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.
- - -
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.
No Footstool
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Alright,
I'm just playing it cool
Watching men trying to use I as their tool
But I don't wanna be another man footstool
So a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon
Jah know
An' me no want them come wheel and turn me in dis ya land
Alright
In everything that I try, I don' know why
Big fish want, dey got me high
So I'll just stay a shallow
Be careful what I swallow
Cos a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon
Jah know
Me no want dem come wheel and turn me in dis ya land,
alright, oh yeah
In everything that I try, I don' know why
Big fish want, dey got me high
So I'll just stay a shallow
Be careful what I swallow
Cos a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon, oh yeah
A whole lotta dem, whole lotta dem, alright
A whole lotta dem, whole lotta dem, oh yeah, alright
I'm careful in my doing
Even though I do
Because I know that a whole lotta dem
I'm just playing it cool
Watching men trying to use I as their tool
But I don't wanna be another man footstool
So a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon
Jah know
An' me no want them come wheel and turn me in dis ya land
Alright
In everything that I try, I don' know why
Big fish want, dey got me high
So I'll just stay a shallow
Be careful what I swallow
Cos a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon
Jah know
Me no want dem come wheel and turn me in dis ya land,
alright, oh yeah
In everything that I try, I don' know why
Big fish want, dey got me high
So I'll just stay a shallow
Be careful what I swallow
Cos a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon, oh yeah
A whole lotta dem, whole lotta dem, alright
A whole lotta dem, whole lotta dem, oh yeah, alright
I'm careful in my doing
Even though I do
Because I know that a whole lotta dem
are pursuing
And they wanna see me fall from grace
But I'll keep on moving
Steady on my feet
And I won't let them use me as their footstool
No, I won't be another man's footstool
Because a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon
The lyrics of "No Footstool" by Gregory Isaacs address the issue of individuals being used as tools and footstools by others. The song portrays a sense of being cautious and vigilant in one's dealings to avoid being taken advantage of. The singer is aware of the intentions of those around him, and he understands that they are trying to use him for their selfish gains. However, he is determined not to be subdued by their constant pursuits and trials.
The song's message speaks to the wider issue of societal and political oppression, where individuals may be exploited and forced into subservience for the benefit of others. Additionally, it highlights the importance of self-worth, dignity, and self-preservation in such situations. The song, therefore, serves as a call to action for listeners to remain aware of their surroundings and protect themselves from exploitation.
Contributed by Jonathan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@dennismarigi1412
Alright,
I'm just playing it cool
Watching men trying to use I as their tool
But I don't wanna be another man footstool
So a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon
Jah know
An' me no want them come wheel and turn me in dis ya land
Alright
In everything that I try, I don' know why
Big fish want, dey got me high
So I'll just stay a shallow
Be careful what I swallow
Cos a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon
Jah know
Me no want dem come wheel and turn me in dis ya land,
Alright, oh yeah
In everything that I try, I don' know why
Big fish want, dey got me high
So I'll just stay a shallow
Be careful what I swallow
Cos a whole lotta dem no like me in Babylon, oh yeah
A whole lotta dem, whole lotta dem, alright
A whole lotta dem, whole lotta dem, oh yeah, alright
I'm careful in my doing
Even though I do
Because I know that a whole lotta dem
@kharkanas6779
Listening by the heart! Eyes closed.
@normanosborne7367
💽💿📀💿💽💽💿📀📀💿💽💽💿📀📀💿💽💽💿📀📀💿💽💽💿
ROCKERS TUNES LIKE THESE CLASSIC AIN'T AROUND ANYMORE, ONLY FOR YOUR LISTENING EARS..... THE COOL RULER CUT A VINTAGE HEAVYWEIGHT TRACK..... R I P GREGORY ISAACS 🌍🌎🌍🌎🌍🌎🌍
@tawandajengwa1101
i remember attending to one of Mr Cool's Show in Harare. His mellow voice just makes me wanna cry
@trishosheaChelseaqueen53
💙Gregory never fails 2 deliver💙Cool Ruler💙
@megistus395
💣💣💣💥💥🚦🚦🚦💉💉💉 top-shelf vintage tune.
@ajala8639
"In everything thing that I try, I don't know why, big fish wan dig out mi eye
so I just stay a shallow be careful what I swallow
cuz a whole lotta dem nah like me in Babylon....."
This is The Cool Ruler at his militant, lyrical best.
@SurfLeleco
Sonzeira
@dmergz3334
So Deep
@SuperNdini
Super super Song...Thanks GI for such great hits we will always remember you
@SurfLeleco
Love it
Assisti 3 shows dele em Salvador e Lauro de Freitas
Alucinante
In memory
Respect
Jah bless