Record producers/labels in Jamaica have traditionally been controlling, paying artists one time for their songs and retaining all rights etc. When this song was written 3 major record companies controlled the industry in Jamaica, so if you were an aspiring artist, if you dd not record for them your record wouldn't get airplay or distribution (watch the Jimmy Cliff film "The harder they come")
These 3 record companies were so sure of themselves that they actually joined forced and put out albums as "Big T'ree Records". The arrogance of this caused the wailers to do this song.
Although it can be interpreted as David overcoming Goliath in almost any situation, 'Small Axe' like much of Marley's music (and Jamaican music as a whole) is social commentary on what was going on and important at that time. Actually the majority of Jamaican music has more specific social meanings and its quite interesting hearing them again after you realize whats really being said.
Record producers/labels in Jamaica have traditionally been controlling, paying artists one time for their songs and retaining all rights etc. When this song was written 3 major record companies controlled the industry in Jamaica, so if you were an aspiring artist, if you dd not record for them your record wouldn't get airplay or distribution (watch the Jimmy Cliff film "The harder they come")
These 3 record companies were so sure of themselves that they actually joined forced and put out albums as "Big T'ree Records". The arrogance of this caused the wailers to do this song.
Although it can be interpreted as David overcoming Goliath in almost any situation, 'Small Axe' like much of Marley's music (and Jamaican music as a whole) is social commentary on what was going on and important at that time. Actually the majority of Jamaican music has more specific social meanings and its quite interesting hearing them again after you realize whats really being said.