Bam Bam

The Maytals

About Bam Bam

"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. 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. The song has been labeled as a "well-known reggae anthem" by BBC and a "classic" by The Observer. In 2016, Billboard called the song "a strong contender for the title of most sampled reggae song of all time. " 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."In 2014, Sister Nancy's daughter pointed out that the song was playing on the TV in 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”. In 2015, the song topped the iTunes Reggae Chart. 


Year:
1988
3:11
323 
#6

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Ah?
I want you to know that I am the man who
Fight for the right, not for the wrong
Going there, I'm growing there
Helping the weak against the strong
Soon you will find out the man I'm supposed to be

Help this man, don't trouble no man
But if you trouble that man it will bring a bam bam
What a bam bam
Bam bam
See that?
Bam bam
It will bring a bam bam
Can you see that?

Ah? (it will bring a bam bam)
What a bam bam (what a bam bam)
Can you see that? (what a bam bam)
Hear what I say (what a bam bam)
Yeah hey (what a bam bam)
(what a bam bam?)

This man, don't trouble no man
He know you go to nourish man
This man, don't trouble no man
This man is friend and is trying to trouble no man
That's if you trouble this man
It going to bring a bam bam
What a bam bam
Get a bam bam?

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


The Maytals

The Maytals, known from 1972 to 2020 as Toots and the Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group, one of the best known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music. Frontman Toots Hibbert, who died in 2020, was considered a reggae pioneer on par with Bob Marley. His soulful vocal style was compared to Otis Redding, and led him to be named by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 Greatest Singers. After Hibbert's death, the Maytals indicated that they would continue as a working group.Their 1968 single "Do the Reggay" was the first song to use the word "reggae", coining the name of the genre and introducing it to a global audience. The Oxford English Dictionary credits Toots and the Maytals… more »

0 fans

Written by: Frederick Hibbert

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Artist History
"Bam Bam" is a popular reggae song that has been performed several times by different artists. It was initially recorded by the Jamaican reggae group known as "The Maytals" in 1966.
Author of Original Version
The original version of "Bam Bam" was composed by the lead vocalist of "The Maytals", Toots Hibbert.
Reggae Festival Winning
The classic 1966 version of "Bam Bam" by “The Maytals” won the first-ever Jamaican Independence Festival Popular Song Competition.
Popularity
Known as one of the most popular songs in the history of Jamaican music, "Bam Bam" has been covered and remixed by various artists over the years, with some versions gaining significant international attention.
Byron Lee's Version
Renowned Jamaican musician Byron Lee, along with his band "The Dragonaires," popularly covered this song in the 1980s. Their version extended the reach of the song, bringing it to wider audiences.
Sister Nancy’s Version
Sister Nancy also covered "Bam Bam" in 1982. Her version is the most globally recognized, thanks to its feature in various films, advertisements, and tv series.
Usage in Productions
Sister Nancy's version of the song was notably used during the boxing scene in the film "The Interview" and is featured prominently in the soundtrack for the Netflix show "Narcos."
Lyrics Adaptation
Sister Nancy's rendition of "Bam Bam" was reshaped to reflect her individual style and lyrics, making it a unique interpretation rather than a direct cover of The Maytals’ original.
Song Significance
The song “Bam Bam” played a significant role in the evolution of reggae music and its advancement across various pop cultures worldwide.
Popularity in the US
The song surged in popularity in the United States after it was sampled in the 1993 hit single "Here Comes the Hotstepper" by Ini Kamoze.
Lyrics Inspiration
The lyrics of the original song were reportedly inspired by the Bible story about Samson and Delilah from the Book of Judges.
Sales & Streaming
"Bam Bam", particularly Sister Nancy's version, continues to enjoy a high number of sales and streams, proving its timeless appeal.

Discuss the Bam Bam Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Bam Bam Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3343291/The+Maytals/Bam+Bam>.

    Missing lyrics by The Maytals?

    Know any other songs by The Maytals? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Bam Bam

    243.5K
    2,443     49

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which artist has won the most GRAMMYs in history?
    A John Alldis
    B Alexander Faris
    C Georg Solti
    D John Wilson

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss The Maytals's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    The Maytals tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Bam Bam

    »