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.
Natty Rebel
U-Roy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
See the morning sun, the morning sun,
On the hillside.
You gotta travel wide.
Said I'm a living man,
And I've got work to do.
If you're not happy, children,
Then you must be blue,
Must be blue, people say.
I'm a rebel, let them talk,
Soul rebel, talk won't bother me.
I'm a capturer, that'w what they say,
Soul adventurer, night and day.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
Do you hear them lippy.
I'm a capturer, gossip around the corner,
Soul adventurer. How they adventure on me.
But, see the morning sun, the morning sun,
On the hillside.
If you're not living good, travel wide,
You gotta travel wide.
Said I'm a living man,
I've got work to do.
If you're not happy, then you must be blue,
Must be blue, people say.
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
Do you hear me?
I'm a rebel, rebel in the morning.
Soul rebel, rebel at midday time.
The lyrics of U-Roy's "Natty Rebel" explore the themes of rebellion, adventure, and the pursuit of happiness. The song presents the singer as a rebel and a soul adventurer who captures experiences and journeys through life with a steadfast determination. The opening lines convey a sense of optimism and hope as the singer sees the morning sun on the hillside. The line "If you're not living good, travel wide, You gotta travel wide" suggests that the singer believes in broadening one's experiences in order to live a good life.
The next verse emphasizes the singer's identity as a "living man" with work to do. The line "If you're not happy, then you must be blue, Must be blue, people say" implies that happiness is the goal of life, and those who are not happy are seen as deficient in some way. The chorus then restates the singer's identity as a rebel, a capturer, and a soul adventurer. The lines "I'm a rebel, let them talk, Soul rebel, talk won't bother me" suggest that the singer is unfazed by criticism or gossip, and remains true to their own identity and goals.
The final verse of the song repeats the imagery of the morning sun on the hillside, and restates the message of the importance of living well. The repeated refrain of "I'm a rebel, soul rebel" and "Soul adventurer" reinforces the idea that the singer is on a mission of self-discovery and self-improvement, and that this journey is what makes life worth living.
Overall, "Natty Rebel" presents a powerful message of individualism and self-reliance, encouraging listeners to seek out their own paths in life and not be swayed by outside influences. Through its lyrics and catchy rhythm, the song has become a beloved classic of reggae music and a testament to the enduring message of rebellion and adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Natty Rebel/Soul Rebel
I'm a rebel, who is also a soul rebel
I'm a rebel, soul rebel.
I express rebellion against the norm, chosen by soul
I'm a capturer, soul adventurer.
As a capturer, I am an explorer of the soul
See the morning sun, the morning sun, On the hillside.
Appreciate the beauty of nature and all its glory
If you're not living good, travel wide, You gotta travel wide.
If you don't find happiness in one place, find it somewhere else
Said I'm a living man, And I've got work to do.
I acknowledge that I'm alive and I have responsibilities
If you're not happy, children, Then you must be blue, Must be blue, people say.
If you're not happy, then you must be sad
I'm a rebel, let them talk, Soul rebel, talk won't bother me.
As a rebel, I don't care about what people say
I'm a capturer, that'w what they say, Soul adventurer, night and day.
People describe me as a capturer, and I explore the soul day and night
Do you hear them lippy. I'm a capturer, gossip around the corner, Soul adventurer. How they adventure on me.
People talk about me, but I don't care. I explore the soul courageously
I'm a rebel, soul rebel. Do you hear them lippy.
I challenge the status quo, and I don't care about the naysayers
I'm a rebel, rebel in the morning. Soul rebel, rebel at midday time.
I'm a rebel every moment of the day
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Musa Maiyaki
He is my ace veryclose to my chest.i