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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.
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Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
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Now I'm a branded hot stepper
If I am guilty, Lord God
Then I will pay
Now I'm a victim
By the words men say
And now I'm wanted
So I, so I
Said I'm a wanted
But Jah won't let the wicked capture I, no way
If I get crucial
Along the way
Cause men has been brutal
By the games they play
And cause me to be wanted
There's a price on my head
So I, so I
Said I'm a wanted
But Jah won't let the wicked capture I, no way
I know things will be better
Though I'm a branded hot stepper
If I get wearied
Why step in the way?
I will get over
Cause it's a game men play
But now I'm wanted
For the things that I know not about, oh no
Said I'm a wanted
But Jah won't let the wicked get me on, no way
Wanted for doing good among my people
Night and day
Wanted for living clean among my brethren
The games the people play
Wanted for doing good
Things will be better
Though they brand me as a stepper
The lyrics of Gregory Isaacs's "Hot Stepper" reveal a story of a man who is trying to make sense of his life as he navigates through the harsh realities of society. He starts by expressing his disappointment about a situation that he hoped would be better but has turned out to be terrible. He then acknowledges that he is now a branded hot stepper, a term typically used for someone who is on the run or has a price on their head. He seems to have been falsely accused of something, and his reputation has been destroyed, making him a wanted man. However, he reassures himself that if he's innocent, he will be fine and that he trusts Jah, the Rastafarian term for God, and nothing can happen to him. He also suggests that wicked people are after him, but they would never capture him.
The second verse depicts how men can be brutal, and Gregory talks about how he will get over it. He acknowledges that he is wanted, but he is still putting his faith in Jah, and he's sure that he will be safe. The third verse clearly illustrates that he is a victim of circumstances he knows nothing about, but he knows that things will be better. He continues to highlight that he's been accused of doing good for his people, and it seems to be the reason for the accusations.
Line by Line Meaning
I thought it would be better
I was hopeful that things would turn out fine
Now I'm a branded hot stepper
I am now labeled as a criminal
If I am guilty, Lord God
If I am actually guilty of any wrongdoing
Then I will pay
I am willing to face the consequences
Now I'm a victim
But now I am being targeted
By the words men say
Based on false accusations
And now I'm wanted
I am now a fugitive
There's a price on my head
People are willing to pay to capture me
Said I'm a wanted
Reiterating that I am a fugitive
But Jah won't let the wicked capture I, no way
I have faith that God will protect me from my enemies
If I get crucial
If I become desperate or aggressive
Along the way
While trying to avoid being captured
Cause men has been brutal
Because people can be cruel
By the games they play
With their false accusations and lies
And cause me to be wanted
Resulting in me becoming a fugitive
I know things will be better
Despite the current situation, I have hope for the future
If I get wearied
If I become tired or discouraged
Why step in the way?
Why let obstacles stop me?
I will get over
I will overcome the challenges
Cause it's a game men play
Because people lie and deceive to gain power
But now I'm wanted
I am still a fugitive
For the things that I know not about, oh no
For false allegations or rumors
Wanted for doing good among my people
My goodness is being misunderstood as criminal activity
Night and day
All the time
Wanted for living clean among my brethren
My purity is being perceived as suspicious behavior
The games the people play
The lies and deceit that people use to gain power
Things will be better
I am optimistic about the future
Though they brand me as a stepper
Despite being falsely labeled a criminal
Writer(s): Gregory A Isaacs
Contributed by Brayden D. 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