Why The Jamaican Dancehall Song "Murder She Wrote" Is Called "Mama Shiroo" & Similar Sounding Names In Kenya, East Africa

culturaroots, Nov 2, 2007
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Total statistics as of Feb.12, 2024 at 9:14 PM
Totl # of views - 67,657,504

Total # of comments - 14,181

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update- Feb. 13, 2024

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series about Chaka Demus & Pliers' 1992 Jamaican Dancehall song "Murder She Wrote". 

This post showcases the same YouTube video of Chaka Demus & Pleirs' 1992 Jamaican Dancehall song "Murder She Wrote".that was showcased in Part I of this series.

This post also provides a definition of the linguistic term "folk processing" as an explanation for why some Kenyans and some other Africans refer to the Jamaican Dancehall song "Murder She Wrote" as "Mama Shiro" or other similar titles.

This post also presents some information about the Kenyan song entitled "Mama Ciru".

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/02/chaka-demus-pliers-jamaican-dancehall.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post presents showcases a YouTube video of Chaka Demus & Pliers' 1992 Jamaican Dancehall song "Murder She Wrote". This post also presents a brief excerpt from this song's Wikipedia page.

That pancocojams post also provides a compilation of some comments from that video's discussion thread in which the commenters mention the name of their country or are replies to those comments. These comments were published in 2016-2024 (as of the date of the publication of this pancocojams post)*.
 
*After uploading numerous pages of comments from this video's discussion thread, my computer wouldn't upload any additional pages. It's likely that numerous comments that fit this sub-set of comments are featured in those pages that I wasn't able to upload. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

These comments document that many people throughout the world have been aware of and have had an appreciation for Chaka Demus & Pliers' Dancehall song "Murder She Wrote" since that record's was first released.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Chaka Demus & Pleirs for their musical legacy. Thanks to Sly & Robbie for creating the bam bam riddem (beat) of this song that was/is also used for some other Dancehall songs. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of this video on YouTube.

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PARTIAL LYRICS FOR "MURDER SHE WROTE" (Original Mix)
(as sung by Chaka Demus & Pleirs"

I know this little girl
Her name is maxine
Her beauty is
Like a bunch of rose
If I ever tell you 'bout maxine
You would a say
I don't know what I know
(But)

Murder she wrote
(Fi real fi real)
Murder she wrote
Murder she wrote
Murder she wrote

Watch ya now, it name
A pretty face and bad character
Dem the kinda livin
Can't hold Chaka (Follow me)
A pretty face
And bad character
Dem the kinda livin'
Can't hold Chaka
Seh gal yuh pretty
Yuh face it pretty
But yuh character dirty
Gal yuh just act too flirty flirty
Yuh run to Tom, Dick
An' also Harry
An when yuh find yuh mistake
Yuh talk bout yuh sorry
Sorry, sorry (Come now)"...
-snip-
Click https://genius.com/Chaka-demus-and-pliers-murder-she-wrote-original-mix-lyrics for the complete lyrics for this song.

Pancocojams Editor's note: "Tom", "Dick", and "Harry" used to be very common nicknames for males in the English language. The phrase "Tom, Dick, and Harry" mean "any man" or "a number of men chosen at random."   

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A BRIEF EXPLANATION ABOUT THE FOLK PROCESS IN SONGS AND RHYMES
The definition of "folk processing" that I'm using in this post is "the unintentional changing of a word or words to a song because of mishearing or misremembering." Folk processing also occurs when an unfamiliar word or words is mistaken for or unintentionally replaced by a familiar word or words that sound the same or sound similarly. This replacement of unfamiliar words/words with familar words/words is done so that the song/rhyme makes sense (or makes more sense) to the  person singing, chanting, or reading it.  
-snip-
Based on my online reading, It appears that when people in some African nations, but particularly in Kenya, East Africa, sang the Jamaican Dancehall song "Murder She Wrote" it was quite common to sing the words "Mama Shiro" or similarly sounding words for the unfamiliar English words " murder she wrote". 

As noted above, folk processing may occur when people mishear a word or words and replace those words or unfamiliar word or words in a song or a rhyme with a word, words, or a sound that they are familiar with.

In the last comment that I quoted from the discussion thread of the embedded "Murder She Wrote" video (found immediately below), a commenter wrote "we use to sing [Mama Shiroo] the same in Kenya. We had girls name shiro ( short form of wanjiru) and they would be pissed off. "

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THE KENYAN SONG "MAMA CIRU" ("MAMA CHIRU") 
My curiousity about the name "Mama Shiroo" in Kenya led me to some YouTube music videos of the Kikuyu song (or songs?) entitled "Mama Ciru" or "Mama Chiru". Here's a link to one of those videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0186CyHZsnI Mama Ciru John Ndichu,  Jan 27, 2011. Some commenters in that video's discussion thread referred to that song as a classic and one commenter @michaelgichia2048 wrote in 2019 that "This song was such a hit that people in salaam clubs adopted  the name mama chiru. Same with some businesses".

In 2023 another commenter @edwingikura shared this explanation for that song: "It's about a man who says that he loved his wife very much, but after 10 years  or so she changed like a snake she even started seeing other men and on  one or two occasions he was almost attacked by the men she was with in a bar.

He then says that he's friends told him that even if he loves her more then money he has to move on."
-end of quote-
That storyline for "Mama Ciru" is quite similar to the lyrics for the Jamaican Dancehall song 'murder She Wrote", but I don't think that the tunes and tempos for those two songs are the same or even similar. 

Here's information about the song "Mama Ciru" from an article about the death of  Kenyan singer/composer Mûrîithi John Walker  https://debunk.media/muriithi-john-walker-an-obituary-in-seven-songs/ "Mûrîithi John Walker: An Obituary In Seven Songs by Ras Menge Sham Feb, 8, 2023
..."I had never heard this song before this performance. Kîrîro kîa Mama Cirû is a fun genre-bending song that invites the listener to let go and let loose. Come, let’s play. Let’s do it as we listen to Mama Cirû’s lamentations, is the song’s request. The question I had earlier comes back and presents itself differently: Does it matter to Mugithi musicians what the song they are singing is about?

Kîrîro kîa Mama Cirû samples Murder She Wrote by Chaka Demus and Pliers. When we were children we misheard ‘Murder She Wrote’ as ‘Mama Ciru’. I think this is what Mûrîithi John Walker wants to do with the song, to take us back to that place of invention, that place, like that of childhood, where a world can be created. The song, as different as it sounds with its punchy riffs and rolling bass guitar, still sounds like Mugithi, and still looks like the man on stage. There is the serious foundational Kikuyu pop sound, brown, loose, and ever present like his suit. And then there is the experimental stuff, the turtleneck and the silver chain that says I’m here to play, to mess around and find out."
-snip-  
Please share any memories or information that you have about this Kenyan song entitled "Mama Ciru" in the comment section below. Thanks!

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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THE USE OF THE WORDS "MAMA SHIRO" INSTEAD OF "MURDER SHE WROTE" IN THAT JAMAICAN DANCEHALL SONG

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-av7F1JBmj4 [This is the video that is embedded above]

These are only some of the comments in that discussion thread that refer to singing "Mama Shiro" instead of "Murder She Wrote". 

2020

1.@kmuturi238
"Kenyans who grew up singing "Murder Shiro" and "Mama Shiro" let's gather here😂😂😂🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪💙
-snip-
This comment had 1.6 likes and 110 replies (as of Feb. 11, 2024 at 10:02 PM EDT)

Unless otherwise noted, the non-English words given below are in Swahili. Their Swahili meaning is given below the comment (from Google translate from Swahili to English.) Additions and corrections are welcome.

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Reply
2. @alexwambua4492
"Mama Shiro😂"

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3. @kmuturi238
"😂😂Mimi nilikuwa nasikia "murder Shiro"
-snip-
"I was hearing "murder Shiro"

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Reply
4. hiroo... Mama shiroooo

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5. @alexsirzlopez3204
"Tuko ndani mama shiro tuko ndani"
-snip-
"We are in, mother shiro, we are in"

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6. @flostar3790
"😋😋"

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7. @jamesmtaita6120
"Anaitwa Chuck Odemus ni mjaluo wa Jamaica.."
-snip-
"His name is Chuck Odemus, he is from Jamaica"

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8. @ThatguyJoshman
"Tuko hapa nyuma ya tent😂"
-snip-
"We are here behind the tent😂"

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9. @petesnow2484
"I'm nigerian..... but lol. that was funny"

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10. @adilmohamed1784
"but I'm not the only one who grew up with this mother shiro umwakinHahaha mother shiro we thought it was a mother from kiambu"
-snip-
"Kiambu" is a town in Kenya, East Africa.

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11. @soniemaina
"Guilty as charged 😂😂😂😂"

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12. @everydayapps7225
"Wakenya hamkosangi kila mahali.🔥 Wooho 🔥
-snip-
"Kenyans are everywhere"

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13. @nukonuko1184
"We never knew she wrote 😂😂😂"

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14. @rusticpoet
"hahahahaha! I remember everyone going wild when that part came on! Murder shiro, murder shiro!

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15. @nickie2483
"😭😭😭😭😭"

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16. @aajabbinmagosh5509
"Madam shiro"

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17.@muufenty774
"Tuko wengi😅😅"
-snip-
"We are many".

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18. @gracesherry2964
"😂😂😂😂😂here i am"

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19. @kenyanswiss
"Matha shiro"

 
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20. @imaniimani3709
"🤣😅🤣😅🤣😅 lol wacha tu but  it flowed though"
-snip-
"wacha tu" = "just let it go"

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Reply
21. @alyfepoisonbunny2716
"I grew up with this song 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹"
-snip-
"TT"= Trinidad and Tobago (a Caribbean nation)

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22. @lucielucie9646
"I still do. Sounds better that way 😂😂😂"

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23. @TheEdnablue
"Tupo hapa 🤣"
-snip-
"We are here"

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24. @kendrickswife
"Straight uppppp!!!!!!!😂😂"

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25.@shiikamau403
"we r in which.tent😂😂"

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26.@bobkipkoech
"😂😂😂Great seeing my fellow Kenyans hapa"
-snip-
"hapa" = "here"

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27. @chaavinabbey9546
"Bruh, er'body sang it like that... 💥🔥 We Go"

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28.@carolinewambui9506
"Bado ni mama shiro😂😂
-snip-
"It still is mama shiro"

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27. @brian_mwangi
"mada shiro :-)"

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28. @adimwangi758
"Mother Shiro''

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29.@rebeccawambui7510
"Yeeey aki ukweli."
-snip-
"Yes, it's true".

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30. @bernardwanjohi7201
"🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀"

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31.@chrispinuswafula3029
"Hahahaha mother Shiroooo"

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32. @danniarscott3233
"That’s hilarious 😂"

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33.@lorrdolly
"And it remains murder shiro forever...... Takes me back to F2 jam sessions in the afternoon"

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34.@rossitahwayua9171
"Hata Leo ni mada shiroooo..lol"
-snip-
"Even today it is mada shirooo lol"

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35. @mosebrownie4013
"I think Jamaican song rock in kenya than Jamaica yenyewe😁 mother shiroo
=snip-
"Yenyewe" = itself
-snip-
My interpretation of that comment (as an African American who doesn't speak Swahili) is "I think the Kenyan version with the words "Mother Shiroo" rocks (is better) than the Jamaican song with the words "Murder she wrote".
..
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36. @nancywanjiru820
"Hehehehhe gosh tumetoka mbali, I rem my uncle told me it's murder shiro"
-snip-
"tumetoka mbali" = we have come a long way.

"rem" = a non-standard short form of the English word "remember".

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37.@kendykellis8715
"Mother Shiro waaaah"
-snip-
"waaaah" a sound like you're laughing so hard you are crying.

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38.@felixkhale
"Nigerians too.😭😭😂😂"

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39.@ndimoowawangari9875
"Mother cirû"

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40. @mitcheallchikowore2447
"😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I'm not from Kenya  also I used to sing
medha Shiroo 🇿🇼🇿🇼
-snip-
"Zw" =Zimbabwe

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41.@benabena1908
"The first reggae song that I knew."

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42. @drakeweru9505
"The accuracy 🤣🤣"

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43. @abietrue404
"lol"

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44. @husseinjuma3126
"Mayo shiro🤣🤣🤣"

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45.@loisemuhia8130
"Present"

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46. @shanzie593
"Lmao"

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47. @candicetshuma5954
"Even Zimbabweans 😂😂😂"

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48. @LoftusBlake
"pete snow  Nigerians understand Jamaican Patios right?"

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49. @faithwahomedon3158
"Alex Wambua  we umeharibu 😂😂"
-snip-
"we umeharibu" = "you have ruined it "

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2021

Reply
50.@asiyyahmullen8777
"Merdashiro 🤣"

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51. @essiechege3710
"Manda shiro"

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52. @aminamakokha2761
"Leo ushamba umetoka after 40 yrs 😂😂😂😂nitaambia nini watu"
-snip-
"Today the farm has come out after 40 yrs 😂😂😂😂 what am I going to tell people"
-snip-
I'm not sure what this comment means, but I think the commenter is asking how does he tell people in his village that what they think this song means isn't what it really means.

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53. @lucyreigns836
"😂😂😂😂😂😂 cheza chini  murder shiro"
"cheza chini"= "play down"

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54. @fatimaabdallah2408
"Murder shiro milele 😂"
-snip-
"Murder shiro forever"

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55.@TanDaGodDiva
"Hello muderrrrr shhhhhiiiroooo"

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56. @TanDaGodDiva
"Muderrrrr Shiiiroooo!!!!"

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57.@saradubai6974
"Yeah I grew up knowing it was "mother shiro" I didn't know it was,
"murder she wrote" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂so funny n fool of me!"

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58.@lizk2643
"my little sis.. still call her murder shiro"

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59.@motherofanangel1143
"Lmaooooo"

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60.@Radiocity256
"ndio mama shiroo"
-snip-
"yes, mama shiroo"

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61.@reecemwongeli2698
"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣kumbe si mimi pekee nilikua na hii umbwakin ya mother shiro"
-snip-
"but I'm not the only one who grew up with this mother shiro umwakin"

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62. @kylielinae
"It's still "mother Shiro" and "no woman no cry" not "no woman don't cry" Wakenya tuko everywhere"
-snip-
"Wakenya tuko everywhere" = "We are Kenyans everywhere."

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63. @manni2723
"Mother Shiro"

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64.@avrilhernandez4635
"Not Kenyan, but Caribbean 🇩🇴 and I grew singing the same thing 🤣"

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65.@Just_Tracy
"yesss nilifanya kitu kimoja i use to say "muder shiro"

-snip-
"yesss I did the same thing i use to say "muder shiro"

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66.@yumnathomas6591
"😭😭😭#epic!!!!😂😂😂🖤❤"

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67.@katusiimeevelyne5445, 2020
"Here in Uganda we still play this song in bars as though it was released yesterday 🤗😂😂"

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68. @Ankunda717, 2020
"Its an everyday song hahaha"

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69.@Youngxfatal93, 2020
"All day everyydayy 💯"

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70. @orikirizacharliebrown3912, 2020
"Me I could sing it like, mother shiro🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 shame di me"

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71. @WallySheccid, 2020
"Du yu nou de way mai brudah?"
-snip-
My guess is that this question "Do you know the way my brother?" means "Do you know the correct words for this song, my brother?"

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Reply

72, @orikirizacharliebrown3912, 2020

"Wally Mendoza  na  tell me"

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73. @sarahkukiriza6174, 2021
"@Orikiriza Charlie Brown  ur not alone..me I shouted imara shiro  in 90s until when 
  I got the lyrics in a newspaper. I nearly fainted laughing."

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74. @orikirizacharliebrown3912, 2021
"Sarah Kukiriza  omg 🤔🤔😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

😂😂😂😂😂😂"

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75.  @sarahkukiriza6174, 2021
"Orikiriza Charlie Brown  I even told  the story to my kids .even if u rewind it 10 tyms
u would still hear the same lyrics and fits right.  Ooh those days are good to remember"

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Reply

76. @orikirizacharliebrown3912,2021

"Sarah Kukiriza  your just funny🤣🤣🤣🤣"

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@sheriekasirye1321, 2021
"I remember in 90's our yrs this song would be played many times but no one would be
able to sing the real lyrics.

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@ivelocairfa9872, 2021
" Orikiriza Charlie Brown  🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🥰, we use to sing the same in Kenya. 
We had girls name shiro ( short form of wanjiru) and they would be pissed off. I remember those sweet days walai."

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This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome. 

  

YouTube Comments From Africans About The Jamaican Dancehall Records "Bam Bam" & Murder She Wrote"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases 2014 vlog (video blog) posted by Ghanaian blogger Clifford Owusu entitled "The Song That Keeps Africans On The Dance Floor".

Although Owusu likes to keep his viewers guessing about which songs he's talking about, for the purpose of this pancocojams post I'm revealing that in that vlog he showcases the Jamaican Dancehall records "Bam Bam" and "Murder She Wrote".

This post features comments from Africans writing on that vlog's discussion thread about those two songs.

This pancocojams post also showcases a YouTube example of "Bam Bam" and presents several comments from Africans who posted on that discussion thread. In addition, this post showcases a YouTube sound file of songs with the "Bam Bam" riddim and highlights one discussion thread comment from a person who lived in Malawi and shares his memory of that "Bam Bam" riddim in that Southeastern African nation.

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The content of this post is presented as a means of documenting the popularity of certain examples of Caribbean music throughout most of the African continent.

The content of this post is also presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Pliers and Chaka Demus & Pliers for their musical legacy. Thanks also to Clifford Owusu for hosting an entertaining and informative video blog. Thanks also to all of those who are quoted this post and thanks to the publishers of these YouTube examples and all of the singers/musicians who are featured in those examples.
-snip-
Other pancocojams post about "Bam Bam" and "Murder She Wrote" can be found by entering those titles in pancocojams' internal search engine or by clicking the "dancehall reggae" tag below.

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-song-that-gets-africans-on-dance.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "The Song That Gets Africans On The Dance Floor", Vlog Part 1 , Part 2, & Part 3 (vlogs & selected comments)

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SHOWCASE YOUTUBE VGLO - The Song That Keeps Africans On The Dance Floor



Clifford Owusu, Published on Sep 14, 2014

At an African event, most Africans only want to hear African songs. However, a good DJ can't only play African music. There are certain non African songs that get Africans excited the same way an African song would. Check out this video to see one of those songs.
-snip-
True confession- I also used to think that "Bam Bam" & "Murder She Wrote" were the same song. However, let me take the liberty of correcting Clifford Owusu-"Bam Bam" & Murder She Wrote" are actually not recorded by the same artists.
(Read my comment about this after the sound file given as Example #2 below.)

Also, for informational purposes, the song playing at the end of that vlog is a short clip of Sister Nancy's version of "Bam Bam" which was recorded years before Plier's version of that song.
-snip-
Here are some comments from that vlog from Africans about the Jamaican Dancehall records "Bam Bam" and "Murder She Wrote" (One of these comments is from a person from the Caribbean who writes about his or her experiences with Nigerians regarding those two records).

The following comments are numbered for referencing purposes only.

2014
1. Alyon Isreal
"Wha ta bam bam. Even sound like an African word. Lol:"

**
2. Mrs. Uzochukwu
"OMG hahhha the party did not happen if that Murder She Wrote na play Charlie!"
-snip-
Explanations below for the word "na" and the word "Charlie" can be found in the pancocojams comment section below.

**
3. Sara K
"I used to think BAM BAM and Murder she wrote was one African song not 2 different non-African songs! Lol

**
REPLY
4. chantelle ballard
"O wow I didn't noticed until this video lol"

**
5. Beverley Natasha
"I'm one of those that thought the song was african (smh)"

****
2015
6. Tony Martins
"I used to think Bam Bam was an African song until I was about 16. That jam was so popular in Nigeria, everyone knew the song. That was my jam."

**
7. Baby1luvu
"lmao too funny. I am West Indian and I just got back from Nigeria. I swear the I had to give a whole lesson on Caribbean music. My brother in law swore half of them was African songs. needless to say I was cracking up watching this."

**
8. Nina Nanyonjo
"I come from Uganda and I have heard all of thoes songs."

**
9. Evalynn N
"love to see africans from different countries still have the same taste in music! kenyans play the first 4 on repeat, i swear"

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2016
10. Dinnik Beats
"I get why people thought Bam Bam was an African song because we used to sing it as "Daniel Omokachie" popular soccer player at the time."

**
11. Jerome Hassib
"when I go to family parties this turns them up I am sierra leonean"

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2017
12. Zyon Cetshwayo
"I thought dancehall was African music when I was younger"

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2018
13. Keishe Borlay
"IN LIBERIA THAT IS ONE OF our THE BEST TRANSITION SONGS......happy that we all have the same taste of music."

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Addendum Video Example #1:

Chaka Demus & Pliers - Bam Bam [sound file]



Luis Frade, Published on Feb 28, 2008
-snip-
I read this discussion thread and a few others for songs to see if I could find any conformation for Clifford Owusu's statement that is found in the vlog embedded above that many Africans not only know the songs "Bam Bam" & Murder She Wrote", but also many Africans believe that "Bam Bam' & "Murder She Wrote" are African songs.

Note that this now classic Jamaican Dancehall record was recorded by Pliers only. The also classic song with the same riddim entitled "Murder She Wrote" was recorded by Chaka Demus & Plier.
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this sound file's discussion thread:

1. MacD Kanye, 2010
"wall hahaha ahaha ha this man what a gwanaaa well loved in Zimbabwe"

**
2. orion219ful, 2011
"from sunny south africa - brings back so much memories......"

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3. mindcontrol31, 2015
"This song was played at every West African and Caribbean party I went to in the late 90s and early 00s"

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4. Bemsi Wallang, 2015
"African party playlist lol"

**
REPLY
5. clearence Quick, 2017
"Bemsi Wallang this not African this jamaking"

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REPLY
6. Arianna Hamilton, 2018
"clearence Quick Jamaican*"

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REPLY
7. A Crisթ Kinց Deás, 2018
"Jamaican music is played at West African parties too"

**
8. GraalOnlineEra, 2016
"This song is in every African Party lol."

**
9. Tomatorah Button, 2016
"this song was on top chart in Brazzaville Congo for 1 year at least"

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Example #2: bum bum ( bam bam ) riddim mix - vp records 1992 digi dancehall( delroy wilson, ricihie steps,)



Kingstoned - soundzz, Published on Apr 17, 2009

kee here's a new mix with a 90ties riddim , not everybody's cup of tea ,sounds a bit like a early ring tone riddim but it is a bubbling one with some nice lyrics so enjoy !!!
-snip-
Here's a comment from a person living in Malawi about the Dancehall record "Bam Bam":
Peter Swain, 2012
"Just found this, it really takes me back. I was living in Malawi between 92 to 94 and just about every street bar and bus I went in had this blasting out on a tinny system. It got under my skin and the only source I could find there were poor quality cassette tapes. Mine fell to pieces a long time ago. Thanks for the memory !"

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Jamaican Dancehall's "Bam Bam" (videos, information, lyrics, & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update- Feb. 11, 2024 

This pancocojams post provides videos, lyrics, comments, and information about Jamaican Dancehall's "Bam Bam" songs.

This post also includes information about Toots & The Maytals', Sister Nancy's, Chak Demus & Pliers' versions of this song.

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The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Toots & The Maytals for composing and recording this song. Thanks to all of the other singers and musicians who are featured in this post for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all of those who are quoted this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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LYRICS - BAM BAM (as found in Track 62 on Grand Theft Auto:San Andreas Official Sound track 1992)

(composed in 1965 by Pliers) Track 62 o

[Verse 1]

I want you to know that, I am the man who

Fight for the right, not the wrong

Seeing this and seeing that

Going here, and going there

Soon you will find out the man I'm supposed to be

 

[Chorus]

This man, don't trouble no one

But if you trouble this man it will bring a bam-bam

What a bam-bam

What a bam-bam, bam-bam

It'll bring a bam-bam

Bam-Bam, what a bam-bam

 

[Chorus]

This man, don't trouble no one

But if you trouble this man it will bring a bam-bam

What a bam-bam

What a bam-bam, bam-bam

It'll bring a bam-bam

It'll bring a bam-bam

Bam-Bam, what a bam-bam

Can't you hear that?

 

[Verse 2]

Want you to know that I am a man who

Fighting for the right, and, not the wrong

Seeing this, and, seeing that

Going here, and, going there

Soon you will find out the man I'm supposed to be

(Now, can't you hear that?)

[Verse 3]

Help this man, don't trouble no one

But if you trouble this man it will bring a bam-bam

What a bam-bam

What a bam-bam, bam-bam

It'll bring a bam-bam

Bam-Bam, what a bam-bam

It will bring a bam-bam

It will bring a bam-bam

It will bring a bam-bam

What a bam-bam, what a bam-bam

[Outro]

Can't you hear it?

-snip-
Online Source - https://genius.com/Pliers-bam-bam-lyrics

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INFORMATION ABOUT SISTER NANCY'S RECORDING OF "BAM BAM" [first released in 1982]

Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bam_Bam_(song)
""Bam Bam" is a song by Jamaican dancehall recording artist Sister Nancy. The song's chorus was inspired by the 1966 song of the same name, by The Maytals and Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.[1][2] The song's instrumental samples the 1974 song "Stalag 17", by Ansell Collins, a well known riddim, alternatively known as a backing track used repeatedly.[3][4] The song has been labeled as a "well-known reggae anthem" by BBC and a "classic" by The Observer.[5][6]

In 2016, Billboard called the song "a strong contender for the title of most sampled reggae song of all time."[2] When asked her opinion of the many songs that have used her voice over the years, she responded: "I don’t know if I hear all of them. They sample it so much times but none of them is my favorite. The reason why I say that is they know how to contact me. They know I live in the U.S. and nobody try to contact me to do it in person. They always sample the tune. If they had contacted me and I would do it for them live then I would have a favorite."[2]

In 2014, Sister Nancy's daughter pointed out that her song, “Bam Bam”, was playing on the TV during a Reebok commercial and thus she finally decided seek legal advice and guidance on properly obtaining rights to her own music. For 32 years Sister Nancy did not receive any royalties for her song. At the end of the settlement she was unable to receive compensation for all 32 years of unpaid royalties, however, she did receive compensation for the last 10 years and then obtained 50% of the rights to her song “Bam Bam”. [7]

In 2015, the song topped the iTunes Reggae Chart.[8]

Released 1982
Format
CD single CD maxi Vinyl 7" 45 RPM
Recorded 1982
Studio Channel One Studios
Genre Reggae, dancehall
Length 3:16
Label Techniques Records
Songwriter(s)
Winston Riley, Ophlin Russell [Sister Nancy]
Producer(s) Winston Riley"

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Excerpt #2:
From https://genius.com/Sister-nancy-bam-bam-lyrics

Sister Nancy - Bam Bam
[Spoken Intro]

[Verse 1]
A me seh one ting Nancy cyaan understan
One ting Nancy cyaan understan
Wha' mek dem a talk 'bout me ambishan
Seh, wha' mek dem a talk 'bout me ambishan
'ca me seh some a dem a ax me whey me get it fram
'ca some a dem a ax me whey me get it fram
A true dem nuh know it's fram creation
A true dem nuh know it's-a fram creation

[Hook]
Bam bam, ey, what a bam bam
Bam bam dilla, bam bam
Bam bam dilla, bam bam
'ey what a bam bam, seh what a bam bam

[Verse 2]
Dis woman neva trouble no one
I'm a lady, I'm not a man
MC is my ambishan
I come fi nice up Jamaica

[Hook]
So bam bam, what a bam bam
Bam bam dilla, bam bam
Bam bam dilla, bam bam
'ey a me seh what a bam bam
Tell'em seh me seh what a bam bam
'ey ya, tell'em, tell'em

About Sister Nancy's "Bam Bam"
Now a classic reggae anthem, this song celebrates Sister Nancy’s success as a woman in the male-dominated dancehall scene of the 80s. Nancy was the first woman to perform at Reggae Sunsplash, a Jamaican reggae festival, and the first woman Jamaican DJ to tour internationally.

The song’s catchy hook has been sampled, remixed, covered, and interpolated in several songs after its release. This hook is in fact sampled from the 1965 song of the same title by the Maytals."

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Excerpt #3:
From the discussion thread for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcaPu9JPenU Bam Bam - Sister Nancy published by chinita41 on Sep 23, 2008

1. Shazzkid, 2017
"What came first, this version or the Chaka Demus and Pliers version"

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REPLY
2. LJTV, 2017
"Toots and Maytals 1965 did this song. Afterwards, it was sampled much like James Brown Funky Drummer"

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3. paul connelly, 2017
"they are two different songs chaka demus done a cover of toots and the maytals bam bam, this is sister nancy's own song called the same name but different song altogether."

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INFORMATION ABOUT PLIERS' "BAM BAM RECORD" [first released in 1990?]
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliers_(singer)
"Pliers (born Everton Bonner on 4 April 1963, Kingston, Jamaica), is a Jamaican Reggae singer best known for his collaborations with deejay Chaka Demus under the name Chaka Demus & Pliers. He is one of the Bonner brothers all of whom are reggae artists, including, Richie Spice and Spanner Banner.

Pliers started his career performing under the name 'Blues Melody', acquiring his more famous moniker due to an apparent similarity to fellow singer Pinchers.[1]

He had a number of early hits, working for producers such as Coxone Dodd and Winston Riley, but never achieved huge success as a solo artist, in contrast to the immense success of his partnership with Chaka Demus.

His solo song "Bam Bam" was featured on the fictional radio station K-Jah West in the soundtrack to the game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas."

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Excerpt #2:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaka_Demus_%26_Pliers
Chaka Demus & Pliers are a Jamaican reggae duo made up of deejay Chaka Demus (born John Taylor) and singer Pliers (born Everton Bonner), known for their hits "Tease Me" and "Murder She Wrote". As a duo, they enjoyed more commercial success with mainstream pop fans after their collaboration began in the early 1990s than either had in their previous solo career.[1]

[...]

Origin Kingston, Jamaica
Genres Reggae, dancehall
Years active 1991–present

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Excerpt #3:
Selected comments from the discussion thread for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz-G25XMXr4 Chaka Demus & Pliers - Bam Bam, published by Luis Frade, Feb 28, 2008 [Note that the song "Bam Bam" was recorded by Pliers alone and not by Chaka Demus & Pliers. However, that duo recorded "Murder She Wrote" which has the same riddim. [These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only and listed in chronological order, with the oldest comment given first, except for replies/]

1. Troy Sealy, 2009
"Its the "What A Bam Bam Riddim". More than one artist sings on the same riddim, or an artist sing more than one song on the same riddim."

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2. SaMga92, 2013
"The original song is "bam bam" by the legendary "Toots and the Maytals"!"

**
REPLY
3. CALICOTV301, 2014
"Why does this have the same beat as Murder She Wrote?"

**
REPLY
4. DeeEmStyles, 2014
"Because dancehall reggae songs are made under various beats called "riddims". Many artists do songs under a riddim."

**
REPLY
5. Jada Prendergast, 2014
"because in jamaica, you have 'riddims' which are beats dancehall artists use, its only recently that artists start to make their own riddims, there is less music on the same riddims now
back in the day this would be a popular riddim, and the people know what song is going to play even though they are on the same riddim"

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6. Jack-O P, 2015
"1990: "Bam Bam" is the B-side of the "Murder She Wrote" vinyl-single. "Murder She Wrote" features both Chaka Demus & Pliers. But "Bam Bam" has only one singer: Pliers. The instrumental "Riddim" in this song is arranged by Sly & Robbie. The original song "Bam Bam" by Toots & The Maytals is released in 1966."

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REPLY
7. spoose1, 2015
"what about sistah nancy?"

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REPLY
8. Jack-O P
"She made a dancehall version (I think in 1982) with different lyrics."
-snip-
Here's a comment from that discussion thread that differentiates "dancehall" from "reggae":
MS CURVY SILHOUETTE, 2009
"its not reggae ,its dancehall.....reggae is bob marley dennis brown etc.. but dancehall is beenie man elephant man vybz kartel bounty killa etc...but ragga , reggaeton, reggae, dancehall soca...we love dem all, because its the west indies, THE MUSIC OF GREAT PEOPLE...YEAHHH.... NUFF LOVE..."

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SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLES
Reminder: This is not a full listing of all the records with this Bam Bam Riddim.

These examples are not given in chronological order based on the release date of these records.

Example #1: Toots & The Maytals - Bam Bam - 1965



Sounds Good, Published on Nov 3, 2017

Toots and the Maytals, originally called The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. Enter in the channel and discover more music

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Example #2: Chaka Demus & Pliers - Murder She Wrote



culturaroots, Published on Nov 2, 2007

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Example #3: Sister Nancy - BAM BAM



johnreign, Uploaded on Dec 7, 2007

I heard this song while playing skate and decided to upload

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Example #4: Chaka Demus & Pliers - Bam Bam



lmfrade, Uploaded on Feb 28, 2008

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Example #5: Bam Bam Mix (Chaka Demus/Pliers etc..)



BootCampWuTang, Uploaded on May 28, 2008

Bam Bam Mix (Chaka Demus/Pliers etc..)
-snip-
UPDATE March 10, 2018: I deleted a comment that is no longer showing on this discussion thread and added these comments which attempt to identify some of the songs on this mix: [Additions and corrections are welcome]
1. zob658, 2008
"whats the one at 4 minutes"

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REPLY
2. siiimond, 2008
"BUju banton them a bleach"

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3. ELODIE .CANONNE, 2008
"Does someone know what's the mix at 4th minute? thank you"

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REPLY
4. bramptonman, 2008
"I think it's (Bam Bam- Pliers)"

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5. ajy2k8, 2008
"i like it after 2:37 murder she wrote"

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6. BlazinMami4upapi, 2009
"the song starting at 4:30 is called shelly anne by red rat."

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REPLY
7. Richard Rey, 2009
"actually its called oh noo by Red Rat"

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8. slabbabwoy, 2009
"wha dis first tune?"

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REPLY
Simone, 2009
"love like this before - faith evans :)"

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Example #6: bum bum ( bam bam ) riddim mix - vp records 1992 digi dancehall( delroy wilson, ricihie steps,)



Kingstoned - soundzzM Published on Apr 17, 2009

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Example #7: Example #7: Bam Bam - Shaggy & Toots



geejamrecordings, Uploaded on Dec 1, 2010

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