From the recording The Grass
The grass is always greener on the other side –which is to say, don’t listen to your envy because it is misleading you! This song reminds us that while this is ultimately a personal fight, there are powerful forces out there trying to lure us back to the dark side. Despite this, the track is spunky and playful in its delivery. The conclusion: let’s have a Reggae party because dancing is belonging!!
“The Grass” was written in 2011 and previously released as part of Jr Dreads’ EP Eclipse. This new version was recorded with genuine Reggae musicians from the San Francisco East Bay and packs a lot more punch. Contributors include famed Bay Area drummer Razor Blade, Manny San Gabriel on bass guitar, and the young and talented Gabriel Winter on keyboards and production. Jah Omi sings backing vocals. Recording and mixing were placed under the care of BZ Lewis at Studio 132 in Oakland, and credits go to Downbeat Mastering for the final master track.
Lyrics
Everyone seems so decided
Are we blind-sided?
Pursuing popularity
Only to obtain vanity
My sense is that the competition
Can indeed bring an inhibition
Babylon has a way to seduce
Showing us how to be glamorous
We all crave a bit of attention
In-a-dis media-crazy nation
Wanna see wanna hear wanna be
Wanna possess wanna success
The grass is always greener on the other side
The spotlight takes control of our pride
Everything seems so cut and dry
But I can't see why
Dinero's completely loco
When people matter less than dough
My sense is that the money power
Is indeed making us all poorer
When you get more, I feel left behind
So that I throw myself in the grind
Everyone wants a piece of the pie
And will sacrifice all the sublime
Wanna earn wanna spend wanna save
Wanna possess wanna success
The grass is always greener on the other side
The spotlight takes control of our pride
The grass is always greener on the other side
It only gets greener with every stride
Watcha gonna do watcha mama wantchou do
Watcha gonna be watcha papa wantchou be
Watchamona be watcha wanna mona be
Watchya gonna be watchya wanna gonna be
Ama gonna be ama wanna gonna be?
Ayou gonna be ayou gonna wanna be?
Maybe amonabe ama wanna gonna be
Watchya wanna be o watcha wanna be
We can always paint the grass
But we cannot fool ourselves
So I keep banging, I don't stop asking
As a lone singer
Strumming my guitar
You may want to eat the grass
But watch out for your guts
Though it looks tempting, I keep refusing
As an off-singer
Strumming my guitar
So why don't we smoke the grass
This way we can all relax
And I keep lighting, I find it thrilling
As a stone singer
Strumming my guitar
Are you ready, are you ready?
Are you ready for a Reggae party?
Are you ready, are you ready?
Are you ready for a Reggae party?
The grass is green