Clinton Fearon was the former bass player for 'The Gladiators' and now is s… Read Full Bio ↴Clinton Fearon was the former bass player for 'The Gladiators' and now is solo.

From his website:

If you know reggae music, you know Clinton 'Basie' Fearon. Clinton Fearon is counted among Jamaica's most talented musicians by peers and professionals in the Reggae music industry. His infectious bass riffs, guitar licks, percussion accents and powerful vocals make Bassie a living legend amongst reggae musicians and fans.

As a youth, Bassie went to Kingston to eventually become the well-known bassist, vocalist and lyricist for The Gladiators as well as a house musician for Coxsonne Dodd’s Studio One and Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark Studio. Fearon recorded many of Perry's best known songs, including Roast Fish and Cornbread which features one of Fearon's most famous bass lines. He also composed some everlasting basslines for Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many many others.

Follow the Rainbow
Clinton Fearon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll follow the rain, the rain the rain the rain the
rainbow rainbow
Follow the rainbow
And follow the rain the rain the rain the rain the
rainbow rainbow
Follow the rainbow

There's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

Broad is the way to elsewhere
Narrow is the way to our equal share
The road may be rugged an stiff
But I I won't let go
Oh no no no no no no no no no no

What is for Peter cannot be for Paul
What is for James cannot be for John
What is for Harry cannot be for Tom
What is for Marcus cannot be for Rufus

Want you to know
What is for I cannot be for another man

So I'll follow the rain the rain the rain of the
rainbow rainbow
Follow the rainbow
I'll follow the rain the rain the rain oh yes the
rainbow rainbow
Follow the rainbow

There's a pot of gold, at the end of the rainbow
Broad is the way to elsewhere
Narrow is the way to our equal share
The road may be rugged an stiff
But I I won't let go
Oh no no no no no no no no no no

What is for Peter cannot, be for Paul,
What is for James cannot be for John
What is for Harry cannot be for Tom
What is for Rufus cannot be for Marcus

Want you to know
What is for I cannot be for another man

So I'll follow the rain the rain the rain of the
rainbow rainbow
Follow the rainbow
I'll follow the rain the rain the rain the rain oh yes
the rainbow

Follow the rainbow
Lyrics found here

Overall Meaning

In "Follow the Rainbow," Clinton Fearon sings about following the rainbow to get to the pot of gold at its end. However, the song is more than just a literal meaning. The rainbow serves as a metaphor for following one's hopes and dreams. The chorus repeats the phrase "follow the rain, the rain the rain, the rainbow" as a reminder to stay optimistic even when things might seem gloomy or uncertain. Fearon urges listeners to take the narrow path towards their dreams, even if it is more challenging than taking the broad way that leads elsewhere.

Fearon also acknowledges that everyone's journey is unique and that what may work for one person may not work for another. He highlights this idea with the repetition of "What is for Peter cannot be for Paul" and continues to name different pairs of people. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that what may be best for one person may not be the same for someone else.

Overall, "Follow the Rainbow" encourages listeners to keep pushing towards their dreams, even if it may be difficult. Fearon stresses the importance of individuality and following one's own path rather than following someone else's.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll follow the rain, the rain the rain the rain the rainbow rainbow
I will follow the rainbows after the rain to find my treasure

Follow the rainbow
Continue to pursue the path that leads to the pot of gold

There's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
The end goal is riches beyond imagination

Broad is the way to elsewhere
It is easy to lose track of our true goals

Narrow is the way to our equal share
Success requires a focused approach and hard work

The road may be rugged an stiff
The path to success will be challenging and difficult

But I I won't let go
Despite difficulties, we must remain determined to succeed

What is for Peter cannot be for Paul
Each individual has their own unique path to follow

What is for James cannot be for John
Success is not a one-size-fits-all solution

What is for Harry cannot be for Tom
Each person must find their own way

What is for Marcus cannot be for Rufus
Success is not transferable and cannot be handed over to someone else

Want you to know
I want everyone to understand

What is for I cannot be for another man
No one can live another person's life, everyone must find their own way

I'll follow the rain the rain the rain of the rainbow rainbow Follow the rainbow I'll follow the rain the rain the rain oh yes the rainbow rainbow Follow the rainbow
I will never give up on my quest, I'll keep following the rainbows and the path that leads to success

Contributed by Anthony N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS