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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.
Promise
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't break your promise, no, girl
That you once made to me
'Cause promise is a comfort to a fool
She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do
Now don't believe in what they say
They're just trying to take you away
Don't ever give them your heart, no
Never let no one play my part
Never let no one play my part
She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do
She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do oh, yeah
Baby, don't break your promise, yeah
That you once made to me
Please, don't ever use me as a tool, no
'Cause promise is a comfort to a fool
She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do
So don't believe in what they say, yeah
They're just trying to take you away
Don't ever give them your heart
Never let no one play my part
She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do
Never let no one play my part
Remember your promise from the start
She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do
The lyrics of Gregory Issacs's song "Promise" are about someone who is voicing their concerns about a promise that their lover made to them. The song begins with the words "She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do, yeah" which serve as an interjection and an expression of frustration. The singer then proceeds to warn their partner not to break the promise that they once made, as it would be a betrayal of their trust. They caution their lover not to use them as a tool and to remember that a promise is a comfort to a fool.
The second verse of the song continues in a similar vein, with the singer warning their partner not to believe what others are saying as they might be trying to take them away. They urge their partner to never give their heart to anyone else and to never let anyone take their place. The song ends with a repetition of the interjection from the beginning, "She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do," accompanied by a repetition of the plea to remember the promise that was made.
Overall, the song is a cautionary tale about the importance of keeping promises, especially in the context of a romantic relationship. It conveys a message of trust, loyalty, and commitment, urging the listener to honor their word and be true to their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
She dobbie, dobbie, dobbie, do, yeah
Repetitive sounds that do not carry any significant meaning
Don't break your promise, no, girl
I implore you, my dear, not to go against the agreement you made with me
That you once made to me
The commitment you gave to me in the past
Don't ever use me as you tool
Please, never manipulate or take advantage of me
'Cause promise is a comfort to a fool
A person who believes in promises can easily be deceived, so be true to your word
Now don't believe in what they say
Ignore what people around you say
They're just trying to take you away
Their goal is to separate and cause a rift between you and me
Never let no one play my part
Do not allow anyone to replace me or have the role I play in your life
Baby, don't break your promise, yeah
Darling, I beg of you, do not break the promise you made to me
Please, don't ever use me as a tool, no
I plead with you, never use or abuse me for your selfish gains
So don't believe in what they say, yeah
Do not be swayed by what people say around you
Never let no one play my part
I reiterate, never allow anyone to take my place in your life
Remember your promise from the start
Recall the pledge you made to me from the beginning
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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