His 1985 recording of "(Under Me) Sleng Teng", is generally regarded as the beginning of ragga style reggae. The rhythm is a preset pattern programmed into the Casiotone MT-40 by Okuda Hiroko who was still in her first year with the company.
The second Wayne Smith is a Leeds-based electronic producer also known for his work on synth in Solus Locus.
Under Me Sleng Teng
Wayne Smith Lyrics
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Is way in my brain, well, now
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
I don't wanna, I don't wanna go insane
Way in my brain, no cocaine
I don't wanna, I don't wanna go insane
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
Because ah inna me eyes there is red like blood
And I been moving around like a human flood
Smoke out of me mouth and outta me nose
I blow it inna air cause it must expose
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
In Westmoreland ah where di sensi come from
Me put it inna crocus bag pon di mini van
Take di seed an me make di 'ash oil
An me put in de barrel 'ca me know it no spoil
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi under mi sleng teng
Me under mi sleng teng, is way in my brain, is way in my brain
Inna me eyes there is red like blood
And I been moving around like a human flood
Smoke out of me mouth and outta me nose
I blow it inna air, it must expose
In Westmoreland ah where di sensi come from
Me put it inna crocus bag pon di mini van
Take di seed an me make di 'ash oil
An me put in de barrel 'ca me know it no spoil
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi
Because it's a way in my brain, no cocaine
I don't wanna, I don't wanna go insane
Way in my brain, no cocaine
I don't wanna, I don't wanna go insane
Oh, no, it's a way in my brain, it's a way in my brain
It's a way in my brain
I said me smoke it and me pass it thru de windah
An me give it to my next door neighbor
Me said me smoke it and me pass it thru de windah
An me give it to my next door neighbor
Because ah inna me eyes there is red like blood
And I been moving around like a human flood
Smoke out of me mouth and outta me nose
I blow it inna air cause it must expose
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi, way in my brain
It's a way in my brain, it's a way in my brain, it's a way in my brain
I said me smoke it and me pass it thru de windah
An me give it to my next door neighbor
Me said me smoke it and me pass it thru de windah
An me give it to my next door neighbor
Because in Westmoreland ah where di sensi come from
Me put it inna crocus bag pon di mini van
Take di seed an me make di 'ash oil
An me put in de barrel 'ca me know it no spoil
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
The song "Under Mi Sleng Teng" by Wayne Smith is a reggae dancehall classic that was released in 1985. The song is seen as revolutionary for its use of an entirely electronic rhythm track that was created using a Casio MT-40 keyboard, specifically the Sleng Teng riddim. The lyrics of the song convey a message of non-violence and self-awareness. The repetition of the phrase "way in my brain" suggests a meditation practice that helps the singer stay calm and centered amidst the chaos of drug use and violence that he sees around him. The repeated phrase "under mi sleng teng" refers to the feeling of being under the influence of the Sleng Teng riddim, which the singer finds to be calming and soothing.
The song expresses a clear preference for marijuana use over cocaine use, painting cocaine as a dangerous and potentially lethal drug that can lead to insanity. The lyrics describe the singer's eyes as being "red like blood," indicative of heavy marijuana use. He also talks about moving "around like a human flood," perhaps a reference to the feeling of being carried along in the flow of life, rather than struggling against it. He blows smoke out of his mouth and nose, which he describes as "exposing" something, perhaps an aspect of himself that he wants to share with others.
One of the most interesting things about the song is the origins of the Sleng Teng riddim. It was created by two musicians, Wayne Smith and Noel Davey, who were messing around with a Casio MT-40 keyboard in Davey's back room in Kingston, Jamaica. They stumbled upon a pre-programmed rhythm track, which they played with for a while until they hit upon a catchy melody that became the Sleng Teng riddim. The riddim was later used by dozens of other reggae artists, making it one of the most influential in the genre's history.
Line by Line Meaning
Way in my brain, is way in my brain
The idea of smoking marijuana is deeply ingrained in the singer's mind
Is way in my brain, well, now
The singer is emphasizing the strength of their attachment to marijuana
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi sleng teng
The singer is currently under the influence of marijuana
Under mi sleng teng, me under mi hey, hey
The artist is enjoying the effects of marijuana and feels upbeat and happy
Way in my brain, no cocaine
The artist is against using cocaine and prefers to stick to marijuana
I don't wanna, I don't wanna go insane
The singer avoids cocaine because they fear it could have harmful effects on their mental health
Because ah inna me eyes there is red like blood
Marijuana has caused the singer's eyes to become bloodshot
And I been moving around like a human flood
The artist is feeling the effects of marijuana and behaving in an exaggerated and fluid manner
Smoke out of me mouth and outta me nose
The artist is exhaling smoke from their mouth and nose due to smoking marijuana
I blow it inna air cause it must expose
The artist is intentionally releasing smoke into the air because they believe it enhances the effects of marijuana
In Westmoreland ah where di sensi come from
The singer comes from Westmoreland, a place known for producing high-quality marijuana
Me put it inna crocus bag pon di mini van
The artist stores their marijuana in a crocus bag and transports it in a minivan
Take di seed an me make di 'ash oil
The singer makes hash oil from marijuana seeds
An me put in de barrel 'ca me know it no spoil
The singer stores their hash oil in a barrel to ensure it does not spoil
Oh, no, it's a way in my brain, it's a way in my brain
The singer reiterates the strong attachment they have to marijuana and its effects on their mind
I said me smoke it and me pass it thru de windah
The artist shares their marijuana with others by smoking it and passing it through a window
An me give it to my next door neighbor
The artist is willing to share their marijuana with their neighbors
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LLOYD JAMES, IAN SMITH, NOEL DAVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luapnitsua5859
I grew up in the 90's and this track was mixed in illegal raves with d&b and ragga and was a VERY fond childhood memory 👍
@stevekennedy8264
And a cocaine in my brain but I ain't funky love from nz
@kingdaniel69
Yeah, that's how I know this track. Good times.
@Justin-TPG
SL2 - Way In My Brain. A huge track in the UK in the early ‘90s
@luapnitsua5859
Slipmattt and lime back to back
@oliverhunter1593
Greatest dancehall rhythm ever . Smith is gone but will be immortalized through the legacy of this monster version.
@wayneslengtengsmith8796
Works live on
@KT-lo4qo
isn't this the original?
@ah2347
This track is absolutely incredible over a good sound system. Honestly, it's less a song and more of an experience when heard through a powerful sound system.
@kevinforeman4485
I'm in N.Y.C. I used to go to the west Indian day parade in BKLYN. The night before and the same day crazy sound systems. Until gunman take all the fun out of it.