U-Roy's musical career began in 1961 when he began DJing at various sound systems, eventually working with King Tubby. Tubby was then experimenting with his equipment, in the process of inventing dub music. With U-Roy as his most prominent DJ, King Tubby's new sound became extraordinarily popular and U-Roy became a Jamaican celebrity. He recorded Dynamic Fashion Way, his first recording, in 1969 for Keith Hudson and then worked with almost every producer of the island: Lee Perry, Peter Tosh, Bunny Lee, Phil Pratt, Sonia Pottinger, Rupie Edwards, Alvin Ranglin and Lloyd Daley.
In 1970, Jamaican singer John Holt became enamoured of U-Roy's technique. Working with Duke Reid, U-Roy's fame grew through a series of singles, including Wake the Town and "Wear You to the Ball".
U-Roy's success continued throughout the 1970s, most famously with the album Dread in a Babylon with its iconic picture of him disappearing in a cloud of cannabis smoke while holding an enormous pipe, and a song called Chalice in the Palace, fantasising about smoking with Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace. He had become one of the island's biggest stars by the early 1980s, also garnering significant acclaim in the United Kingdom. His latest album is 2000's Serious Matter.
Attention
U-Roy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These words like daggers leaving deep lacerations
With no remorse it starts a theme of inhumanity
One that will carry on and fuel all our self-loathing
This begs the question: "is this inherent or learned with time?"
Is our own negligence the reason we all feel confined?
Though all our answers to our questions lie in perfect view
We seem content to stare through glass we know is skewed
There's no trust, no empathy, all boundaries have dissolved
Free to speak, free to damage, no one tells us we're wrong
With no light in the distance, hope fades into disdain
We are all so indifferent, gravis est in terra nostra
Never will I stoop down that low, never compromise my own soul
Never become one of the herd, it's my own voice I'll use what I have earned
Virtue has been laid to rest
The lyrics of U-Roy's song "Attention" speak to the destructive power of words filled with hatred and the impact they have on human relationships and society as a whole. The words are depicted as daggers that can inflict deep wounds, symbolizing the way in which hateful language can cause lasting pain and division. The absence of remorse in using such words highlights the theme of inhumanity, suggesting that this behavior perpetuates and fuels self-loathing within individuals and communities.
The lyrics also pose a thought-provoking question: is this inclination towards hatred inherent in human nature or is it something that is learned over time? It questions whether our own negligence and lack of accountability contribute to the feeling of confinement that is prevalent in society. Despite the fact that the answers to these questions are readily available, the lyrics remark on the tendency of people to ignore the truth, preferring to look through a distorted lens.
Furthermore, the song explores the breakdown of trust, empathy, and boundaries in society. It reflects on how the freedom to express oneself has led to a lack of consideration for others, as no one seems to acknowledge or admit when they are wrong. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness, as the absence of a guiding light in the distance gives way to growing disdain. The indifference and apathy displayed by individuals results in a heavy burden on society, represented by the Latin phrase "gravis est in terra nostra," which translates to "the burden is heavy upon our land."
Overall, the song "Attention" calls for introspection and urges listeners to reject the path of hatred, cruelty, and indifference. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's own integrity and using their voice to spread positivity and understanding, instead of becoming part of the destructive herd.
Line by Line Meaning
The words you speak consist of nothing but hatred
Your speech is filled with pure animosity and hostility
These words like daggers leaving deep lacerations
Your words have a cutting and painful effect, causing profound wounds
With no remorse it starts a theme of inhumanity
Without any regret, it initiates a pattern of cruelty and lack of compassion
One that will carry on and fuel all our self-loathing
This pattern will continue and intensify our own feelings of self-hatred
This begs the question: 'is this inherent or learned with time?'
This raises the important question of whether this behavior is innate or acquired over time
Is our own negligence the reason we all feel confined?
Does our own neglect contribute to the sense of restriction and limitation we experience?
Though all our answers to our questions lie in perfect view
Despite having clear answers to our inquiries readily available
We seem content to stare through glass we know is skewed
We appear satisfied to look through a distorted lens, even though we are aware it is flawed
There's no trust, no empathy, all boundaries have dissolved
There is a lack of trust, empathy, and all boundaries have disintegrated
Free to speak, free to damage, no one tells us we're wrong
We have the freedom to speak and cause harm without anyone correcting us
With no light in the distance, hope fades into disdain
In the absence of any hope or optimism, it transforms into contempt
We are all so indifferent, gravis est in terra nostra
We are all incredibly apathetic, burdened by the weight of our own existence
Never will I stoop down that low, never compromise my own soul
I will never lower myself to such depths, nor will I sacrifice my own integrity
Never become one of the herd, it's my own voice I'll use what I have earned
I will never conform to the masses, instead, I will utilize my own voice and the knowledge I have acquired
Virtue has been laid to rest
Goodness and moral excellence have been permanently abandoned
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Ryan Mullin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Musa Maiyaki
on Natty Rebel
He is my ace veryclose to my chest.i