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Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:23 am
by kukuman
Most (roots) reggae lyrics are retreads of the same themes: devotion to Jah, poverty, justice, the dancehall, or ganja. Occasionally, though, one will come across a reggae song with a rather strange lyrical theme by any genre's standards. Some examples I've recently encountered:
Owen Gray - "I Say Super Jaws" :: I never thought I'd hear a song about Jaws, much less one sung with this much conviction and passion!
Blue Riddim Band - "Nancy Reagan" :: Politics is another common theme in reggae but this song is quite explicit in its target, lampooning the former First Lady for her lavish lifestyle.
Little John - "I Love My Mommy" :: Little John expresses his gratitude towards his mother for breastfeeding him when he was a baby. This is probably the only non-slackness reggae tune about breasts!
Surely there are more examples of unconventional themes in reggae... anyone out there have some they can share?
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:31 am
by dRuNkNidIOt619
massive dread: pussy pon the window: talking about a cat sitting in a window i believe could be wrong though peace and good vibez [cover=2908,3332]
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:22 am
by Jah Pasquerel
Good thread!
There's a tune by Ashman 'Cartoonist', where Ashman describes his favourite cartoons, disses Bugs Bunny as 'white', he seems to like Batman, Wonder Woman or Aquaman more...funny.
But dancehall-based lyrics can be quite odd too: on the same riddim, Frankie Jones' 'One foot Jump' wins the oddness contest, as it mentions a girl with only one foot, doing the 'one foot jump' to the beat.
And one of my fav minimal lyrics: Lee Perry's 'Roast Fish and Cornbread' - should I say more, it's an instant classic.
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:07 pm
by Red Eyes
Papa Benjie "Fare Dodger": a heartfelt expression of pride in never paying for the subway fare.
Ranking Dread "Nanny": about his nanny, apparently.
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:42 pm
by Maxi Trojan
HITLER by Eek A Mouse
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:43 pm
by Maxi Trojan
didn't Early B do a song about The Yorkshire Ripper?
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:51 pm
by Tom Sawyer
Early B - Pedestrian
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:56 pm
by Rasteddy
Joe Tex and U Black - Standardization
for the first time color tv in jamaica
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:05 pm
by kukuman
Jah Pasquerel wrote:There's a tune by Ashman 'Cartoonist', where Ashman describes his favourite cartoons, disses Bugs Bunny as 'white', he seems to like Batman, Wonder Woman or Aquaman more...funny.
Nice, sounds like a reggae proto-Wesley Willis!
Re: Reggae songs with odd lyrical themes
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:37 pm
by selecta bing
Reggae would have to be the most diverse genre in this area.
There seems to be NOTHING Reggae artist can't and won't sing about.
It was known as the "Gleaner" in Jamaica
because it was where the people got their news.
Prince Far I has some of the funniest
Cricket Lovely Cricket, ( and Jah Thomas )
Bedward the Flying Preacher,
Barber Salon. (about hair straightening)