Gregory Anthony Isaacs ⋆ 15 July 1951 in Kingston, Jamaica ⋆ 25 Oct 2010 in… Read Full Bio ↴Gregory Anthony Isaacs ⋆ 15 July 1951 in Kingston, Jamaica ⋆ 25 Oct 2010 in London UK ⋆ was a Jamaican singer and songwriter. He recorded an enormous amount of songs in the genres (regular) reggae, lovers rock, roots reggae. His nickname was the Cool Ruler. By the late 1970s, Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae performers, regularly touring the US and the UK. Well-known songs are Night Nurse, Mr Cop, My Only Lover, Tune In, and Love Is Overdue. He became an international star 1978 after signed to Virgin Record's Front Line, and appeared in the movie Rockers with the song Slave Master. The two Front Line albums Cool Ruler and Soon Forward did, however, not sell as good as expected from someone regarded to be the third or fourth reggae artist in the world after Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and maybe Jacob Miller (singer in the band Inner Circle). Drug problems with cocaine and crack cocaine in the early 80s decelerated Isaacs carrier substantially, but not completely. He released 73 studio albums with original material, and over 500 compilation or remix albums. He worked together with almost all big Jamaican music producers of the 70s, 80s and 90s.

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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.

Never Be Ungrateful
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I want you to promise me

Promise me that you'll be faithful
Promise me you'll never be ungrateful
Say the words that you will never be untrue
And I'll sing a lullabye to you.
Promise me that you will treat me kind
Say the words that you'll always be mine

Promise me that you will never be untrue, no
And I'll sing a lullabye to you
Sing a lullabye of loving
Sing a lullabye when you are blue

Sing a lullabye of happiness
Yes, I'll sing a lullabye to you.

Overall Meaning

In Gregory Isaacs's song "Never Be Ungrateful," the singer expresses his desire for his partner to promise him certain things that will ensure a healthy and loving relationship. He asks for faithfulness, kindness, and gratitude, promising to reciprocate with a lullaby. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been hurt in the past, and is seeking reassurance that his partner will not betray him or take him for granted.

The idea of a lullaby is often associated with comforting and soothing a child, but in this context, it can also be interpreted as a way of nurturing and caring for a partner. By promising to sing a lullaby, the singer is offering emotional support and a safe space for his partner to seek refuge in. The emphasis on promises and trust in the lyrics speaks to the importance of communication and honesty in a relationship, and the need for both partners to work together to build and maintain trust.

Overall, "Never Be Ungrateful" is a heartfelt plea for love and loyalty, with the promise of comfort and care in return. It highlights the importance of open communication, trust, and gratitude in any relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

I want you to promise me
I need a commitment from you

Promise me that you'll be faithful
Assure me that you won't cheat

Promise me you'll never be ungrateful
Promise me that you'll always appreciate what we have

Say the words that you will never be untrue
Declare that you won't lie to me

And I'll sing a lullabye to you.
I'll serenade you if you promise these things to me.

Promise me that you will treat me kind
Pledge to always treat me with care

Say the words that you'll always be mine
Vow to never leave me

Promise me that you will never be untrue, no
Assure me that you'll always be honest

And I'll sing a lullabye to you
I'll sing to you as a reward for keeping your promises.

Sing a lullabye of loving
Let me soothe you with a song about love

Sing a lullabye when you are blue
I'll sing to cheer you up when you're feeling sad