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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.
Rumors
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin′
A pure rumours a gwaan
(Rumours a gwaan)
Please Mr. Officer, leggo me hand
You don't know me and you don't understan′
So you take that me a criminal
Rumours dem spreadin'
I keep a dance jus′ to nice up the place
Me buy nuff liquor and red up dem face
Mek man an' man have money to spend
And all de youth them know me a dem friend
Rumours dem spreadin′
Don't matter what, dem nuff jewel mi wear
Caught me pants, it nuh have no tear
Shoes cost a few hundred a pair
An′ me have money all through the year
Rumours dem spreadin'
Rumours and rumours
Whole lotta propaganda
Rumours a gwaan
Can't stop it
The song "Rumors" by Gregory Isaacs is all about the spread of rumors and the negative effects it can have on an individual's life. The singer portrays himself as a victim of rumors that have been spreading about him, claiming that he is involved in illegal activities. He refutes these claims by asserting that he is a "Don ina de jugglin'", which means that he is a skilled entertainer and nothing more. Despite his protests, the rumors continue to spread, causing the police to wrongfully arrest him. The singer expresses his frustration at the situation, asking for the police to "leggo me hand" (i.e. release him).
Throughout the song, Isaacs highlights how easily rumors can spread and how damaging they can be. He explains how he simply hosted a dance to "nice up the place", but the rumors caused people to suspect that he was involved in criminal activities. Despite the rumors, he continues to live his life and maintain good relationships with the people around him. He mentions how he helps his friends by providing them with money, and how he has enough wealth to afford expensive clothing and accessories.
Line by Line Meaning
Rumours dem spreadin'
There are rumors going around.
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
People are accusing me of growing marijuana.
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin'
But I'm the boss in the music scene.
A pure rumours a gwaan
It's all just rumors.
(Rumours a gwaan)
(Rumors are spreading.)
Please Mr. Officer, leggo me hand
Please let go of my hand, officer.
You don't know me and you don't understan'
You don't know me and you don't understand.
You see me flashin' a criss rental
You see me driving a nice car.
So you take that me a criminal
So you assume I'm a criminal.
I keep a dance jus' to nice up the place
I host dances to make the place lively.
Me buy nuff liquor and red up dem face
I buy a lot of alcohol and make them happy.
Mek man an' man have money to spend
I give people a chance to make money.
And all de youth them know me a dem friend
And all the young people know that I'm their friend.
Don't matter what, dem nuff jewel mi wear
It doesn't matter what jewels I wear.
Caught me pants, it nuh have no tear
My pants have no holes.
Shoes cost a few hundred a pair
My shoes are expensive.
An' me have money all through the year
And I have money all year round.
Rumours and rumours
There are many rumors.
Whole lotta propaganda
It's all propaganda.
Rumours a gwaan
Rumors are spreading.
Can't stop it
I can't stop it.
Writer(s): Joe King Carrasco, Gene Moriarty
Contributed by Ruby S. 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