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.
True Confession
U-Roy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dear Mr. Editor, wontcha please
Print my story in your magazine?
Warn all the lovers how a cheating heart
Can only end up in misery
I was a lyin', cheating fool
Treated her so cruel
Broke every rule and that's my
(True confession) she can read the story
(Read it in your magazine) that's my true confession
(True confession) and I'm sorry
(Sorry that I treated her so mean, oh I'm sorry that I treated her mean)
I would call her up and apologize
If I was half the man I should be
But I'm afraid it's too late for that
'Cause I know she wouldn't listen to me
I was a lyin', cheating fool
Treated her so cruel
Broke her heart and made her cry
Broke every rule and that's my
True confession, she can read the story
(Read it in your magazine) a-that's my true confession
(True confession) let her know that I'm
(Sorry that I treated her so mean, oh I'm sorry that I treated her mean)
I would call her up and apologize
If I was half the man I should be
But I'm afraid it's too late for that
'Cause I know she wouldn't listen to me
I was a lyin', cheating fool
Treated her so cruel
Broke her heart and made her cry
Broke every rule and that's my
True confession, she can read the story
(Read it in your magazine) a-that's my true confession
(True confession) let her know that I'm
(Sorry that I treated her so mean, oh I'm sorry that I treated her mean)
In U-Roy's song "True Confession," the singer is writing a plea to a magazine editor to print his story and warn all lovers about the dangers of a cheating heart. He confesses to being a lying and cheating fool who cruelly treated his partner and broke her heart, making her cry. He acknowledges that he only has himself to blame for the situation and that he deserves the consequences of his actions. The singer apologizes to his former partner through the magazine, acknowledging that he knows it is too late for him to make things right as he has lost her trust and she wouldn't listen to him if he tried to make amends.
The song carries a bittersweet and melancholic tone, with the singer carrying the weight of his guilt and regret for his past behavior. Through his confession in the magazine, he hopes to alleviate some of his remorse and perhaps warn others not to make the same mistakes he did. The song provides a sobering reminder of the impact of infidelity and the importance of treating our partners with care and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear Mr. Editor, wontcha please
I'm writing to ask you to publish my story in your magazine.
Print my story in your magazine?
Will you please print my story in your magazine?
Warn all the lovers how a cheating heart
Please warn all the lovers out there how cheating will only lead to misery.
Can only end up in misery
Cheating will only lead to misery.
I was a lyin', cheating fool
I was a person who lied and cheated.
Treated her so cruel
I treated my partner with extreme cruelty.
Broke her heart and made her cry
I caused my partner so much pain that it broke her heart and left her in tears.
Broke every rule and that's my
I broke every rule in our relationship and that's my fault.
(True confession) she can read the story
I'm making a true confession and she can read it in the magazine.
(Read it in your magazine) that's my true confession
My true confession is published in the magazine for everyone to read.
(True confession) and I'm sorry
This is my true confession and I'm expressing my apology.
(Sorry that I treated her so mean, oh I'm sorry that I treated her mean)
I'm sorry for treating my partner so cruelly.
I would call her up and apologize
I wish I could call my partner and apologize for my behavior.
If I was half the man I should be
If I was a better person.
But I'm afraid it's too late for that
I think it's too late to make amends now.
'Cause I know she wouldn't listen to me
I don't think my partner would be willing to forgive me and listen to my apologies.
(True confession) let her know that I'm
My true confession is to convey the message that I'm truly sorry for my actions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Duke Reid, Euwart Beckford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Musa Maiyaki
on Natty Rebel
He is my ace veryclose to my chest.i