1. The Gladiators are a Jamaican roots reggae band, most popular during the… Read Full Bio ↴1. The Gladiators are a Jamaican roots reggae band, most popular during the 1970s. The core was Albert Griffiths (guitarist and singer), Clinton Fearon (bassist and singer) and Gallimore Sutherland rhythm guitar and singer. The two most famous albums are Trenchtown Mix Up (1976) and Proverbial Reggae (1978) with songs as "Hearsay", "Jah Works", "Dreadlocks the Time is Now". "Mix Up", "Music Makers from Jamaica", and "Soul Rebel" – a song written by The Wailers.

Formed
1967, Kingston, Jamaica
Members
Albert Griffiths, Errol Grandison (1967-73), David Webber (1967-69), Clinton Fearon (1969-87), Gallimore Sutherland (died in January 2017)

2. Gladiators is progressive metalcore band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA. Lancaster is a cultural hub located amongst five major U.S. cities known for bringing audiences together in the vibrant music scene exclusive to the region. GLADIATORS work tirelessly to set themselves apart and establish a new frontier in the genre of metal. They bring a fresh perspective and direction to a scene that has developed a specific sound.

Members
Michael Hart (vocals), Josh Krantz (guitar), Caleb Stoltzfus (drums), Bernard Stabley (bass)

Talking Blues
the Gladiators Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah! Oh, yeah! Now!
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too; (doo-oo-oo-oo-oo!)
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too. Yeah!

I′m saying: talkin' blues (talkin′ blues),
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues);

They say your feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Talkin′ blues (talkin′ blues), talkin' blues (talkin′ blues):
Your feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)

Yeah, I've been down on the rock for so long, (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw; (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
I′ve been down on the rock for so long, (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw. (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
But-a I - I'm gonna stare in the sun,
Let the rays shine in my eyes.
I - I′m a gonna take a just-a one step more
'Cause I feel like bombin' a church -
Now - now that you know that the preacher is lyin′.
So who′s gonna stay at home
When - when the freedom fighters are fighting?

Talkin' blues (talkin′ blues), talkin' blues (talkin′ blues):
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes, woe-oh-oh-oh!
Talkin' blues (talkin′ blues), keep on talkin' blues (talkin' blues);
They say - you hear what they say -
Didn′t you hear?

Cold ground was my bed (bed last night),
Rockstone - rockstone - rockstone was my pillow;
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night),
And rock was my pillow, too.

Sayin′: (talkin' blues, talkin′ blues):
I seem to wear a permanent screw - permanent screw.

Talkin' blues (talkin′ blues), talkin' blues (talkin′ blues):
Feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)

Overall Meaning

The Gladiators' "Talking Blues" is a classic example of a blues song, using a call-and-response format where the singer laments about his current situation in life, while the audience responds, sympathizing with his plight. The opening verse describes the singer sleeping on the cold ground with a rock as his pillow. He repeats this verse to emphasize his situation. The chorus laments about how people judge him, always commenting on the size of his feet and how his shoes don't fit.

The second verse complains about his tough times being on the "rock" so long that he feels he has a permanent screw. He sings that he is going to stare at the sun and walk towards it, showing that he will endure whatever comes his way. The final verse talks about bombing a church, showing his anger at organized religion and how they perpetuate lies and propaganda. He then questions who is going to stay at home when freedom fighters are fighting, showing his support for those who fight for their rights.

Overall, "Talking Blues" is a song that speaks of hardship and perseverance. The singer is facing tough times, sleeping on cold, hard ground and fighting judgment from others, but he keeps on going. "Talking Blues" is a message of hope to those struggling, encouraging them to keep pushing through their own tough times.

Line by Line Meaning

Cold ground was my bed last night
I had to sleep on the cold ground last night

And rock was my pillow, too
I had to use a rock as my pillow

They say your feet is just too big for your shoes.
People are criticizing me for having too big feet for my shoes

I seem to wear a permanent screw
I've been through so much that I'm feeling mentally unstable

I'm gonna stare in the sun, Let the rays shine in my eyes.
I'm going to face my problems directly, no matter how brutal they might be

I'm a gonna take a just-a one step more 'Cause I feel like bombin' a church - Now - now that you know that the preacher is lyin′.
I feel so wronged by what the church has been preaching that I'm ready to resort to violence

So who's gonna stay at home When - when the freedom fighters are fighting?
When people are fighting for their freedom, it's hard to remain indifferent and just stay home

Cold ground was my bed (bed last night), Rockstone - rockstone - rockstone was my pillow;
My sleeping situation was very rough and uncomfortable

I seem to wear a permanent screw - permanent screw.
I am feeling psychologically overwhelmed and disturbed

Feet is just too big for your shoes.
Once again, people are criticizing me for my feet being too big for my shoes

Writer(s): Barrett Carlton, Cogill Lecon

Contributed by Declan K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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