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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.
Feeling Sad Tonight
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I must have tied one on pretty tight last night
I don't even know if I picked up the phone to call you
If I did babe I apologize
I can't believe I even made it out here
Praise the Lord baby, I'm glad I did
Most times I'm just kinda laid back looking for nothing
Never thought someone who looked like you come looking for me
I never thought I'd find somebody like you to give my whole life to
Hope I don't let my hopes get up too high
I don't know tomorrow you might change you're mind
But I'm feeling pretty good tonight
Tell you something baby, you're as pretty as a Sunday morning
But every Sunday morning's gotta have a little Saturday night
Maybe I could help you make it through 2000 Tuesdays
Maybe you just get wasted away sometime
I live my life one drink at a time, happily out of my mind
I never thought I'd find somebody like you to give my whole life to
Hope I don't let my hopes get up too high
But I don't know tomorrow you might change you're mind
But I'm feeling pretty good tonight
I live my life one drink at a time, happily out of my mind
I never thought I'd find somebody like you to give my whole life to
Babe I might have finally got things right
But I hope tomorrow you don't change you're mind
'Cause I'm feeling pretty good tonight, feeling pretty good tonight
In Gregory Isaacs's song "Feeling Sad Tonight," the singer wakes up hungover and feeling regretful about his actions the night before. He acknowledges the possibility that he may have called the person he's singing to, but doesn't remember. The singer goes on to explain that he lives his life one drink at a time and is usually laid back, not actively looking for someone like the person he's addressing. He hopes he doesn't get too attached, knowing that the person might change their mind tomorrow, but for now, he's feeling pretty good.
The song has a bittersweet tone, with the singer clearly wanting a deeper connection with the person he's addressing but also not wanting to get hurt or disappointed if things don't work out. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who may have struggled with alcohol in the past and is now trying to find a way to connect with someone without losing himself in the process. The song's melody and relaxed rhythm give it a comfortable feel, and the lyrics are relatable to anyone who has ever been unsure of what they want in a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke up this morning with the afternoon at my window
I woke up late in the day feeling groggy
I must have tied one on pretty tight last night
I must have had a lot to drink last night
I don't even know if I picked up the phone to call you
I don't remember if I called you last night
If I did babe I apologize
If I did call you and acted out of line, I'm sorry
I can't believe I even made it out here
I'm surprised I even made it out of bed today
Praise the Lord baby, I'm glad I did
I thank God that I was able to get up and come here today
Most times I'm just kinda laid back looking for nothing
Usually, I'm just living my life with no big plans or goals
Never thought someone who looked like you come looking for me
I never expected someone as attractive as you to be interested in me
I live my life one drink at a time, happily out of my mind
I live my life enjoying each drink and letting go of my worries
I never thought I'd find somebody like you to give my whole life to
I never believed I would meet someone who I could commit my entire life to
Hope I don't let my hopes get up too high
I hope I don't get too optimistic about our future together
I don't know tomorrow you might change you're mind
I'm aware that you might change your feelings about me tomorrow
But I'm feeling pretty good tonight
Despite my uncertainties, I'm feeling happy in the moment
Tell you something baby, you're as pretty as a Sunday morning
You're very beautiful, like a peaceful Sunday morning
But every Sunday morning's gotta have a little Saturday night
Even the best of times have some wildness and excitement
Maybe I could help you make it through 2000 Tuesdays
I could offer support to help you through the everyday trials of life
Maybe you just get wasted away sometime
Maybe you like to drink and let loose once in a while
Babe I might have finally got things right
I might have finally found someone who I'm compatible with
But I hope tomorrow you don't change you're mind
I hope your feelings toward me don't change tomorrow
'Cause I'm feeling pretty good tonight, feeling pretty good tonight
I'm feeling happy and content right now
Writer(s): Gregory Anthony Isaacs
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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