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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.
Raggamuffin
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Days of wine and roses are no longer around
Strictly raggamuffin, just a rule up di town
He run things here, and he run things over there
[Chorus:]
A you rule raggamuffin, come on and rule raggamuffin
Yes you rule raggamuffin(big all around)
[Verse 2:]
When raggamuffin in di area
Read about it in di paper
Raggamuffin make you bad so
Bubbling bubbling on di radio
[Chorus:]
A you rule raggamuffin, come on and rule raggamuffin
Yes you rule raggamuffin(big all around)yeah
[Verse 3:]
He run things here, and he run things over there
When in a di area, no dibby dibby caan 'tand ya oy
Raggamuffin a di cooler, mi rule up di area, yeah! oy
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin(big big all round)
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin ragga...
[Verse 1: repeat]
Days of wine and roses are no longer around
Strictly raggamuffin, just a rule up di town
He run things here, and he run things over there
[Chorus:]
A him rule raggamuffin, come on and rule raggamuffin
Yes you rule raggamuffin(you big all around)
Big all around, gregory
[Verse 5:]
Well well well rough, raggamuffin say you well well tough
Raggamuffin a di ruler, raggamuffin a di cooler
Raggamuffin in di area, no dibby dibby caan 'tand ya
[Chorus:]
A you rule raggamuffin, come on and rule raggamuffin
Yes you rule raggamuffin(big all around)
Big in a di town yeah
[Verse 6:]
When raggamuffin in di area
Read about it in di paper
Raggamuffin a jam up so
Bubbling bubbling on di radio
[Chorus:]
A you rule raggamuffin, come on and rule raggamuffin
Yes you rule raggamuffin(big all around)
[Outro:]
We wanted in jamaica, we wanted in new york
We wanted in a london
Raggamuffin judge skylark
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin...
The song "Raggamuffin" by Gregory Isaacs is a tribute to the "rule raggamuffin" - the King of the Dancehall. The days of wine and roses are long gone and Raggamuffin is in charge now. The second verse mentions his presence in the area being reported in the papers and how he rules the airwaves with his signature style, bubbling on the radio. The chorus repeats the command for Raggamuffin to rule, emphasizing the power he holds in the dancehall world. In the third verse, Raggamuffin's dominance is further established as he runs things both here and there, and it is stated that no one can stand against him. The song ends with a shoutout to Raggamuffin as he is wanted not only in Jamaica, but also in New York and London.
Line by Line Meaning
Days of wine and roses are no longer around
Times have changed from being easy and carefree
Strictly raggamuffin, just a rule up di town
The new way of life is tough and revolves around adhering to the raggamuffin rule in town
He run things here, and he run things over there
A powerful raggamuffin leader who controls everything in town and beyond
A you rule raggamuffin, come on and rule raggamuffin
Encouraging the raggamuffin leader to keep ruling and being in control
When raggamuffin in di area
Read about it in di paper
Raggamuffin make you bad so
Bubbling bubbling on di radio
The raggamuffin's presence creates a commotion, and their influence is seen and heard everywhere
When in a di area, no dibby dibby caan 'tand ya oy
Raggamuffin a di cooler, mi rule up di area, yeah! oy
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin(big big all round)
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin ragga...
The raggamuffin is unbeatable and can't be messed with, they are the coolest and rule the area with their power, and they are greatly respected by everyone.
A him rule raggamuffin, come on and rule raggamuffin
Yes you rule raggamuffin(you big all around)
Big all around, gregory
Acknowledging that the raggamuffin leader is in charge, powerful, and deserves to rule and be praised
Well well well rough, raggamuffin say you well well tough
Raggamuffin a di ruler, raggamuffin a di cooler
Raggamuffin in di area, no dibby dibby caan 'tand ya
The raggamuffin is tough, strong, and cool, which is why they are a ruler and greatly respected, and no one can mess with them.
When raggamuffin in di area
Read about it in di paper
Raggamuffin a jam up so
Bubbling bubbling on di radio
The raggamuffin's presence creates a commotion, and their influence is seen and heard everywhere
We wanted in jamaica, we wanted in new york
We wanted in a london
Raggamuffin judge skylark
Raggamuffin muffin muffin muffin muffin...
The raggamuffin culture and influence is desired and appreciated in many different places
Contributed by Jasmine A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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