Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a two part series of posts about the different slang meanings of "Don't test me" and "Don't test" as found in two Dancehall records.
Part I showcases the 1988 record "Don't Test Me" by Shabba Ranks and Deborahe Glasgow.
Part II showcases Junior Tucker's 1990 record "Don't Test".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Shabba Ranks & Deborahe Glasgow for their performance of this song. Thanks also to the transcriber of these lyrics and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.
****
THE MEANING OF "DON'T TEST" IN THIS SONG
"Don't test me" in the Shabba Ranks & Deborahe Glasgow song means "Don't give me any tests (to evaluate whether I'm worthy of being with you)".
In contrast, "Don't test" in Junior Tucker's 1990 song is the warning "Don't try to challenge me (because if you do, you will face consequences.)
****
SHOWCASE SOUND FILE: Shabba Ranks & Debroah Glasgow "DON'T TEST ME"
ultimatechorus Uploaded on Apr 21, 2008
-snip-
"Don't Test Me" is included in Shabba Ranks first album, "Rappin' With the Ladies".
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rappin'_with_the_Ladies
""Rappin' With The Ladies" is the first album by dancehall artist and DJ Shabba Ranks, released in 1988. The album contains collaborations with J.C. Lodge and Deborahe Glasgow.
****
LYRICS: DON'T TEST ME
(as sung by Shabba Ranks & Deborahe Glasgow)
Intro: Shabba Ranks
Top list!!! Every woman a pass through a test
Like test mi pick up har plane pon runway
Don't try get away woman!!!
Chorus: Deborahe Glasgow
I can be as good as the best of them, and as bad as the worst
So don't test me, don't try and push me over, yeah
I can be as good as the best of them, and as bad as the worst
So don't test me, you better move over, yeah
Verse 1: Shabba Ranks
I will put yuh through a test but yuh betta pass it (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test mi nah go disrespect (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test it's not di worst among di best (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test girl yuh love a di greatest
I'm not lookin for di good I'm lookin for di best
Feelin I'm di best but a yuh mi request
It's yuh I request to until deatth
I couldn't never try to disrespect
Like, puff unda yuh eye and to tear off di chest
Beat yuh inna di east or beat yuh inna di west
Chorus: Deborahe Glasgow
I can be as good as the best of them, and as bad as the worst
So don't test me, don't try and push me over, yeah
I can be as good as the best of them, and as bad as the worst
So don't test me, you better move over, yeah
Verse 2: Shabba Ranks
(Oooh yeah!) It's not di best cho! yuh not di worst
(Oooh yeah!) I am di patient come you'll be di nurse
(Oooh yeah!) Just like di water come quench mi love thirst
And nuh matta what yuh do yuh could a neva get hurt
If a guy touch yuh, him haffi in di dirt
Mi just stomp out him back and him head top first
If mi put yuh to a test woman yuh betta pass it
If yuh put mi to a test yuh know mi muss pass it
Mi nah gi yuh water fi carry inna basket
Mi nah hang mi hat a weh mi caan reach it
How yuh love is so much it's not ova di limit
And nuh matta how mi get becau mi still waan it
Verse 3: Deborahe Glasgow (Shabba Ranks)
(See yah!) Not because I don't run off my mouth (See yah!)
And brag and show off (See yah!)
Because you don't see me about (See yah!) yuh check seh mi soft
Verse 4: Shabba Ranks
I will put yuh through a test but yuh betta pass it (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test mi nah go disrespect (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test it's not di worst among di best (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test girl yuh love a di greatest
Yuh a mi lover yuh a mi lover, see yah
Yuh love a Shabba likkle bit to talla wah, see yah!!
Yuh a mi lover yuh a mi lover
Cau mi nuh tek yuh easy, so like run ova
Mi nuh tek yuh like how until yuh drink water
Nah go love yuh like a bandstand and a preacher
Till di two a we go love up each odda
We just, stick togetha like a bird and featha
We just, stick togetha like a stamp to a letta
We nuh, matta di time nor di weatha
It could a di summa, or even winta
Chorus: Deborahe Glasgow
I can be as good as the best of them, and as bad as the worst
So don't test me, don't try and push me over, yeah
I can be as good as the best of them, and as bad as the worst
So don't test me, you better move over, yeah
Verse 5: Shabba Ranks
I will put yuh through a test but yuh betta pass it (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test mi nah go disrespect (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test it's not di worst among di best (Oooh yeah!)
Put yuh to a test girl yuh love a di greatest
Love mi as a man mi love yuh, as a woman
And if yuh, love Shabba Rankin then di love is so strong
Di reason why it's strong it's not a brand new second hand
Go and tell di world yuh is a true champion
Yuh is di champion for Shabba Ranks
Yuh could a be di worst or di best
Di Rankin him a go put yuh to di test
But mi a one man nah go put yuh to di test
Mi nah go black up yuh eye becau mi know seh dat is totally wrong....
From http://www.nitrolyrics.com/shabba-ranks_dont-test-me-lyrics.html
****
EXPLANATORY NOTES
"So don't test me, don't try and push me over, yeah [don’t try to come up with excuses to get rid of me]"
"you better move over" = You better keep on steppin’ (keep going, leave_
"yuh like a bandstand and a preacher" =like a preacher loves a podium
Love mi as a man mi love yuh, as a woman ="Love me as your man and I’ll love you as my woman."
muss- must
tek=take
odda= other
Cho-darn, dammit, [annoyance or frustration]
nah = no, not
di = the
Dat = that
yuh =your
****
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Shabba Rank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shabba Rank. Show all posts
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Monday, September 16, 2013
Shabba Ranks - Peany Peany (Winey Winey) with partial lyrics & comments
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a sound file of and partial lyrics for the Jamaican Dancehall song "Peany Peany" (also known as "Peeny Peeny" and "Winey Winey"). Selected comments about this song from the featured YouTube sound file's viewer comment thread and other information about this song also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SHABBA RANK'S NAME
From http://www.answers.com/topic/shabba-ranks [biographical information about Shabba Ranks]
"[Shabba] Ranks was enamored of the Kingston club scene and was inspired by the "toasting" of deejays such as Yellowman and Josey Wales. He honed his unique throaty rasp and became a leading "toaster" himself, while studying engineering to please his father. At first he called himself Co-pilot because he worked with a deejay named The Navigator, who spun records while Ranks "chatted" over them. In 1979, when he was 14 years old, Ranks recorded his first song as Co-pilot, "Heat under Sufferers Feet," which was later released as a single on the Roots Melody label. The young deejay eventually dubbed himself "Shabba" after an African king and "Ranks" to imply his high position and deft microphone skills in the world of reggae.
-snip-
Italics used to highlight that sentence.
The "African king" referred to in this article was probably Chaka Zulu (South Africa).
****
FEATURED EXAMPLE
Winey Winey--Shabba Ranks
24Adrian24 Uploaded on Aug 13, 2007
Classic!
****
PARTIAL LYRICS FOR "PEANIE PEANIE" (WINEY WINEY)*
(Shabba Ranks)
Now when we was a little boy
my favorite ring game was this
now all old people come back to your memory
"Hear Me Now Lizard".*
Winey Winey, Winey Winey, Winey Winey too much
Give it a listen
In Jamaica there's a party.
Peanie Peanie upon you.
Come young man catch all the woman them winey.
Winey Winey Upon you!
In Jamaica there's a party.
Peanie Peanie upon you.
Come young man catch all the woman them winey.
Winey Winey Upon you!
Woman a Soca, woman a Rhumba, woman a cha cha cha,
Come now! It's hell and powda house dem get up inna temper **
The Jamaica girl are music lover
If it’s music they want
it set their soul on fire.
Cause in In Jamaica there’s a party
Peany peany for you
Come now do a look at them winning
Winey winey winey for you
Cause Canadian girls dem luv di peany peany
cum now the London girls dem luv di peany peany
And all American girls dem luv di peany peany.
Dem affi dance peany peany pon Admiral Bailey
Affi winey, winey wen dem 'ear Colonel Josey
wit a physical mind, soul 'an body.
The music and mind
and the soul and body
Cause in Jamaica there’s a party
Peany peany for you
Come now do a look at them wining
Winey Winey winey for you
In Jamaica there’s a party
Peany peany for you
And now come go follow me
Winey Winey winey for you...
-snip-
I attempted to transcribe this song because I couldn't find lyrics for this song online. Italics mean that I'm unsure about my transcription of those words. Additions and corrections are very welcome.
-snip-
*January 25, 2018 - Hat tip to Errol Hobson for his corrections to my transcriptions.
"For instance in the introduction where you said "give it a listen". the correct line is:- "Hear Me Now Lizard". Lizard in reference to another DJ named "Daddy Lizard". Again "Give It A Listen" this time is:- "Hear Me Now Star".
[Read Errol Hobson's full comment in the comment section below.]
**Hat tip to SkallaMarch 6, 2020 for correcting that verse that begins with "Woman a soca". I appreciate it!
-snip-
Comments about these lyrics:
In his beginning lyrics, Shabba Ranks says that this song is based on a ring game. I'd love to know about that ring game. Was it called "Peany Peany"? What does "peany" mean - peanut?, penny?
"Peany Peany" is a dancehall riddim (rhythm)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riddim
"Riddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm," but in dancehall/reggae parlance it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song. Thus, a dancehall song consists of the riddim plus the "voicing" (vocal part) sung by the deejay. The resulting song structure may be taken for granted by dancehall fans, but is in many ways unique. A given riddim, if popular, may be used in dozens—or even hundreds—of songs, not only in recordings, but also in live performances...
"Riddims are the primary musical building blocks of Jamaican popular songs.... At any given time, ten to fifteen riddims are widely used in dancehall recordings, but only two or three of these are the now ting (i.e., the latest riddims that everyone must record over if they want to get them played in the dance or on radio).... In dancehall performing, those whose timing is right on top of the rhythm are said to be "riding di riddim".[2]"
-snip-
"Winey" - to wine (to gyrate your waist to the beat.(
****
SELECTED COMMENTS
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfFXKxSFmOo
(These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest comments posted first.
WARNING: In part because of Shabba Ranks public comments against homosexuals, many of the comments on this video's YouTube viewer comments include profanity and homophobia. These comments also include insults about the singer'serphysical appearance, explicit sexual references, and other references that I consider to be inappropriate for this blog.)
Tariq El Shabazz, 2008
"classic Shabba Rankin"
**
buttacudawey 2009
"this is a ring game in jamaica..lol...use to love to play it...lol..who remember..?"
**
MSTinka06 4 years ago
if the selecta play this one here now in 09 the party still go madd
-snip-
"selecta=dj; disc jockey; "madd" is purposely spelled to indicate that the song is really mad, i.e. "really good".
**
cardichon123, 2012
"im not jamaican.i cnt understand anything hez saying but nice song"
**
MaxMisterC, 2012
"If you're not interested in Jamaican culture, then GOODBYE!
If you can't understand the language, then LEARN PATOIS!
This here is hardcore Jamaican 'Dancehall' culture. It's not about 'English' nor about 'enunciation'.
Classical music & opera was written by Norwegians, English, Germans & nowadays by non-Europeans too. Each one brings something new to the table. But No-one is claiming it ought to be reggae stylee, nor be sung in pigeon english? Shut Up & Grow Up!!!"
****
BONUS EXAMPLE - A PEANIE PEANIE RIDDIM MIX
Peanie Peanie riddim mix
SelectaGroovy Uploaded on Feb 8, 2009
aka kuff riddim -atleast for me- cause chaka demus is big too here !
didn't found any mix of this classic riddim on the tube !
this one is so crucial and is such raw killin material i had to make a selekshan !! a bit quickly so dont cuss too much hehe
tracks :
Shabba ranks - peanie peanie
Chaka demus - original kuff
Bunny general - everybody jump
Courtney melody - your love
Pad anthony - death to a sound (death before dishonor)
Eccleton jarrett - kill another sound
Colin roach - johnny too bad
Little john - fade away
Tubby possee (dunno exactly what is the role of phantom/peego/fatman on this one) - fade out
first 2 prod by jammy (i know bobby d produced shabba too but this one comes frome my jammy's selectors choice album) im not shure bout bunny general but it seems its a jammy prod too ..the next four are digitzl B prodz and the last 2 by tubby on the firehouse label
PLAY IT LOUD !
****
Thanks to Shabba Rank's musical legacy.
Thanks also to the publishers of these featured sound files and thanks to all those whose comments are quoted in this post.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases a sound file of and partial lyrics for the Jamaican Dancehall song "Peany Peany" (also known as "Peeny Peeny" and "Winey Winey"). Selected comments about this song from the featured YouTube sound file's viewer comment thread and other information about this song also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SHABBA RANK'S NAME
From http://www.answers.com/topic/shabba-ranks [biographical information about Shabba Ranks]
"[Shabba] Ranks was enamored of the Kingston club scene and was inspired by the "toasting" of deejays such as Yellowman and Josey Wales. He honed his unique throaty rasp and became a leading "toaster" himself, while studying engineering to please his father. At first he called himself Co-pilot because he worked with a deejay named The Navigator, who spun records while Ranks "chatted" over them. In 1979, when he was 14 years old, Ranks recorded his first song as Co-pilot, "Heat under Sufferers Feet," which was later released as a single on the Roots Melody label. The young deejay eventually dubbed himself "Shabba" after an African king and "Ranks" to imply his high position and deft microphone skills in the world of reggae.
-snip-
Italics used to highlight that sentence.
The "African king" referred to in this article was probably Chaka Zulu (South Africa).
****
FEATURED EXAMPLE
Winey Winey--Shabba Ranks
24Adrian24 Uploaded on Aug 13, 2007
Classic!
****
PARTIAL LYRICS FOR "PEANIE PEANIE" (WINEY WINEY)*
(Shabba Ranks)
Now when we was a little boy
my favorite ring game was this
now all old people come back to your memory
"Hear Me Now Lizard".*
Winey Winey, Winey Winey, Winey Winey too much
Give it a listen
In Jamaica there's a party.
Peanie Peanie upon you.
Come young man catch all the woman them winey.
Winey Winey Upon you!
In Jamaica there's a party.
Peanie Peanie upon you.
Come young man catch all the woman them winey.
Winey Winey Upon you!
Woman a Soca, woman a Rhumba, woman a cha cha cha,
Come now! It's hell and powda house dem get up inna temper **
The Jamaica girl are music lover
If it’s music they want
it set their soul on fire.
Cause in In Jamaica there’s a party
Peany peany for you
Come now do a look at them winning
Winey winey winey for you
Cause Canadian girls dem luv di peany peany
cum now the London girls dem luv di peany peany
And all American girls dem luv di peany peany.
Dem affi dance peany peany pon Admiral Bailey
Affi winey, winey wen dem 'ear Colonel Josey
wit a physical mind, soul 'an body.
The music and mind
and the soul and body
Cause in Jamaica there’s a party
Peany peany for you
Come now do a look at them wining
Winey Winey winey for you
In Jamaica there’s a party
Peany peany for you
And now come go follow me
Winey Winey winey for you...
-snip-
I attempted to transcribe this song because I couldn't find lyrics for this song online. Italics mean that I'm unsure about my transcription of those words. Additions and corrections are very welcome.
-snip-
*January 25, 2018 - Hat tip to Errol Hobson for his corrections to my transcriptions.
"For instance in the introduction where you said "give it a listen". the correct line is:- "Hear Me Now Lizard". Lizard in reference to another DJ named "Daddy Lizard". Again "Give It A Listen" this time is:- "Hear Me Now Star".
[Read Errol Hobson's full comment in the comment section below.]
**Hat tip to SkallaMarch 6, 2020 for correcting that verse that begins with "Woman a soca". I appreciate it!
-snip-
Comments about these lyrics:
In his beginning lyrics, Shabba Ranks says that this song is based on a ring game. I'd love to know about that ring game. Was it called "Peany Peany"? What does "peany" mean - peanut?, penny?
"Peany Peany" is a dancehall riddim (rhythm)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riddim
"Riddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm," but in dancehall/reggae parlance it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song. Thus, a dancehall song consists of the riddim plus the "voicing" (vocal part) sung by the deejay. The resulting song structure may be taken for granted by dancehall fans, but is in many ways unique. A given riddim, if popular, may be used in dozens—or even hundreds—of songs, not only in recordings, but also in live performances...
"Riddims are the primary musical building blocks of Jamaican popular songs.... At any given time, ten to fifteen riddims are widely used in dancehall recordings, but only two or three of these are the now ting (i.e., the latest riddims that everyone must record over if they want to get them played in the dance or on radio).... In dancehall performing, those whose timing is right on top of the rhythm are said to be "riding di riddim".[2]"
-snip-
"Winey" - to wine (to gyrate your waist to the beat.(
****
SELECTED COMMENTS
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfFXKxSFmOo
(These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest comments posted first.
WARNING: In part because of Shabba Ranks public comments against homosexuals, many of the comments on this video's YouTube viewer comments include profanity and homophobia. These comments also include insults about the singer'serphysical appearance, explicit sexual references, and other references that I consider to be inappropriate for this blog.)
Tariq El Shabazz, 2008
"classic Shabba Rankin"
**
buttacudawey 2009
"this is a ring game in jamaica..lol...use to love to play it...lol..who remember..?"
**
MSTinka06 4 years ago
if the selecta play this one here now in 09 the party still go madd
-snip-
"selecta=dj; disc jockey; "madd" is purposely spelled to indicate that the song is really mad, i.e. "really good".
**
cardichon123, 2012
"im not jamaican.i cnt understand anything hez saying but nice song"
**
MaxMisterC, 2012
"If you're not interested in Jamaican culture, then GOODBYE!
If you can't understand the language, then LEARN PATOIS!
This here is hardcore Jamaican 'Dancehall' culture. It's not about 'English' nor about 'enunciation'.
Classical music & opera was written by Norwegians, English, Germans & nowadays by non-Europeans too. Each one brings something new to the table. But No-one is claiming it ought to be reggae stylee, nor be sung in pigeon english? Shut Up & Grow Up!!!"
****
BONUS EXAMPLE - A PEANIE PEANIE RIDDIM MIX
Peanie Peanie riddim mix
SelectaGroovy Uploaded on Feb 8, 2009
aka kuff riddim -atleast for me- cause chaka demus is big too here !
didn't found any mix of this classic riddim on the tube !
this one is so crucial and is such raw killin material i had to make a selekshan !! a bit quickly so dont cuss too much hehe
tracks :
Shabba ranks - peanie peanie
Chaka demus - original kuff
Bunny general - everybody jump
Courtney melody - your love
Pad anthony - death to a sound (death before dishonor)
Eccleton jarrett - kill another sound
Colin roach - johnny too bad
Little john - fade away
Tubby possee (dunno exactly what is the role of phantom/peego/fatman on this one) - fade out
first 2 prod by jammy (i know bobby d produced shabba too but this one comes frome my jammy's selectors choice album) im not shure bout bunny general but it seems its a jammy prod too ..the next four are digitzl B prodz and the last 2 by tubby on the firehouse label
PLAY IT LOUD !
****
Thanks to Shabba Rank's musical legacy.
Thanks also to the publishers of these featured sound files and thanks to all those whose comments are quoted in this post.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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