foolish
Like she never been to school at all
As if she never went to school
It is no wonder
It's not surprising
It's a perfect pander
It's a perfect situation
While they were dancing in that bar room last night
While they were dancing in the bar last night
Johnson in the room afret
Johnson is anxious in the room
Uncle say he must hold up him head
His uncle says he must hold his head up high
Aunty say she no fi foolish
His aunt says he should not be foolish
Like a no time fi him wedding day
As if it's not his wedding day
One pound ten for the wedding cake
The wedding cake 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
All the people are dressed in white
Fi go eat out Johnson wedding cake
To go and eat Johnson's wedding cake
While they were dancing in that bar room last night, yeah, yeah
While they were dancing in the bar last night
There was sweet and dandy
There was something good and enjoyable
Oh, sweet and dandy
Oh, something sweet and nice
There was sweet and dandy, sweet and dandy
There was something sweet and enjoyable
Sweet and dandy, sweet and dandy
Something sweet and nice
Sweet and dandy, sweet and dandy
Something sweet and enjoyable
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 😂😂