Bob Andy, born Keith Anderson in Kingston in 1944, is one of Jamaica’s greatest songwriters. He wrote “I’ve Got to Go Back Home” in 1967, reached number five on the British charts in 1970 with Marcia Griffiths, and was awarded the Order of Distinction in 2006. His career, however, began on the streets.
Bob Andy, a homeless child from Kingston
As a child, Bob Andy had neither a stable home nor a real school. He would later describe himself as a runaway who was practically homeless, sleeping rough in Rockfort, Kingston. Placed in the Maxfield Park children’s home, he taught himself to play the piano and sang in the choir at Kingston Parish Church.
This education, though he never earned a diploma, would remain a source of pride for him. It was in the choir that the young Keith Anderson befriended Tyrone Evans. Together, they formed a vocal group, the Binders, which later became the Paragons. He wrote songs for the group, but a disagreement with lead singer John Holt led him to leave. The group continued without him, and he set out on his own.
Studio One, or How a Runaway Became a Lyricist
In Kingston, Coxsone Dodd’s studio on Brentford Road became his school. Bob Andy delivered records there, held auditions for young singers, and wrote songs. He even lived there for a while. In 1967, “I’ve Got to Go Back Home,” a song about the longing to return home, became his first solo hit. This was followed by “Too Experienced” and “My Time” in 1968, then “Desperate Lover” and “Unchained” in 1969.
He also wrote songs for other artists. “I Don’t Want to See You Cry” for Ken Boothe, “It’s Impossible” for Delroy Wilson, and several of Marcia Griffiths’ early hits, including “Feel Like Jumping” and “Truly.” These songs helped launch the singer’s career and established the lyricist as a central figure in Jamaican music.
1970: Bob and Marcia Take on the United Kingdom
In 1970, producer Harry “Harry J” Johnson suggested that the duo Bob and Marcia cover “Young, Gifted and Black,” a song by Nina Simone. The song reached number five on the UK charts, followed by “Pied Piper,” which peaked at number eleven in 1971. The duo appeared on “Top of the Pops” and went on tour with Elton John and Gilbert O’Sullivan. A singer from Kingston found his way into British homes.
"Fire Burning," the song Jamaica House can't forget
Back in Jamaica, Bob Andy wrote about what the country was going through. In 1974, “Fire Burning” reached number one on the island amid a tense political climate. Prime Minister Michael Manley reportedly summoned him to Jamaica House to explain himself. The singer stood by his message, that a fire was smoldering within the people because of their living conditions. Around the same time, “Check It Out” took aim at multinational corporations.
What This Lyricist Has Brought to Jamaica
Bob Andy demonstrated that a Jamaican song could be considered popular literature. He writes about poverty, about newly won independence, and about returning to one’s ancestral homeland, and Rastafarianism fuels his vision. He also maintains control over his work, founded the publishing house Andisongs, and is said to have turned down contracts from foreign record labels to remain independent.
The lyricist’s life extended beyond the recording studio. In the late 1970s, tired of the music industry, he turned to dance with the National Dance Theatre Company, and then to film, notably in *The Mighty Quinn* in 1989. In 1987, he became a talent scout for Tuff Gong, the Marley family’s record label. In 2005, he performed before a crowd in Addis Ababa during the concert celebrating Bob Marley’s 60th birthday.
In October 2006, the Jamaican government awarded the lyricistthe Order of Distinction, at the rank of Commander, for his contribution to the country’s music. His songs have since been covered by Marcia Griffiths, Barrington Levy, and Tarrus Riley. Thus, a Jamaican songwriter’s influence continues to reach far beyond the island.
A tribute and a book to preserve her memory
Bob Andy died on March 27, 2020, at the age of 75, from cancer. In 2023, the album *We Remember Bob Andy*, produced by Dean Fraser and released by VP Records, featured Beres Hammond, Romain Virgo, and Richie Spice on its tracks. On October 27, 2026, a tribute was held at the Night Market on Hillcrest Avenue in Saint Andrew, the day before what would have been his 82nd birthday. His son, Godfrey “Bobby” Anderson, is also preparing a biography for Reggae Month 2027, driven by a single fear: that his father might be forgotten. Who still writes about Jamaica the way this lyricist did?
Frequently Asked Questions About Bob Andy
Bob Andy, born Keith Anderson on October 28, 1944, in Kingston, was a Jamaican singer and songwriter who died on March 27, 2020, at the age of 75. He wrote hits such as “I’ve Got to Go Back Home” and “Fire Burning.”
“I’ve Got to Go Back Home,” released in 1967, was Bob Andy’s first major solo hit. “Fire Burning,” which reached number one in Jamaica in 1974, was covered by Marcia Griffiths.
Bob and Marcia is the duo formed by Marcia Griffiths and Bob Andy. They reached number five on the UK charts in 1970 with “Young, Gifted and Black,” and then number eleven in 1971 with “Pied Piper.”
