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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.
If I Don't Have You
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I've been a rover here and everywhere
In Princeton, you bet, about me they never yet say good
But one thing I like about you
You always do as you should and that's why
If I don't, if I don't have you
Then for me, there'll be nobody else, no, oh no
And even if the river should run dry
For me, there'll be nobody else, no, oh, no
I may stay away for a night or two
But all form of respect unto you is still due
Though staying away make you feel mad, it make you feel blue
But it's not that I really mean to embarrass you, 'cause darling
If I don't, if I don't have you
Then for me there'll be nobody else no, oh no, no
And even if the trees should touch the sky
For me, there'll be nobody else, believe me
I may stay away for a night or two
But all form of respect unto you is still due
Though staying away make you feel sad, it make you feel blue
But it's not that I really mean to embarrass you, 'cause darling
If I don't, if I don't have you
Then for me there'll be nobody else, no, oh no, no
And even if the river should run dry
For me there'll be nobody else, oh no
If I don't, if I don't, if I don't have you
For me there'll be nobody else, believe me
If I don't, if I don't, if I don't have you
Nobody else will do
The lyrics of Gregory Isaacs's song "If I Don't Have You" are about the singer expressing his love and loyalty to his partner. He acknowledges that he has been a wanderer, but he admires the fact that his partner has remained faithful and righteous. The singer declares that even if the worst were to happen, like the river running dry or the trees touching the sky, he would remain loyal to his partner. He understands that their relationship may cause his partner some pain, and that staying away for a night or two may make her feel sad or blue, but he wants her to know that it is not his intention to hurt her.
The lyrics of the song also reveal how the singer prioritises his relationship above all else. The chorus emphasises this idea, as he professes that there will be nobody else for him, but his partner. He is willing to sacrifice everything else in the world to keep his relationship intact. The song highlights the power of love and loyalty, and how important it is to have them in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
You may think that I don't care
You might perceive that I have no regard for you
'Cause I've been a rover here and everywhere
I've been wandering around aimlessly
In Princeton, you bet, about me they never yet say good
I haven't been shown any favor in Princeton
But one thing I like about you
However, there's something I cherish about you
You always do as you should and that's why
You're always responsible, and that's why
If I don't, if I don't have you
If I don't have you with me
Then for me, there'll be nobody else, no, oh no
Then I won't find anyone else suitable for me
And even if the river should run dry
Even if the impossible happens
For me, there'll be nobody else, no, oh, no
I still won't find anyone else fitting
I may stay away for a night or two
Sometimes I might leave for a short while
But all form of respect unto you is still due
But I will always regard and appreciate you
Though staying away make you feel mad, it make you feel blue
Although my absence might upset you
But it's not that I really mean to embarrass you, 'cause darling
I don't intend to shame you, my love
And even if the trees should touch the sky
Even if the impossible happens
For me, there'll be nobody else, believe me
I won't find anyone else ideal for me, trust me
If I don't, if I don't, if I don't have you
If I don't have you with me
Nobody else will do
I won't settle for anyone else
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GREGORY ISAACS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Evelyne De Batavia
Wonderful
@7xrhstos7
You may think that I don't care
'Cause I've been a rover here and everywhere
In Princeton, you bet, about me they never yet say good
But one thing I like about you
You always do as you should and that's why
If I don't, if I don't have you
Then for me, there'll be nobody else, no, oh no
And even if the river should run dry
For me, there'll be nobody else, no, oh, no
I may stay away for a night or two
But all form of respect unto you is still due
Though staying away make you feel mad, it make you feel blue
But it's not that I really mean to embarrass you, 'cause darling
If I don't, if I don't have you
Then for me there'll be nobody else no, oh no, no
And even if the trees should touch the sky
For me, there'll be nobody else, believe me
I may stay away for a night or two
But all form of respect unto you is still due
Though staying away make you feel sad, it make you feel blue
But it's not that I really mean to embarrass you, 'cause darling
If I don't, if I don't have you
Then for me there'll be nobody else, no, oh no, no
And even if the river should run dry
For me there'll be nobody else, oh no
If I don't, if I don't, if I don't have you
For me there'll be nobody else, believe me
If I don't, if I don't, if I don't have you
Nobody else will do
@HenryPerez_royal_hp
I wonder how many of our new generation brethren found this legend because of Mos Def 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏
@mosesmuoki765
Thats where I got to learn of it. Miss fat Booty
@aaronflowers8881
Me lol
@wilkesysublime
You read my mind, I'm literally here from the mighty Mos Def
@strawhatkev
Found this gem myself. I love reggae so much, bro
@coachmullen1
Yep. Props to Mos Def
@gorgeous1482
Mos Def brought me here and I've never been happier.
@SugasoWett
Me too!!! Ms. Fat Booty...
@Erastomengo
+Cyane Green same here