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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.
Don't let go
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so happy I got you here,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
Don't let go, Don't let go.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
The song "Don't Let Go" by Gregory Isaacs is a passionate plea to a lover to hold on tight and not let go. The song is full of urgency and desperation as the singer tries to convey his deep love and desire for his partner. The song starts with the whistle at ten o'clock, which is symbolic of the beginning of the night when the party starts. It is time to let go and enjoy the moment.
The lyrics are a mix of different elements like thunder, lightning, wind, and rain, which create a storm-like feeling, as the love between the singer and his partner is storming inside his brain. The verse "I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin'" conveys his longing and desire for his partner's lips. He is ready to bark like a hound dog if it wasn't for having his partner with him.
In the final verse, the singer expresses his fear of losing his partner to another man. He states that he would be crying and soaking wet if she leaves him. The song ends with a plea to hold on tight and not let go. The overall message of the song is to savor the moment and not let go of the love that one has for their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
It's time to start the night and have some fun.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Stay close to me and don't leave my side.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Let's dance and enjoy the energy of the night.
I'm so happy I got you here,
I'm grateful to have you by my side tonight.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
Being with you makes me incredibly happy.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
This emotion is so intense that it's almost overwhelming.
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I wouldn't let go of this moment even if I were offered a lot of money.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
I have strong feelings for you and I want you to hold me close.
Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
The weather outside is wild and tumultuous.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
I am feeling intense emotions of love and desire.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
I can barely contain my excitement and anticipation.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
I am craving physical and emotional intimacy with you.
Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Even the dogs are feeling the energy in the air.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Love can take a toll on even the toughest of creatures.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Without you, I'd be lost and alone.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
I would be expressing my loneliness and pain just like the dog.
One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
I worry that someday you will leave me.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
The thought of losing you brings me great sadness and tears.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
I cannot bear the idea of you being with someone else.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
The thought of you being intimate with someone else is too much for me to bear.
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!
Please keep holding me close and never leave my side.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JESSE ALBERT STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kennethopokukwarteng8473
I first heard this music when I was just 6 years old.My Dad and uncles used play it a lot cos it was touching.What a song!!! RIP Gregory'"The Cool Ruler"Isaacs
@claudiaregina8152
muito bom ouvir esses roots...
@trishosheaChelseaqueen53
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tune💙Gregory at his Finest💙Absolutely luv this💙
@samuelsk3098
I Played This At My Son's Funeral He Was 3 Days Old Share It Up Keep The Fire Burning This Track Needs More Views Cool Ruler RIP Isaac Lance RIP
@andyroberts7559
❤
@kiturselassie813
Reggea like back in the days of old am talkin about late 70s