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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.
Let Off Sup'm
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Imagine, a idren come up to I and say me glad you come on ya
A long time me nuh eat, him say
Me nuh have nowhere fe sleep
I beg you let off supm, running's well sharp
Let off supm, even buy me a-half
Let off supm, give I man a-match
Let off supm, me dey pon me face
Let off supm, no careless smile no hesitate -- yeah
A wey we a-go do now
Tell me, when it a-go end
This ya time well crucial
And the pressure's getting brutal
So let off supm, me dey pon me face
Let off supm, cyant stand the pace
Let off supm, no careless smile, no hesitate
Idren say (let off supm)
I stop for a while on my favourite corner
Imagine, a idren came up to I and say me glad you come on ya
Long time me nuh eat, him say
Me nuh have nowhere fe sleep
I beg you, let off supm, running's well sharp
Let off supm, even buy me a-half
Let off supm, give I man a-match
The idren say, let off supm, me dey pon me face
Let off supm, cyant stand the pace
Let off supm, no careless smile, no hesitate
A wey we a-go do now
Tell me, when it a-go end
For this ya time well crucial - a
The pressure's getting brutal - a
So let off supm, cyant stand the pace
Let off supm, me dey pon me face
Let off supm, no careless smile no hesitate
No careless smile no hesitate
The idren say, let off supm, running's well sharp
Let off supm, even buy me a-half
Let off supm, give I man a-match
The idren say (Let off supm, let off supm)
That him dey pon him face (Let off supm)
Cyant stand the pace
Imagine (let off, let off, let off)
Cyant stand the pace (Let off, let off, let off)
Idren say (let off, let off, let off)
That him dey pon him face (let off, let off, let off)
Well done (let off, let off, let off)
Ya cyant stand the pace
(Let off, let off, let off)
Idren say, (Let off, let off, let off)
Cyant stand the pace (Let off, let off, let off,
Let off, let off, let off, let off, let off, let off, etc)
The lyrics for Gregory Isaacs's track, "Let Off Supm," find him idling on his much-loved street corner when a young man approaches him. The teenager has not eaten or had a place to sleep in a long time, and he begs Isaacs to "let off supm." He wants to maintain his pace, even if it means going hungry and homeless. The pressure is becoming unbearable, and he is nearing his breaking point. Isaacs's response to the young man's pleas is never revealed, but the weight of the boy's burden has clearly had an impact on him.
The track can be interpreted in various ways, but the lyrics may contain a message about the negative consequences of poverty, the decimation of Jamaican society, and the longing for a better life. Isaacs also could be highlighting the inequality that exists where some people have plenty while others have nothing. Some people's situation in life limits their ability to improve themselves or their situation. The song emphasizes that some people require more substantial support than mere words of encouragement. The idren in the song seeks Isaacs's tangible assistance, and his plea is a reflection of many young Jamaicans' daily struggles. The tune's title, "Let Off Supm," which means "give something freely," reinforces the message.
Line by Line Meaning
I stop for a while on my favourite corner
While relaxing on my favorite corner, I was approached by someone who was glad to see me there.
Imagine, a idren come up to I and say me glad you come on ya
This person was happy to see me there and approached me.
A long time me nuh eat, him say
The person I met told me that they haven't eaten in a long time.
Me nuh have nowhere fe sleep
They also mentioned that they had nowhere to sleep.
I beg you let off supm, running's well sharp
The person begged me for some help in the form of food, money or other assistance because of their dire circumstances.
Let off supm, even buy me a-half
They urged me to give them some kind of support, even if it was just a little bit.
Let off supm, give I man a-match
They requested that I offer them something helpful to enable them to cope with their tough situation.
The idren say, let off supm, cyant stand the pace
The person I spoke to explained that they were struggling to keep up with the demands of their life and needed assistance.
Let off supm, me dey pon me face
They were so overwhelmed that they felt like they were falling down.
Let off supm, no careless smile no hesitate -- yeah
They asked for immediate help, without any delay or hesitation.
A wey we a-go do now
They asked what we were going to do next about their situation.
Tell me, when it a-go end
They expressed the desire for their hardship to end and wanted to know when it might.
This ya time well crucial
They underscored the critical nature of their situation and need for assistance.
And the pressure's getting brutal
They further explained how difficult their circumstances were.
Let off supm, no careless smile, no hesitate
They repeated their plea for immediate and serious help, and warned against any delay or inaction.
The idren say, let off supm
The person once again asked me for assistance in their time of need.
That him dey pon him face (Let off supm)
They repeated their situation of feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope.
Cyant stand the pace
They reinforced that their difficulties were taking a significant toll on them.
Imagine
They asked me to picture or consider their plight.
Writer(s): C. Hines
Contributed by Jonathan V. 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