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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.
Rock On
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby you set my soul on fire, yeah
So come on and give me what my heart desire
Don't ever let this feeling grow cold
'Cause you're like the story that's never been told
La da da da, da da, da da da, yeah
La da da da, da da, da deh
La da da da, da da, da deh
Rock on baby...
Now, sometimes I sit down and I wonder
What made you really go away
Then I would turn and say to myself
I wonder if you're really goin' to say
Baby don't leave me for another
Don't ever leave me again
Don't ever leave me for another, yeah
'Cause you are the sunshine of my life
I've said to rock on, baby
Rock on , yeah, yeah...
In "Rock On" by Gregory Isaacs, the singer expresses his deep love for someone who has ignited a fire within him. He asks this person to give him what he desires, and begs that they never let the passion between them fade away. He compares their love to an untold story, one that he wants to keep experiencing for as long as possible.
Isaacs portrays a vulnerable side to himself as he mentions how he wonders why this person left him. He doesn't want to lose them to someone else and pleads for them to stay with him always as they are the sunshine in his life. The use of "Rock On" could be perceived as a metaphor for continuing on with their love journey and not letting obstacles get in their way. Overall, the song talks about the ups and downs of love and how the singer is determined to hold on to what he has with this person.
Line by Line Meaning
Rock on baby....
Keep going, baby...
Baby you set my soul on fire, yeah
You ignite a passion deep within me.
So come on and give me what my heart desire
Please fulfill the longings of my heart.
Don't ever let this feeling grow cold
Never let this love we share fade away.
'Cause you're like the story that's never been told
The depth of my feelings for you are unlike any tale that has ever been told.
La da da da, da da, da da da, yeah
Nonsensical sounds to express my joy.
La da da da, da da, da deh
More silly sounds to convey happiness.
La da da da, da da, da da da
Continuing to express my elation through humming.
La da da da, da da, da deh
My jubilation knows no bounds!
Rock on baby...
Don't stop now, sweetheart...
Now, sometimes I sit down and I wonder
At times, I contemplate some things.
What made you really go away
What was the cause of your departure?
Then I would turn and say to myself
After reflection, I would tell myself.
I wonder if you're really goin' to say
I question whether you will stay with me.
Baby don't leave me for another
Please don't abandon me.
Don't ever leave me again
Never depart from me like you did before.
Don't ever leave me for another, yeah
Please stay with me and don't lust after someone else.
'Cause you are the sunshine of my life
You are the one true light in my existence.
I've said to rock on, baby
I've instructed you to keep going, my love.
Rock on , yeah, yeah...
Don't ever stop, keep it up!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARC BOLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Smith
He hits those notes perfectly!
TheMambaqueen
The horns ohhh I could listen to this forever, actually I probably will. Absolutely rocking. Thanks for posting this one.
josh chaffin
Hasta la muerte
Blue Cheese
You see legends don’t die, legends live forever.
Mr Gregory Issacs. You will always be one of my favourites <3
zeon710
The instruments 🎺 🔥🔥🔥 legendary song ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
sach1234sacha
Horns are just nuts so glad he made this tune for the earth long live the cool ruler
Trish O'Shea
💙Gregory the Goat💙Absolutely luv luv this💙Musical Genius 💙Mr Suave 💙The voice of Gregory will never get old💙
Damian Capponi
Esto si es reggae
Tutti Fruti
Oh my....the horns section......I would seriously love ❤️ to hear this on a heavyweight system...
freddy cloudburst
Follow up with Christine "one Saturday night" same riddim but more sound system mixed💥💥