Er..what are those words again?
December 28, 2008 10:17 AM Subscribe
So, I've been recently discovered (that is, new to me) a killer catchy dance song by Teddybears, featuring Mad Cobra, called "Cobrastyle." I looked up the lyrics because I don't have an ear for what I guess is Jamaican slang/patois....
I found the lyrics here but I don't quite get all of it. Does someone here understand the slang? Can you translate it for me so that I sort of understand what the song is about?
And a follow up...I really dig this kind of music and don't even know what to call it. Suggestions for similar stuff?
I found the lyrics here but I don't quite get all of it. Does someone here understand the slang? Can you translate it for me so that I sort of understand what the song is about?
And a follow up...I really dig this kind of music and don't even know what to call it. Suggestions for similar stuff?
Response by poster: Okay, that much I got. What I was looking for was translation of the slang....like, "See who now fi spread it out more pon di tar."
What does "pon di tar" and the rest of the stuff in the song mean?
posted by Thistledown at 10:35 AM on December 28, 2008
What does "pon di tar" and the rest of the stuff in the song mean?
posted by Thistledown at 10:35 AM on December 28, 2008
Never heard this song before, but I've been around lots of Jamaicans. I'd say "pon di tar" means "upon the tar," or rather, "on the road."
posted by Mountain Goatse at 11:16 AM on December 28, 2008
posted by Mountain Goatse at 11:16 AM on December 28, 2008
It's basically dancehall, or borrowing heavily from dancehall but without the usual heavy rhythm of dancehall. Sort of like when Lady Saw worked with No Doubt and similar overlaps. Here is a more original version, minus the Swedish overlay (and here are what claims to be the more complete lyrics of that version). Take a look on Youtube for Lady Saw, Beenie Man, Bounty Killa, Buju Banton, Elephant Man, Sean Paul, and on and on and on. Also, check out the Afflicted Yard and the videos of Terry Lynn's music (some very NSFW).
There are some translations that can be found via google (example) but some of them are a lot better than others.
Punahussy was a new term for me; here is one possible definition, from Hawaiian slang. Or it could be a mistake in the transcription?
"See who now fi spread it out more pon di tar/See who now fi change license plate pon car " means "See who's going to have to spread out flat on the street (asphalt)/See who's going to have to change the license plate on their car (go into hiding)" -- in other words, fuck with him and he'll lay you out on the ground; you'll have to run and hide like a bitch.
"Siddung and a plan fi come put man pon fridge/Memba when yuh dig hole a two yuh fi dig" means "Sit down and plan to come and ice(kill) me/Remember when you dig a grave you need to dig one for yourself, too." Go ahead and plan your attack; he's not worried and will kill you first.
And so on -- it's a basic bad man song, lots of threats and posturing. It's kind of long to go through and translate line by line, but I think you can catch the idea.
posted by Forktine at 11:41 AM on December 28, 2008 [1 favorite]
There are some translations that can be found via google (example) but some of them are a lot better than others.
Punahussy was a new term for me; here is one possible definition, from Hawaiian slang. Or it could be a mistake in the transcription?
"See who now fi spread it out more pon di tar/See who now fi change license plate pon car " means "See who's going to have to spread out flat on the street (asphalt)/See who's going to have to change the license plate on their car (go into hiding)" -- in other words, fuck with him and he'll lay you out on the ground; you'll have to run and hide like a bitch.
"Siddung and a plan fi come put man pon fridge/Memba when yuh dig hole a two yuh fi dig" means "Sit down and plan to come and ice(kill) me/Remember when you dig a grave you need to dig one for yourself, too." Go ahead and plan your attack; he's not worried and will kill you first.
And so on -- it's a basic bad man song, lots of threats and posturing. It's kind of long to go through and translate line by line, but I think you can catch the idea.
posted by Forktine at 11:41 AM on December 28, 2008 [1 favorite]
only tangentially related, but: robyn's cover is excellent.
posted by lia at 12:58 PM on December 28, 2008
posted by lia at 12:58 PM on December 28, 2008
Certain likkle bwoy we a stop deal wid/Claim seh dem a friend and dem badmind deh friend - We stopped doing business with this punk kid/he claimed to be on our side then stabbed us in the back
You can kinda work it out :) If you like this stuff, I'd recommend the compilation An England Story - it was what I imagined cities sounded like in the 1980s.
posted by mippy at 2:53 PM on December 28, 2008
You can kinda work it out :) If you like this stuff, I'd recommend the compilation An England Story - it was what I imagined cities sounded like in the 1980s.
posted by mippy at 2:53 PM on December 28, 2008
I love this song and have been also baffled by the lyrics - thanks for asking and thanks for the answers so far!
posted by grapefruitmoon at 6:07 PM on December 28, 2008
posted by grapefruitmoon at 6:07 PM on December 28, 2008
I just checked out the An England Story compilation. It's fantastic!
posted by Arbac at 1:12 AM on December 29, 2008
posted by Arbac at 1:12 AM on December 29, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Chairboy at 10:29 AM on December 28, 2008