Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: ska
Song Meaning of “Funky Kingston – Live In New Orleans / 1991” by Toots & The Maytals
Funky Kingston – Live in New Orleans / 1991 is an upbeat song by reggae legends Toots & The Maytals, who were key figures in popularizing reggae music. The song captures the vibrant energy of the New Orleans music scene and the positive atmosphere that the band had during their live performance here.
The lyrics reflect the powerful joy that comes with being part of a vibrant community. The song opens with the lines, “Everybody in the town they’re dancing to a funky beat, rock it to the left, taking it to the right.” This speaks to the culture of New Orleans and how people from different backgrounds come together to share in their love of music.
The chorus of “Funky Kingston, living in a funky town” also emphasizes the importance of community to the song. The town of Kingston, Jamaica is closely associated with reggae music, and the mention of it here speaks to the deep roots of the music in the culture and how important it is to the artists.
In the bridge, Toots speaks to how reggae music can be a great unifier, saying, “Everybody one in the same vibe, rock it up now, throw your hands in the sky.” In this section, he encourages everyone in the audience to join together in the song regardless of their differences, showing how powerful music can be.