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As only a live band it was called Misty. First albums were two live albums 1979 created by help from toilers in England and Sweden: Live at the Counter Eurovision and Misty Over Sweden. Both records are full of Rastafarian and anti-fascist songs. They were favoured by BBC Radio DJ John Peel, helping to bring roots reggae bands to a more mixed West European audience. With a career spanning 5 decades, they are one of the UK’s finest reggae groups. The band was one of the most powerful live reggae acts to emerge from 1970s London, and they were a major force in the Rock Against Racism movement.
This British based roots reggae band Misty first came together in 1974, as backing band for well known Jamaican reggae bands and artists performing in London. One was the late, great Nicky Thomas - one of Jamaica's all time greats who had achieved national chart success with songs such as "Love Of The Common People". Nicky Thomas was a great inspirer for Misty In Roots.
By 1978 Misty In Roots began to develop their own orthodox roots reggae sound. Their powerful lyrics inspired by the economic decline, a growing awareness of their African culture, and a spiritual awakening inspired tracks as "Ghetto Of The City", "Sodom & Gomorrah" and "Mankind", all off which can be found on the band's first album "Live At The Counter Eurovision" and the 'twin album' "Misty Over Sweden", recorded on their tour in Sweden 1979.
During the period 1977-78 the political situation in the U.K. was a breaking point. Black consciousness was at its peak and racism roamed the streets of London. Unemployment was affecting both black and white youths and through this depression a new musical alliance was born, young white youths totally fed up with the status quo turned to playing punk music whilst at the same time identifying strongly with the British reggae acts as Misty In Roots, Steel Pulse and Aswad. With the coming of the ‘Rock against Racism’ movement, the musical fight-back had begun, and for the first time black and white musicians were playing together on the same platform bringing about a totally new concept in musical awareness.
Misty In Roots, one of the most powerful live reggae acts to have come out of London, and noted for their powerful roots reggae sound, and uncompromising lyrical vibrations, became the major force in Rock Against Racism, playing more concerts than any other band in the movement. This opened up a whole new audience for the band who quickly developed a very strong cross over audience, playing with acts such as Tom Robinson, The Ruts and Elvis Costello.
Despite Misty In Roots' huge success as a live act the band did not release their first album until 1979. The album Live At The Counter Eurovision, which was recorded live in Belgium during the band's 1978 tour, is today still proclaimed by many critics as the best live reggae album of all time. Misty In Roots followed Live At The Counter Eurovision with a string of limited edition singles such as "Oh Wicked Man", "Rich Man", "Salvation", "How Long Jah" and "See Them Ah Come".
The band’s second album Wise And Foolish was released in 1982 and took on a more mellow, jazzy and soulful tone.
By 1982 Misty In Roots was a force to be reckoned with but because of their determination to remain independent the band took a major step into Africa spending nine months in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The period spent in Africa had a major impact on the development of Misty In Roots' following two albums Earth and Musi O Tunya, both of which were directly inspired by the band’s experiences in Africa.
Earth, released in 1983, was a moving musical documentation of the devastation caused to mother Earth by mankind because of greed, cruelty and ignorance. The album consists of classic tracks as "Follow Fashion", "Earth", "Poor And Needy", "Own Them Control Them" and "Servant To Jah".
Musi O Tunya, released in 1985, was a reflection of the band’s love for Africa. Musi O Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) is a beautiful place where Zimbabwe and Zambia meet, and the great Zambezi river gives up all its might to form one of the most beautiful sights of Southern Africa. The Musi O Tunya falls are known in English as Victoria Falls.
During 1987, Misty In Roots took their first trip to West Africa, the spiritual home of their ancestors, it was indeed a pleasant experience to set foot in the region after four hundred years in exile.
1989 saw the beginning of a friendship between Misty In Roots and Kaz Records, which resulted in the release of the album Forward which saw Misty In Roots reach the heights once again.
At Roots Controller 2002 the band showed that roots reggae is a very alive, and they inspired new, young artists all over the world to change style from dancehall and digital ragga to roots.
ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY
* Live at the Counter Eurovision 79 (1979) [recorded live in Belgium]
* Misty Over Sweden (1979) [Swedish release - recorded live in Sweden]
* Wise and Foolish (1981)
* Earth (1983)
* Musi-O-Tunya (1985)
* Forward (1989)
* Chronicles - The Best of (1994)
* The John Peel Sessions (1995)
* Jah Sees Jah Knows (1997) [2CD version includes bonus CD of Live at the Counter Eurovision '79]
* Roots Controller (2002) [6 new tracks plus previously-released material]
Africa
Misty In Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(ins, horns) [yo-yo-yo yoe-hoo]
[A little song 'bout Africa]
Black skin is black for a reason
That just the way, (the) Maker mades I
Gave each man a place to call their own
Africa, black home land
Africa, black home land
(bridge/ horns)
Where's that land, too far, to gain I ...
Taken away in facetious(?) ...
Maybe they'll find that monster in itself
Corrupted, exploited black people
Africa, black home land
Africa, black home land
(bridge/ horns)
Black skin is black for a reason
That's just the way, the Maker made I
Gave each man a different color
Gave each man a place to call their own
Africa, black home land
Africa, black home land
(ins)
(outro (als intro-break)
[That little thing 'bout Africa]
[Black black oh-yeah]
The song "Africa" by Misty In Roots is a powerful anthem celebrating the beauty of the land and people of Africa while also addressing the tragic legacy of colonialism and exploitation. The opening lines declare that black skin is black for a reason, suggesting that it is not something to be ashamed of or apologize for - it simply exists as a natural aspect of human variation. The song then goes on to acknowledge that different people have been given different places to call their own, but that Africa is a black homeland that should be cherished and protected.
The second verse expresses a sense of loss and displacement, asking where the land of Africa is and mourning the fact that it seems too far away to be gained. This may refer to the way in which colonizers took over African land and exploited its resources, or to the fact that many people of African descent have been forcibly removed from their homelands and separated from their cultural heritage. The chorus repeats the refrain that Africa is a black homeland, emphasizing that this is a crucial aspect of its identity and something that should be honored and respected.
The bridge of the song features a soaring horn section and more pointed lyrics, suggesting that Africa has been exploited and corrupted by outside forces. The use of the word "facetious" (which means insincere or sarcastic) is a bit unclear, but it seems to imply that the taking of African land was done in a malicious and dishonest way. The line about a "monster in itself" may refer to the way that colonialism and slavery have distorted the social and economic fabric of African countries, making it difficult for them to recover from the damage that has been done.
Overall, "Africa" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that celebrates the beauty and dignity of the African continent while also acknowledging the deep wounds that have been inflicted upon it.
Line by Line Meaning
Black skin is black for a reason
The black color of African people's skin is not an accident, but a purposeful decision by a higher power.
That just the way, (the) Maker mades I
This is simply the way that the creator intended African people to look.
Gave each man a different color
Every human being looks different from one another, with varying physical characteristics such as skin color.
Gave each man a place to call their own
The creator gave people not only physical characteristics, but also specific lands to call their own.
Where's that land, too far, to gain I ...
The ancestral home of African people is often too far away for them to reach physically, and especially difficult for them to gain access to.
Taken away in facetious(?) ...
This land was taken away from African people, often through deceitful and insincere means.
Maybe they'll find that monster in itself
There may be internal and structural issues within the African continent that contribute to its exploitation and marginalization, beyond external forces.
Corrupted, exploited black people
Black people have been taken advantage of, manipulated, and used, leading to negative outcomes for themselves and their countries.
Africa, black home land
Despite all of this, Africa is the spiritual and geographical homeland of black people across the world.
[That little thing 'bout Africa]
This is a humble and introspective song about the significance of Africa in the lives of black people.
[Black black oh-yeah]
Acknowledging the commonality and pride that black people have in the color of their skin and their cultural identity.
Contributed by Jason R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jevaughnreynolds6075
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika (Lord God bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw'uphondo Iwayo (Let it's fame be lifted up)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu (Listen and hear our prayers)
Nkosi sikelela, Nkosi sikelela (Oh Lord God bless)
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika (Lord God bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw'uphondo Iwayo (Let it's fame be lifted up)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu (Listen and hear our prayers)
Nkosi sikelela, Thina lusapho Iwayo (Oh Lord God bless us, we children of Africa)
Woza moya (Come spirit)
Woza moya woza (Come spirit, come)
Woza moya (Come spirit)
Woza moya woza (Come spirit, come)
Woza moya oyingewele (Come spirit, Holy spirit)
Nkosi sikelela (Oh Lord God bless) 😊Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso (God bless our nation)
Ofedise dintwa le matshwenyeho (and stop all wars and suffering)
O se boloke (And bless it)
O se boloke morena (And bless it Lord, Oh God)
Setjhaba sa heso (Bless our nation)
Setjhaba sa Afrika (Our nation, Africa)
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika (Lord God bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw'uphondo Iwayo (Let it's fame be lifted up)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu (Listen and hear our prayers)
Nkosi sikelela (Oh Lord God bless us, we children of Africa)
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika (God bless Africa
@eddisonchasaya1095
I remember when they came to Zimbabwe I was so small but loved it
@vukaningcobo5680
I remember too mdara
@brianchipadza8076
looking for the extended version.... used to listen it on radio 1...early nineties....
@davidmwamuye7302
Great hit song
@kadamawesungura5997
This one is like a bible verses
@leonarddhlakama6083
Great song
@johnwalterkibaki1742
Papa kilosh RIP 😭💔🕊️
@jevaughnreynolds6075
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika (Lord God bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw'uphondo Iwayo (Let it's fame be lifted up)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu (Listen and hear our prayers)
Nkosi sikelela, Nkosi sikelela (Oh Lord God bless)
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika (Lord God bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw'uphondo Iwayo (Let it's fame be lifted up)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu (Listen and hear our prayers)
Nkosi sikelela, Thina lusapho Iwayo (Oh Lord God bless us, we children of Africa)
Woza moya (Come spirit)
Woza moya woza (Come spirit, come)
Woza moya (Come spirit)
Woza moya woza (Come spirit, come)
Woza moya oyingewele (Come spirit, Holy spirit)
Nkosi sikelela (Oh Lord God bless) 😊Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso (God bless our nation)
Ofedise dintwa le matshwenyeho (and stop all wars and suffering)
O se boloke (And bless it)
O se boloke morena (And bless it Lord, Oh God)
Setjhaba sa heso (Bless our nation)
Setjhaba sa Afrika (Our nation, Africa)
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika (Lord God bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw'uphondo Iwayo (Let it's fame be lifted up)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu (Listen and hear our prayers)
Nkosi sikelela (Oh Lord God bless us, we children of Africa)
Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika (God bless Africa
@jasonkiangura7870
God bless Afrika!!
@kevinnyabuto9474
True music.