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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.
Can I Change My Mind / featuring D. J. Ranking Barnabbas
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought she would cry, or sit around my room and grieve
But oh the girl she fooled me this time
Acting like I was the last thing on her mind
Now I'd like to start all over again
I just want to change my mind
As I took those steps, toward that open door
She didn't give me no sign
Nothing that would make me wanna change my mind
And I would like to start all over again
Baby, can I change my mind
'Cause I would like to change my mind
You know, I was confused, sitting here by myself thinking
watching you walk to the door and walk away
what was I supposed to say change your mind
Oh I've played my game so many times before
But people let me tell y'all, that I never reached the door
Oh the wind it is high tonight
I keep lookin' for my baby but she's not in sight
And I would like to start all over again
Baby can I change my mind
'Cause I would like to start all over again
Baby can I change my, my mind
'Cause I would like to start all over again with you girl
The lyrics to "Can I Change My Mind" by Gregory Isaacs speak to a man who is leaving his lover, but realizes as he tries to walk out the door that he doesn't want to leave her. However, to his surprise, she doesn't resist his departure or show any signs of sadness. He is left wondering whether or not he can change his mind, start over, and stay with her.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for how the singer anticipated his lover to react when he packed his bags to leave. He expected her to cry or at least, show some emotions that would make him reconsider, but she remained stoic. As he walks away, he realizes that he wants to start over, and it's not until he steps out the door does he realize that he doesn't want to go. The persona then contemplates whether or not he can change his mind and go back to his lover.
The shift in the song's mood is conveyed in the chorus, where the persona pleads to his lover for another chance to start anew. He acknowledges that he has played games before, but this time he is sincere in his desire to stay with her. He admits that he is confused and didn't know what to say as she walked out the door. He further confesses that he has been looking for her, but she is nowhere to be found. He ends the song with a final plea to his lover to let him come back and start all over again.
Line by Line Meaning
She didn't bat an eye, as I packed my bags to leave
My partner showed no emotions when I decided to leave
I thought she would cry, or sit around my room and grieve
I expected my partner to be sad and mourn my departure
But oh the girl she fooled me this time
However, she surprised me this time with her lack of reaction
Acting like I was the last thing on her mind
She acted like I didn't mean much to her.
Now I'd like to start all over again
Now, I crave to revisit my decision and start afresh
I just want to change my mind
I simply want to change my decision
As I took those steps, toward that open door
As I was leaving my partner's place
Knowing all the time, oh Lord I just didn't wanna go
Even though I was leaving, I didn't want to
She didn't give me no sign
My partner showed no sign that would make me change my mind
Nothing that would make me wanna change my mind
She didn't give me any reason to reconsider my decision
You know, I was confused, sitting here by myself thinking
I was sitting alone, confused and pondering about my decision
Watching you walk to the door and walk away
I was watching my partner leave
What was I supposed to say change your mind
I was unsure of what to say to make my partner reconsider
Oh I've played my game so many times before
I've made this type of decision many times before
But people let me tell y'all, that I never reached the door
However, I've never actually left before
Oh the wind it is high tonight
The wind was blowing heavily that night
I keep lookin' for my baby but she's not in sight
I was searching for my partner, but she wasn't around
Baby can I change my mind
I want to revisit my decision and start afresh with my partner
'Cause I would like to start all over again
I want to have a fresh and new beginning
'Cause I would like to start all over again with you girl
I want to start afresh with you, my partner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry George Despenza, Carl Wolfolk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eras
on Good Morning
Anyone with out deh lyrics by Gregory isaacs
Garvey Ufot
on Dieting
Lord
Lord
I sit and wonder have I sinned
As I partake of my dieting, yeah
Just to know that every day, oh yeah
My whole life depend on a food tray, yeah
An happy day, a night of pain
I wonder when this a-term will end
Cos I'm a man and I've got to go
I don't know when I'm gonna get parole
But I'm a-one day
I'm a-one day
Yes, I'm a-one day
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
The place in which that I dwell, Lord knows
Was just an old iron gate in hell, yeah
But still I survive
The foolish man always build strife
Nuh want no baton stick come bruck me bone
The worldly man, leave me alone
Cos I'm a man and I've got to go
I don't know when I'm gonna get parole
But I'm a-one day
I'm a-one day
Yes, I'm a-one day
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
Uunh
One day closer to home
I sit and wonder have I sinned, Lord God
As I partake of my dieting
Hurts to know that every day, every long day
My whole life depend on a food tray
An happy day, a night of pain
I wonder when this a-term will end
Cos I'm a man and I've got to go
I don't know when I'm gonna get parole
But I'm a-one day
I'm a-one day
I'm a-one day
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
One day closer to home
To home
I need, aah
To home
One day closer
Garvey Ufot
on Dieting
The tune, 'Dieting', is absolutely, totally and completely the hottest and the coolest tune in this album. It is absolutely massive. It is my absolute best. Anyone who thinks otherwise has NOT listened to it yet. It is heartrending in its story -- Gregory's harrowing experience in prison -- hard in its riddim (Roots Radics at their best) and soul uplifting in its melody. Jesus! Are you guys kidding me? 'Dieting' is without parrallel in this album.
Gicharu
on A Few Words
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
Gicharu
on Front Door
"The white men lose", does not make sense...."While I may lose"
Gicharu
on Better Plant Some Loving
This was my best cassette of G.I , all songs with the exception of Let off Supm, were classic love songs. His collabo with Dennis Brown on Let off Supm was a gem
Vinnie
on Good Morning
Great vives!
Bruce Booker
on Out Deh
I really would like to have the lyrics of gregory isaacs dieting song.
Valmir Machado
on Night Nurse
brasill é regaee, é nois mano
Evelyne De Batavia
on If I Don't Have You
Wonderful