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Gregory Isaacs (born on 15 July 1951 in Fletchers Land, Kingston, Jamaica and died on 25 October 2010 in London) was a Reggae singer and songwriter. Gregory Anthony Isaacs is known as "The Cool Ruler" for his seductive crooning vocal style. Gregory attributed his greatest musical influences to R&B greats Sam Cooke and Percy Sledge, in addition to Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis and Ken Boothe.
In the late 1960s, Gregory first performed in a vocal trio called The Concords, after being encouraged by Byron Lee. By 1970 the group had split up. He subsequently formed his own label, African Museum.
In the late 1970s he emerged as one of the most prolific and popular recording artists in Jamaica. He released a number of self-produced singles on his own African Museum (JA) label with Errol Dunkley. Much of Isaacs' output reflected the 'conscious' themes of Roots Reggae, but Isaacs was equally adept at interpreting more mainstream Lovers Rock material. Early hits include "My Only Lover", "Sinner Man" and "Mr. Cop", recorded at Lee Perry's Black Ark Studio.
A period in the 1970s with the GG's label and its producer Alvin Ranglin produced hits like "Border" and "Number One".
Personal problems affected him, particularly battles with a cocaine addiction and a possession charge, which prevented him from touring in North America for a significant part of his career, until a pardon could eventually be secured.
Isaacs recorded with a number of producers, including the Riddim Twin's (Sly & Robbie) Taxi Records, who gave them their first hit with 1979's "Soon Forward" , After a series of releases with Sly & Robbie, Gregory built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. In addition to these local Jamaican labels, The Cool Ruler had had releases on Trojan, VP, Virgin's Front Line and English producer Tad A. Dawkin's Tad's Records. Isaacs would would eventually sign with Chris Blackwell's Island Records which resulted in the international release of Night Nurse (1982) and Out Deh! (1983).
Perhaps his most popular recordings in his native Jamaica are "All I Have Is Love", "Mr. Brown" and "Hard Drugs", the latter being an anti-drug anthem that dominated radio in the late 1980s and was released as a hidden track on England's Tad Records All I Have Is Love, Love Love LP.
In the 1990s Gregory's African Museum label continued to release all of Gregory Isaacs' music, and that of artists he produced. He continued to record and perform live in the 2000s, and it has been estimated that Isaacs has released over 500 records in his career, which includes singles and compilations.
Isaacs, who was 59 years old, died of lung cancer on 25 October 2010 at his home in London where he spent part of his time. A sad loss to the world.
A Few Words
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need a few words with you to say that I do
But please don′t take this love for granted
Like many didn't go, oh no, no
I can′t take the word no more
Because my heart has been tampered with before
Now soon you tried, she couldn't make it
And with me, I couldn't take it
Becah they never knew the use of a good thing
Until they′ve lost it
Until they′ve lost it
When they lost it
They feel it
A few words
That's all I need
Now soon you tried, she couldn′t make it
And with me, I couldn't take it no, no
For they never knew the use of a good thing
Until they′ve lost it
That's the time they feel it
When they lost it
That′s the time they feel it
A few words
I need with you
Don't take it for granted
No, no
A few words
That's all I need
Don′t whont na be lonely
The song “A Few Words” by Gregory Isaacs is a love song that speaks of the essence of communication in keeping relationships together. The singer requests an opportunity to have a brief conversation with his lover, emphasizing the need to express his deep love for her. He, however, warns her not to take his love for granted, citing the common tendency of people to neglect the importance of their partners until they lose them.
The lyrics further reveal the singer’s past experiences in relationships where his heart has been tampered with and hurt before. He mentions a woman who tried but couldn’t make it, and in the same way, he couldn’t take it. He, therefore, values communication as a means of preventing misunderstandings, avoiding the pain of losing a good thing and keeping the relationship together.
The song's theme is reinforced by the repeated phrase, "Until they've lost it, that's the time they feel it". The song's chorus, "A few words, that's all I need", echoes Gregory Isaac's desire for a few words of love and reaffirmation from his lover. Overall, the song is a soulful and romantic plea for open communication and appreciation in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a few words with you, yeah, to say that I love you
I need to have a conversation with you to express my feelings of love towards you.
I can′t take the word no more
I cannot handle any more rejection or disappointment.
Because my heart has been tampered with before
My heart has been hurt in the past by someone who betrayed my trust or manipulated my emotions.
For they never knew the use of a good thing
Until they′ve lost it
That's the time they feel it
When they lost it
That′s the time they feel it
People often fail to appreciate the value of something good until they no longer have it. Only then do they realize what they have lost.
A few words
That's all I need
I only need a few simple expressions of affection to feel loved and appreciated.
Don't take it for granted
No, no
Please do not assume that my love is unconditional or that I will always be there for you no matter what.
Writer(s): Gregory Isaacs
Contributed by Thomas M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gicharu
Cool Ruler had classic voice, ......one of those voice one can't imitate. these songs sang more than 30 years ago will still be played and relevant more than a century later... R.I.P
@dennismarigi1412
Just a few words with you, yeah, to say that I love you
I need a few words with you to say that I do
But please don't take this love for granted
Like many didn't go, oh no, no
I can't take the word no more
Because my heart has been tampered with before
Now soon you tried, she couldn't make it
And with me, I couldn't take it
Becah they never knew the use of a good thing
Until they've lost it
Until they've lost it
When they lost it
They feel it
A few words
That's all I need
Now soon you tried, she couldn't make it
And with me, I couldn't take it
For they never knew the use of a good thing
Until they've lost it
That's the time they feel it
When they lost it
That's the time they feel it
A few words
I need with you
Don't take it for granted
No, no
A few words
That's all I need
@ibrahimbakayoko5061
Thanks again for you Grégory ❤
@jak1oak677
Robbie yuh was born to play bass my goshhhh it too sweet fawudddd it back againnn
@jpacesmojica
Big tune !
@mrtriggerhappy2150
Yeah wicked tune 2021 we deya
@thomasbridgeman5817
This is one I hadn't heard b4..definetly bass heavy n dub worthy..Gregory is so brilliant and his works are plentiful soulful and guaranteed to please the ear
@ronaldandrews6822
OMG That Bass drop doe, I love them horns Gregory, RIP the Reggae King!!! Da masses don’t know yet! But in due time, until they lost it , that’s the time they feel it !!!
@shireenbarry9678
2020 💋
@idokomichael6800
Hmm. .A few words is what we need and shouldn't be takin for granted cos we neva knew the use those good words until we lost it. And when we lost it, that's the time we feel it. From the cool ruler himself. We love you. RIP..!
@oppongkwabena2174
just a few words to that I love you please don't take this love for granted