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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.
Hard Drugs
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
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Mmmmmm
De more dem get it
Ah de more dem want it
Lord knows
Some will even try to take his fathers life yes
Just to achieve a bit
Talking about hard drugs
It's gonna let a lot of dem search the floor
Talking about hard drugs
De more dem get it
Dem still want more
Now the pusher was away upon his ups and downs
And men are like junkies all over town
See the first man who settle down
Surely gonna put him down
Talking about hard drugs
It's gonna let a lot of dem search the floor
More and more
Talking about hard drugs
De more dem get it
Dem still want more
Still want more
Lord knows
De more dem get it
Ah de more dem want it
Talking about it
Some will even try to take his fathers life yes
Just to achieve a bit
Talking about hard drugs
It's gonna let a lot of dem search the floor
More and more
Talking about hard drugs
De more dem get it
Dem still want more
Now the pusher was away upon his ups and downs
And men are like junkies all over town
See the first man who settle down
Surely gonna put him down
Talking about hard drugs
It's gonna let a lot of dem search the floor
More and more
Talking about hard drugs
De more dem get it
Dem still want more
Still want more
Dem still want more
Dem still want more
They still want more
Talking about it
They still want more
In Hard Drugs by Gregory Isaacs, the lyrics speak about the insatiable appetite some individuals can have for narcotics. The opening lines of the song, "The more they get it, the more they want it," capture the essence of the song, which is how individuals who engage in hard drug use are constantly chasing the high, with diminishing returns. The song paints a picture of addiction and highlights how individuals should be careful with their drug use as it can lead them down a dangerous path.
The lyrics also acknowledge the impact of drug addiction on families. The line "Some will even try to take his father's life yes, just to achieve a bit" suggests that addiction can drive individuals to do unthinkable things, even harm their loved ones, to satisfy their cravings. Additionally, the song alludes to the pushers or drug dealers who profit from the cycle of addiction, and how they can be brought down by one person who decides to quit and settle down, as the chorus sings, "See the first man who settles down, surely gonna put him down."
Overall, Hard Drugs is a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction and serves as a reminder that drug use can cause a lot of harm not only to the individuals involved but also to their families and communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Dem still want more
People always want more, even if they already have what they desire.
De more dem get it
The more people have of something, the more they want.
Ah de more dem want it
No matter how much people have of something, they always want more.
Lord knows
A way of expressing uncertainty or acknowledging the unknown.
Some will even try to take his fathers life yes
Some people will do anything to get what they want, even if it means harming others.
Just to achieve a bit
People will go to extreme lengths just to obtain a small amount of what they desire.
Talking about hard drugs
The topic of the song is the use and addiction to hard drugs.
It's gonna let a lot of dem search the floor
The use of hard drugs can cause users to become disoriented and lose control of their bodies.
De more dem get it
Drug users become more addicted the more they use.
Still want more
Drug addiction leads people to always want more of the drug they are addicted to.
Now the pusher was away upon his ups and downs
Drug dealers face various challenges both in their personal lives and their dealings with customers.
And men are like junkies all over town
Drug addiction is a widespread problem affecting people of all genders and from all areas.
See the first man who settle down
Drug dealers often target newcomers to addiction, who are not yet used to the effects of the drug.
Surely gonna put him down
Drug addiction has destructive consequences on the lives of those affected by it.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GREGORY ANTHONY ISAACS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fazalwilliams9570
Who here still listening to this golden song in 2024?
@walkietalkie8334
I'm here I still want more
@fazalwilliams9570
@@walkietalkie8334 check house of the rising sun by Gregory Isaacs or Hard Drugs
@germantilit815
@@walkietalkie8334I
VgL
@Kalvinkibugi
9 years down the line still listening to this wonderful song. Who is with me here, drop a like
@jimmyokwach2414
thumbs up if you still love gregory Isaacs....
king of reggea tunes,,
2019 novembver,,wakenya likes zenu apo down!!!
@noraancellin6138
Am here again 2022 🔥💃💃💃👌
@moanaronoro9323
Yes,hear I am with 👍👍👍
@pamodou100
January 2023 still listening 🇬🇲🇬🇲🇬🇲🇬🇲
@oalebamulaudzi9192
2024 and am still jamming to this hit ❤❤