'Pipe' and 'Bread' teamed up with two other singers after that, Oswald Downes and Norman Davis, and recorded the single "Gold Digger" for producer, Lloyd "Matador" Daley. From there they went on to work with Coxsone Dodd's famous Studio One label recording label, considered the "Motown" of Jamaica.
They recorded a number of singles there, and were also billed as the Classics, in addition to their Wailing Souls name. In the early 70's, the Souls recorded for Bob Marley's Tuff Gong label, as Pipe and The Pipes. There at Tuff Gong they had hits with "Harbor Shark" and "Back Biter". The groups vocal power, and song writing ability has kept the group in the spotlight, and in 1974 the group changed again when Downes and David left and 'Buddy' Haye rejoined. The 'godfather of reggae', Joe Higgs, also worked with the group in the mid-70's, but left to work with Jimmy Cliff as his musical director on tour.
The group entered another era of their careers as they began work with famed producer "Jo Jo" Hookim and his Channel One label. With Hookim, they recorded more classics like "Things and Times," "Joy With Your Heart," and "Very Well." Shortly after in 1976, Rudolph 'Garth' Dennis one of founding members of Black Uhuru, joined the group.
The Souls then started their own label in 1977 called Massive, and hit with their first singles "Bredda Gravilicious" and "Feel The Spirit." In the early 80's the quartet worked with a number of hot producers including Sly and Robbie recording "Old Broom"on their Taxi Label, "Fire House Rock" for "Junjo" Lawes' Volcano Label, and for producer/singer Linval Thompson.
Their touring and recording continued throughout the 80's. After recording these classic tracks for genius producer King Jammy in 1988-89, the group broke up again, but Pipe and Bread have continued the Wailing Souls on their own throughout the 90's recording (two Grammy nominated albums included) and touring worldwide. 'Garth' Dennis rejoined Black Uhuru to work with them in the early/mid 90's and "Buddy" Haye has taken a leave from singing since.
Picky Picky Head
Wailing Souls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Picky-picky head you are natty dread
They used to tease I on the way to school
Down the road I had to act real cool
Calling me names to them it's just a game, whoa yes
One day I know I'm gonna have some fame, whoa oh oh whoay
Picky-picky head go buy new head, them used to say
Picky-picky head you are natty dread, whoa oh oh whoay
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
No one would play, they all stayed away, whoa yes
Julie Brown treat me like a clown (juicy come out from town)
But now I'm getting so big and well known, whoa yes
Have to pay just to get me in town, whoa oh oh whoay
Picky-picky head go buy new head, always teasing me
Picky-picky head you are natty dread, whoa oh oh whoay
Picky-picky head go buy new head, them used to say
Picky-picky head you are natty dread, whoa oh oh whoay
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Who is angry against who?
It's just another name calling game that they play
Words of wisdom and action speaks louder than words
Now you look like a superstar (who you are?)
Them come from near Lord, them come from far
Some a them say them a you long lost friend, whoa yes
But if you go down, you'll never see them again, whoa oh oh whoay
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Picky-picky head go buy new head, them used to say
Picky-picky head you are natty dread, always teasing me
Picky-picky head go buy new head, them used to say
Picky-picky head you are natty dread, whoa oh oh whoay
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Picky-picky head go buy new head, them used to say
Picky-picky head you are natty dread, whoa oh oh whoay
Picky-picky head go buy new head, them used to say
Picky-picky head you are natty dread, whoa oh oh whoay
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
The lyrics of "Picky Picky Head" by Wailing Souls describe the experience of being bullied as a child for having kinky hair, being called names like "picky-picky head." The bullying made the singer feel like an outcast and struggle to fit in. However, as he grows up and becomes successful, his former tormentors come back proclaiming themselves as friends. The song also highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and not changing to please others, as words of wisdom and action speak louder than empty words.
The repetition of the chorus "Picky-picky head go buy new head, picky-picky head you are natty dread" emphasizes the emotional impact the bullying had on the singer. The use of Jamaican Patois in the lyrics, such as "Juicy come out from town" or "Bam-biddle-bam," gives the song a unique cultural flavor.
Line by Line Meaning
Picky-picky head go buy new head
People used to make fun of me for having short hair, teasing me to go buy a wig or get a new hairstyle.
Picky-picky head you are natty dread
They used to call me names like natty dread to make fun of my short hair.
They used to tease I on the way to school
People would make fun of me on the way to school.
Down the road I had to act real cool
I had to act tough and confident to avoid being an easy target for bullies.
Calling me names to them it's just a game, whoa yes
People thought it was funny to call me names, but it was hurtful to me.
One day I know I'm gonna have some fame, whoa oh oh whoay
Despite the bullying, I knew one day I would achieve success and fame.
Bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam, bam-biddle-bam
Repeating rhythm of the song.
No one would play, they all stayed away, whoa yes
Because of the bullying, I was often excluded from social activities.
Julie Brown treat me like a clown (juicy come out from town)
Julie Brown, like others, would make fun of me and treat me poorly.
But now I'm getting so big and well known, whoa yes
Despite the bullying, I have now become successful and famous.
Have to pay just to get me in town, whoa oh oh whoay
Now people value my presence and I even get paid to make appearances.
Who is angry against who?
A rhetorical question about the futility of name-calling and bullying.
It's just another name calling game that they play
The bullying and name-calling is just a game for those doing it, but it can have real consequences for the victim.
Words of wisdom and action speaks louder than words
The message that words and actions should be positive and kind, not hurtful or cruel.
Now you look like a superstar (who you are?)
Now that I am successful, people treat me differently and are impressed by me.
Them come from near Lord, them come from far
People come from all over to see me and be a part of my success.
Some a them say them a you long lost friend, whoa yes
People who didn't pay attention to me before now claim to be my friend.
But if you go down, you'll never see them again, whoa oh oh whoay
These so-called friends will disappear if I experience failure or misfortune.
Picky-picky head go buy new head, always teasing me
The repeated teasing to buy a new hairstyle or wig due to my short hair.
Picky-picky head you are natty dread, whoa oh oh whoay
Another insult thrown at me for having short hair.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LLOYD EDWARD MCDONALD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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