Tenement Yard

Album: Tenement Yard (1978)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This reggae song is a personal lament for Rastas lack of privacy in the ghettos of Jamaica.
  • Inner Circle attached the moniker "killer" to its new lead singer, Jacob Miller, and in 1976 the musical rampage began. This was the first song he recorded with the group. Miller died in 1981 in a car crash on Hope Road in Kingston. With Jacob's death Inner Circle was thrown into a stage of chaotic readjustment. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Warwick, RI, for above 2

Comments: 2

  • Simon from Brussels, BelgiumYou're right, but songwriting is not like politics. If you look at songteksts like this, they can still be very good. I love this song too :-).
  • Keisha Medley from Portmore, Jamaicathis is a good song in that Mr. Miller speaks about his problems in this manner. but what he should have done instead of just stating his problems he should have listed some solutions along with those problems. but i love the song bcuz its good
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.