Roots Archives Forum

**"Who Colt De Game"**

It implies that someone made a wrong move, deliberately, to change the outcome of the plan.

So who colt the game?

Babylon!

In other words... to prevent the Dread from succeeding, babylon colt the game, made a "wrong" move in regards to the dread.

interesting to see this post. i just heard the marley song by the same title for the first time. Any one have info with regards to his tune?

*Believe it or not....*

http://www.bobmarleymagazine.com/didyouknow/did5.htm

1977: WHO COLT THE GAME
Marley had other significant friendships. Producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, a 2003 Grammy winner was responsible for the Wailers' most productive era during the early years of their career. Musically and philosophically the relationship was symbiotic. Songs like "Duppy Conqueror" and "Small Axe" exemplified their collaboration, highlighting the belief that the oppressed would ultimately triumph. According to Perry's brother, Sweet Pea, who served as both Lee and Bob's gopher, the relationship between Marley and Perry was unusual. According to Sweet Pea, the two had tremendous respect for each other's ability but both had huge egos and were competitive. They often came to blows during disagreements. Those around them knew better than to get involved when the two clashed. Perry, according to Sweet Pea, would always push Marley to record songs he wrote. Marley, who hated to be pressured, would refuse to record until he was ready. This was a constant source of disagreement between the two. Sweet Pea recounts the time Perry wanted Marley to record the song "Who Colt the Game." Marley refused, and an argument ensued. Marley accused Perry of being like Coxsone, who Marley resented for the way he dictated his career. Perry responded, "I am not Coxsone. I am Marcus Garvey," puffing his chest and beating it. Marley replied, "If you are Marcus Garvey, then I am Haile Selassie."

Perry gave the lyrics of "Who Colt the Game" to Marley while he was standing next to a barb wire fence. Marley was captivated by the lyrics as he sang them. He failed to notice the barb wire as it tore into his foot. It was about 45 minutes before he realized that his foot was injured and bleeding. And so it was with Marley and Perry. Mutual accommodation was always the end result. The next day Marley went into the studio and recorded the song for Perry.

Let me digress a bit.How about this one "Uptown Skank it a carry swing"I heard from rockers movie and many other tracks.What does it mean?

dubaddikt

Nice explanation, thanks.
Ive always thought "Who colt the game" is part of the worst Marley did. Sounds really bad to me, maybe cause the Black Ark Sound doesnt stick to Bob's style. It was never released until recently, and I really disagree with this behaviour to release stuff that the artist chose not to release. Pure commercial business to sell "exclusives"; the real fans knew already how to get those demos.
Guidance

I couldn't disagree more with the last comment. I have loved the Wailers for a long time, as well as Scratch, but I only recently heard the 1978 Black Ark session. For sure, the sound (on my copy) is horrible.

However "Who Colt the Game" is brilliant, even though the best sounding version was recorded with nothing but bass, drums, and vocals apparently. All the better, because the bass and riddim are tight and Marley sings, as ever, soulfully.

What I wouldn't give to have a proper issue of all of this material, "Who Colt the Game" in all versions, "I Know a Place", "Punky Reggae Party", "Natural Mystic". The previous commenter should acquaint himself with "Punky Reggae Party" for an example of how brilliantly Bob could integrate the Black Ark Sound.

Yeah, I like the sparseness and quirkyness of "Who Colt the Game" and "Babylon Feel This One" and even "I Know A Place" especially. I like to hear that rawer sound after hearing so much of the shiny productions at Tuff Gong in his late years

algoriddim wrote:Yeah, I like the sparseness and quirkyness of "Who Colt the Game" and "Babylon Feel This One" and even "I Know A Place" especially. I like to hear that rawer sound after hearing so much of the shiny productions at Tuff Gong in his late years

I agree with this comment ^^^^ - "Who Colt the Game" is a brilliant tune, Bob deffinately put his heart into this one....

"Somebody played the wrong Domino, and want the world to follow"

I've also just managed to 'obtain' these Black Ark demos and I must say, although the sound quality is a bit patchy, the 'Irie Riding' dub and the third take of 'Who Colt the Game' are superb. Well worth tracking down!

i think who colt the game stands as one of the best things marley ever recorded.

i had always understood the saying to literally mean pulling a gun when the poker hand was not going your way, and with your gun (colt 45 probably) robbing the people youre playing with instead of allowing the game to continue to your detriment.

true?

one love
jah bill