began as a sound system DJ in 1961, spinning records for the Doctor Dickies set, later known as Dickies Dynamic, in such well-known Jamaican venues as Victoria Pier, Foresters Hall and Emmett Park. His inspiration was the DJ Winston Count Machuki, who worked for Coxsone Dodd and subsequently on Prince Buster's Voice Of The People sound system. By the mid-60s he was DJ for Sir George The Atomic, based around Maxfield Avenue in Kingston. Around 1967 he began to work with King Tubby as DJ for his Home Town Hi-Fi. From this association developed the whole modern DJ style; Tubby's work at Duke Reid's studio, where he was disc-cutter, led him to discover dub. He found that by dropping out the vocal track and remixing the remaining rhythm tracks he created new �versions� of much-loved tunes. He began to record a series of special acetate recordings or dub plates for exclusive use on his sound system. The space left by the absent vocal tracks enabled U-Roy to improvise his own jive-talk raps or toasts when the sound system played dances. The effect in the dancehall was immediate and electrifying. In 1969 U-Roy was invited to play for Dodd's Down Beat sound system, playing the number 2 set; the number 1 set had King Stitt as DJ. U-Roy became dissatisfied with playing the latest Coxsone music only after Stitt had first exposed it to dance patrons, and returned to Tubby's. He then began his recording career in full, recording two discs for Lee Perry, Earth's Rightful Ruler and OK Corral, before moving to producer Keith Hudson, for whom he made the outstanding Dynamic Fashion Way.
U-Roy then began recording for Duke Reid, using as backing tracks Reid's rocksteady hits from 1966-67; their success was unprecedented. His first record for Reid, Wake The Town, which used Alton Ellis� Girl I've Got A Date as backing, immediately soared to the top of both Jamaican radio charts. His next two releases, Rule The Nation and Wear You To The Ball, soon joined it. These three releases held the top three positions in the Jamaican charts for 12 weeks during early 1970. Other sound system DJs were quick to follow U-Roy, including Dennis Alcapone and Scotty. The radio stations refused to play DJ music just to give singers a chance, so big was the demand. U-Roy recorded 32 tracks for Reid, in the process versioning almost every rocksteady hit issued on the label and releasing two albums. By 1973 he was recording for other producers, including Alvin Ranglin, Bunny Lee, Glen Brown and Lloyd Charmers as well as self-productions. However, the rise of the next DJ generation including Big Youth signalled the partial eclipse of U-Roy. In 1975 he made a series of albums for producer Prince Tony Robinson which were leased to Virgin Recordsin the UK, wherein the DJ revisited Reid's earlier hits in the then prevalent rockers style. He appeared at the London Lyceum in August 1976, backed by a band featuring Channel One stalwarts Sly Dunbar (bass) and Ansell Collins (organ). He operated his own sound system, Stur-Gav, featuring Ranking Joe and selector Jah Screw. When they left after the sound system was broken up during the turbulent 1980 Jamaican election, it was rebuilt with new DJs Charlie Chaplin and Josey Wales, and Inspector Willie as selector. U-Roy continued to record sporadically throughout the '80s, recording Hustling, a single for Gussie Clarke, in 1984, and two excellent albums for DJs turned producers Tapper Zukie and Prince Jazzbo, in 1986 and 1987 respectively. In 1991 he played a successful �revival� concert at the Hammersmith Palais, London. U-Roy is the man who is responsible for putting the DJ on the map, both as recording artist in Jamaica and as a major indirect influence on the US rappers. As such his importance is immense. source: http://u-roy.20m.com/
The Tide Is High
U Roy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna be your number one
I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that, no oh oh oh
It's not the things you do, that really hurts me bad
But it's the way you do the things, you do to me
I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that no oh oh oh
I'm gonna be your number one
Number one, number one
Every man wants you to be his girl
But I'll wait my dear 'till it's my turn
I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that, no oh oh oh
Every man wants you to be his girl
But I'll wait my dear 'till it's my turn
I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that, no oh oh oh
The tide is high but I'm holding on
I'm gonna be your number one
The tide is high but I'm holding on
I'm gonna be your number one
The tide is high but I'm holding on
I'm gonna be your number one
In U Roy's song The Tide Is High, a man expresses his commitment to his love interest despite the challenges they may face. He notes that he is not one to give up easily, even when faced with difficult circumstances. He acknowledges that it is not necessarily the actions of the person he loves that hurt him, but rather the way those actions are carried out. He is patient and willing to wait for his turn to be with her, despite the fact that other men may also desire her.
The phrase "the tide is high" can be interpreted in different ways. It can refer to the actual ocean tide, representing the ups and downs of life, or to a metaphorical high point in the relationship. The repetition of the chorus, "I'm gonna be your number one," emphasizes the man's dedication and determination.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was originally written by John Holt, a Jamaican singer-songwriter, and recorded by his group The Paragons in 1967. It was later covered by Blondie in 1980, becoming a huge hit and reaching number one on the charts in several countries. U Roy's version, released in 1971, is often considered the first reggae cover of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The tide is high but I'm holding on
Despite the challenges and difficulties, I am persevering and not giving up
I'm gonna be your number one
I will do everything in my power to be the most important person in your life
I'm not the kinda man who gives up just like that, no oh oh oh
I am determined and strong-willed, unwilling to quit easily
It's not the things you do, that really hurts me bad
The actions you take are not the sole source of my pain and heartache
But it's the way you do the things, you do to me
The manner in which you treat me is what troubles and upsets me the most
Every man wants you to be his girl
Many people desire to be with you and have a relationship
But I'll wait my dear 'till it's my turn
I will remain patient and bide my time until I can have my chance with you
The tide is high but I'm holding on
Despite whatever challenges come my way, I will persevere
I'm gonna be your number one
I am intent on being the most important person in your life
Number one, number one
Emphasizing the importance of being the top priority in someone's life
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Gad
There is only one U-Roy. He was completely original and remained the King right up til the Lord took him home.
Thank you for a lifetime of amazing music Ewart. Rest in peace eternally
rollingdominoesman
love love Love it !
zilst mennekeb
great song, from the album: rasta ambassador, by U roy
Steve Gad
Amazing album.
Roy Theeman
You have got to listen to the superior 12" mix with the late great Gregory Isaacs it is awesome. As usual Gregory is smooth as cream and let you listen to this cut like hearing it for the first time, and no one can flash it and dash it like the icon U. Roy it is a rare cut no one can touch it. Peace..........................
ishabaka
U-Roy tell dem.
NorthyRamone1973
Rockers.
lu divine
LOVE LOOOOOOOOOOVE JE VEUX UNE BAGUETTE MAGIQUE POUR REVENIIIIIIIIIRRRR LA OU G TOUT LAISSER HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
bakkendorfff
well i heard this was the original not for me though :)
Steve Gad
Paragons, it was. Or so I believe.