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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.
I Can
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
@donpetazaragomatuta9988
Do you see the calmness he put in his songs? The old Reggae artists are superior artist they are unbeatable
@shadreckmusowa2372
Waooo! What tears it brings to my whole life....I wish my wife Mirriam could listen and understand this for me..... loving her so very much.Good people forever.
@Syakinongwa
Thanks YouTube. I first listened to this when in Std 7 from a neighbour to my uncle, then, I think 1981. Only to learn Gregory's existence when my cousin played NightNurse on Tape in '83. I just could mumm the bassline tune to date until last week it just came by itself on the Tube. "Yes, I can't give you my love alone"...
@paulnicholls319
i never thought night nurse could be topped but this is off the radar
@jo-annlewis9820
💯💯💯
@valnelson2527
Reminds me of my mum and our Sunday afternoons playing great music and drinking a tipple or two. She is no longer here but this so reminds me of her. Great memories.
@ceciliasenghore7843
Mr. COOL of all time!
@germainesaint4091
Many blessings to you and your mother memories… I felt it as though I had written it myself. 👊🏾😇
@thecounselorace621
Bad man he was, I'm a black Ameticab and I can tell you all of us African natives fell the rhythm like no other race, this is our gift, I. A musician singer and love this guy, Half Pi t and Sugar Minott.
@peterprice2705
The vocal introduction of this 'Gregory' effectively melts the polar icecaps with ease...mmmmmmmmmmmmmm...