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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.
Poor Millionaire
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
But still I take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear
Aint got not shoe upon my feet but im still im dancing
There aint much food to eat but music playing
Maybe we won't find things easier
But I will try to take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear no way
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
The song "Poor Millionaire" by Gregory Isaacs is a classic reggae track that depicts the story of a man who, despite having no money, considers himself a millionaire because he is with his woman. The song starts by alluding to the fact that the singer has no money in his pocket, yet he feels like a millionaire. He attributes this feeling to his woman's presence, which makes him feel contented and wealthy.
The chorus reinforces this message, stating that he feels fantastic just because his woman is near him, even though his material possessions and circumstances are not favorable. In the second verse, he acknowledges that life may not be easy for him, but he is determined to take good care of himself despite facing difficulties.
The song's closing lines use a common Jamaican expression, "jah never ever give a man more than he can bear," to suggest that although life may be hard, the singer is up to the challenge. The overall message of the song is that true riches lie in love and companionship, rather than material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
Aint got a penny in my pocket
I do not have any money or wealth
But I feel like a millionaire
Despite being broke, I am extremely happy and satisfied
I'll feel soo fine
I am feeling great and full of joy
Now that my woman is near
Being with my partner makes every difficult situation seem easier
Now that my woman is near
I am joyous and grateful to be with my significant other
Maybe won't find it easier
Life may still present challenges
But still I take good care
I strive to take care of myself and overcome obstacles
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear
I trust in God to not give me more than I can handle
Aint got not shoe upon my feet but im still im dancing
Despite not having material possessions, I still find ways to enjoy life
There aint much food to eat but music playing
I may not have a lot to eat, but music can still bring me pleasure
Maybe we won't find things easier
Life can still be difficult and challenging
But I will try to take good care
I will do my best to look after myself and make the most of life
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear no way
I have faith in God to not give me more than I can handle
Aint got a penny in my pocket
I do not have any money or wealth
But I feel like a millionaire
Despite being broke, I am extremely happy and satisfied
I'll feel soo fine
I am feeling great and full of joy
Now that my woman is near
Being with my partner makes every difficult situation seem easier
Now that my woman is near
I am joyous and grateful to be with my significant other
Contributed by Gavin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@georgebestnjuguna4762
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
Maybe won't find it easier
But still I take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear
Aint got not shoe upon my feet but im still im dancing
There aint much food to eat but music playing
Maybe we won't find things easier
But I will try to take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear no way
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
@niclasjonsson4614
Woooahh
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
Maybe won't find it easier
But still I take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear
Aint got not shoe upon my feet but im still im dancing
There aint much food to eat but music playing
Maybe we won't find things easier
But I will try to take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear no way
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
@lward528
I remember my dad playing this when I was a kid. Come to think about it, I had an awesome childhood!
@negusdawoo
Wisdom
@regsis
Me too . My dad was super into reggae and reggae revives . I’m still the same as an adult . I love reggae to the max. R.I.P to my Pops xx❤🎉
@lward528
@@regsis R.I.P. to your Pops, & shout out to him for introducing you to some great music! ✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿
@georgebestnjuguna4762
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
Maybe won't find it easier
But still I take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear
Aint got not shoe upon my feet but im still im dancing
There aint much food to eat but music playing
Maybe we won't find things easier
But I will try to take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear no way
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
@niclasjonsson4614
Woooahh
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
Maybe won't find it easier
But still I take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear
Aint got not shoe upon my feet but im still im dancing
There aint much food to eat but music playing
Maybe we won't find things easier
But I will try to take good care
Cause jah never ever give a man more than he can bear no way
Aint got a penny in my pocket
But I feel like a millionaire
I'll feel soo fine
Now that my woman is near
Now that my woman is near
@DaBerrix
💚
@rickyavila673
Yeeeeee, up with the Cool Rule
@user-me6lc6ut8l
MY LORD MY GOD
UNMATCHABLE HOLINESS THE WORLD UNDER THE SUN 😢❤😮❤❤I was 11years old and never ever stop singing this memories of a LIFE----TIME'S WORTHY
OF-----Mr.GERGORY ISSAC
UNMATCHABLE---PERFECTION---&---IAM 51 JUNIORFURLONGE8 OF
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
@dawiskid187
This guy never make a bad song..legendary selection here..