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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.
My Time
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My resistance is getting weaker
I just can't stand the pressure
I can't get be any weaker
I've got to find me some other treasure
I need nothing to be a man, because I was born a man
My mind in such a state
Sometimes it makes me sick, Lord
At times I've tried to hate
But I just don't know the trick
I need...
Experience taught us wisdom
Thank God I've got some life left
I'm getting out a serpent [?]
My soul stands a test
I need...
The song "My Time" by Gregory Isaacs is a classic reggae track that showcases the struggles of a man trying to find himself and his place in the world. The lyrics start with the singer admitting that his resistance is getting weaker, indicating that he is going through a tough time in his life. He cannot bear the pressure any longer and feels that he needs to break free from his current situation and find something better. He talks about how he needs nothing to prove he is a man, but the world treats him differently based on his background, economic status, and race. The singer declares that he wants to be like any other man and deserves the same rights as everyone else. His mind is in a tough place, and at times he feels sick, and he has tried to hate, but it hasn't worked. He looks towards experience to teach him wisdom and believes that he still has time to get his life back on track. The last stanza of the song shows the singer's resilience and strength in the face of adversity. He knows that his soul will be tested, but he is willing to fight and persevere.
Line by Line Meaning
My resistance is getting weaker
I am becoming less able to fight against my struggles and hardships.
I just can't stand the pressure
I am unable to bear the stress and anxiety I am experiencing.
I can't get be any weaker
I cannot become any more helpless or vulnerable than I already am.
I've got to find me some other treasure
I must search for something else that brings me happiness, fulfillment, and meaning.
I need nothing to be a man, because I was born a man
My gender and masculinity are inherent and do not depend on external factors or possessions.
And I deserve the right to be like any other man, yeah.
I am entitled to the same respect, opportunity, and acceptance as any other man.
My mind in such a state
My mental condition is unstable and distressed.
Sometimes it makes me sick, Lord
My thoughts and emotions are overwhelming and nauseating.
At times I've tried to hate
Occasionally, I have attempted to hate someone or something.
But I just don't know the trick
However, I have not discovered the secret to hating someone or something effectively.
Experience taught us wisdom
The lessons we learn from life's challenges and opportunities make us wiser and more knowledgeable.
Thank God I've got some life left
I am grateful for the time and opportunities I still have in my life.
I'm getting out a serpent [?]
I am freeing myself from something or someone toxic and venomous.
My soul stands a test
My spirit is being challenged and tested by my circumstances.
I need...
I require something that can help me cope, heal, or progress.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEORGE BROWN, APHRODITE VASSEROU, DEBORAH THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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