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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.
Diplomatic Fool
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
เดี๋ยวนี้เจ้าเป็นสาวกรุง หมายมุ่งได้เป็นดารา
เคยนุ่งผ้าถุงเก็บผักบุ้ง ริมคลองก่อนมา
เปลี่ยนไปนุ่งสั้นโชว์ขา ใส่เอวลอยตามยุคสมัย
(ญ) ใจสาวภูธรจะขาดรอนๆ เมื่อตอนจากกัน
จำเป็นต้องมาหางาน จากบ้านมาไกลแสนไกล
ฝนในเมื่องกรุง คิดถึงท้องทุ่งถิ่นเคยเกิดกาย
(ช) ข่าวว่าคนดี มีคนมั่งมีอุ้มชูเมตตา
เดี๋ยวนี้เขียนคิ้วแต่งหน้า กลัวเสียท่าเขาแล้วคนดี
พี่กลัวความหอม จะถูกเด็ดดอมไปบ้านเศรษฐี
บ้านนอกคอกนาที่นี่ คงจะมีความหวังเลือนลาง
(ญ) ช่อแก้วคนนี้ไม่ให้พี่ตรอมระทมใจ
ไม่เคยลุ่มหลงแสงไฟ อย่างที่ใครเขาพูดให้ฟัง
(คู่) นกออกหากินยังโพลพินโบยบินกลับรัง
สองเรายังคอยความหวัง กลับยังท้องนาบ้านเรา
The song "Diplomatic Fool" by Gregory Isaacs tells the story of a young woman who leaves her simple life in the countryside to pursue fame and fortune in the city. The chorus is sung by a man who warns her of the dangers of this pursuit, while the verses are sung by a woman who reflects on her journey and reminisces about her past.
In the first verse, the woman describes her upbringing in the countryside, where she used to sell flowers and pick vegetables by the canal. However, she decides to leave the countryside and become a city girl, hoping to become a star. She changes her style to fit in with the times and worries about losing her innocence.
In the second verse, the woman reflects on the difficulty of her journey and how she misses the simplicity of the countryside. She remembers the smell of the earth and the rain, and wishes she could go back. However, she knows that she must keep going and find work to support herself.
The chorus is a warning to the woman, sung by a man who sees her potential downfall. He insists that she is too good for the world of showbiz and that she should stay true to her roots. The final verse is a conversation between the woman and the man, in which she acknowledges his warning but insists that she will keep striving for her dreams.
Overall, "Diplomatic Fool" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing fame and fortune at the expense of one's values and upbringing.
Line by Line Meaning
(ช) เจ้าช่อแก้วเอย เคยส่งกลิ่นหอมอยู่ชายทุ่ง
I used to be the village belle, sending sweet fragrance all around
เดี๋ยวนี้เจ้าเป็นสาวกรุง หมายมุ่งได้เป็นดารา
Now I am a city girl, aiming to become a superstar
เคยนุ่งผ้าถุงเก็บผักบุ้ง ริมคลองก่อนมา
I used to gather vegetable in cloth bags by the canal
เปลี่ยนไปนุ่งสั้นโชว์ขา ใส่เอวลอยตามยุคสมัย
Now I wear shorter clothes, showing off my body according to the fashion trend
(ญ) ใจสาวภูธรจะขาดรอนๆ เมื่อตอนจากกัน
The girl from Phuthorn feels sad and lonely after separating from her lover
จำเป็นต้องมาหางาน จากบ้านมาไกลแสนไกล
She has to find a job, far away from her hometown
ฝนในเมื่องกรุง คิดถึงท้องทุ่งถิ่นเคยเกิดกาย
When it rains in the city, she misses the countryside where she was born
กลิ่นดินจากท้องนาไร่ หอมชื่นใจยังจำได้ดี
The fragrance of the soil from the farm field still reminds her of home
(ช) ข่าวว่าคนดี มีคนมั่งมีอุ้มชูเมตตา
I heard that there are good men who are wealthy and influential
เดี๋ยวนี้เขียนคิ้วแต่งหน้า กลัวเสียท่าเขาแล้วคนดี
Now I draw my eyebrows and apply makeup, afraid to lose the chance with a good man
พี่กลัวความหอม จะถูกเด็ดดอมไปบ้านเศรษฐี
I am afraid of losing my natural fragrance to marry into a wealthy family
บ้านนอกคอกนาที่นี่ คงจะมีความหวังเลือนลาง
In this rural house and field, there might still be a hidden hope
(ญ) ช่อแก้วคนนี้ไม่ให้พี่ตรอมระทมใจ
This person with the jade necklace won't steal my heart away
ไม่เคยลุ่มหลงแสงไฟ อย่างที่ใครเขาพูดให้ฟัง
She never falls for the allure of city lights, as others say she would
(คู่) นกออกหากินยังโพลพินโบยบินกลับรัง
The birds still search for food and return to their nests
สองเรายังคอยความหวัง กลับยังท้องนาบ้านเรา
We still have hope, to return to our hometown fields
Contributed by Isabella B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@riennevaplus345
great- love this tune! i see his last concert.Its never get out of my mind! R.I.P.
@jahlovi4surebless
Gregory....... can never be replaced until that Day King rest in perfect peace nuff love and blessings xxxx
@zakjean4956
Rip legend
@pimlico24
we miss you, ruler...we never forget you! bless!
@carienvanos
miss you Gregory
@jogadornegro2441
Gregory isacs 2020👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿🎵❤️👽
@sisterfoxy
Feeling the vibes
@mistersandro8933
Eu amor de mais as músicas de gregor Isaacs
@MoussaCAMARA-oe5bu
Thanks you..
@SulivanCourt
RIP COOL RULER. ALWAYS LOVING YOU.