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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.
Joy
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All of a sudden she said how much she found her substitute
But I′m just letting you know that I'm still around.
I'll be your bridge, over trouble water.
So you won′t get drowned.
Substitute is gonna put u down.
I heard you′re smoking cigarettes by the pack
Since you told me to leave and don't come back.
You were the one who said we're through.
Now you′re drinking liquor, which you didn't do
But I′ll be around, so you won't get drowned.
Your substitute is gonna put you down.
Whoo...
Ha...
I heard you're smoking cigarettes by the pack
Since you told me to leave and don′t come back
It wasn′t my fault
You were the one who said we're through
Now you′re drinking liquor, which you didn't do
But I′ll be around, so you won't get drowned
Your substitute is gonna put you down
I′ll be around
You won't get drowned.
Whenever time you're in trouble just
Call my name and I′ll be on the double
And you won′t get drowned
Your substitute is gonna put you down
But I'll be around
You won′t get drowned
I'll be around.
The lyrics to Gregory Isaacs's song Joy tell a story of a man who has been told to leave by his woman Suzan. Suzan tells him that she has found a new love interest and that he needs to leave. The man, however, despite being hurt, tells Suzan that he will be around for her in case she needs him. He sees himself as a bridge over troubled waters, someone to help her not drown in the difficulties of life. The man notices that Suzan has picked up bad habits such as smoking and drinking after they separated, and he hopes that she will not let her new partner become a substitute for his love and care.
The lyrics of the song confront the reality of breakups and lost love. Despite the hurt and anger that come with breakups, the song urges us to always be there for our loved ones when they need us. The man in the song sees himself as a protector and a supporter, someone to help Suzan in her future struggles. At the same time, the song reminds Suzan that her new partner might not have her best interests at heart and that she should be careful not to let him replace the love and care she received from the man.
Line by Line Meaning
Suzan told me to leave saying she's a woman who's cute
Suzan asked me to go, claiming she is an attractive woman
All of a sudden she said how much she found her substitute
Suddenly she revealed that she has found someone she sees as my replacement
But I'm just letting you know that I'm still around.
Despite what she said, I am still present and available
I'll be your bridge, over trouble water.
I will be your support in difficult situations
So you won't get drowned.
I will ensure that you do not suffer or struggle
Substitute is gonna put u down.
The person she claims is my replacement will not treat you well
I heard you're smoking cigarettes by the pack
I heard that you have started smoking excessively
Since you told me to leave and don't come back.
After you told me to leave and never return
It wasn't my fault
I am not to blame for the situation
You were the one who said we're through.
It was you who decided to end our relationship
Now you're drinking liquor, which you didn't do
Now you have started consuming alcohol, which was not previously the case
But I'll be around, so you won't get drowned.
I will continue to support you so that you do not fall apart
Your substitute is gonna put you down.
The person you are choosing over me will harm you emotionally
Whoo...
Exclamation expressing emotion or excitement
Ha...
Exclamation of realization or amusement
Whenever time you're in trouble just, call my name and I'll be on the double
Whenever you encounter problems, do not hesitate to reach out to me for immediate assistance
And you won't get drowned
With me by your side, you will not succumb to difficulties
Your substitute is gonna put you down.
The person you are choosing over me will hurt you emotionally and bring you down
But I'll be around, you won't get drowned
No matter what happens, I will remain by your side and ensure your well-being
I'll be around.
I will not abandon you, and will always be present in your life
Writer(s): Sly Dunbar, Philip Burrell, Donald Dennis, Gregory Isaacs
Contributed by Audrey R. 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