- - -
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.
Rumours
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 gwan (Rumours a gwan)
Please Mr. Officer, let go me hand
You don't know me and you don't understan'
You see me flashin' a criss rental
Rumours dem spreadin'
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin'
A pure rumours a gwan (Rumours a gwan)
Rumours a gwan
I keep a dance just to nice up the place
Me buy enough liquor and red up dem face
Make man an' man have money to spend
And all de youth them know me a dem friend
Rumours dem spreadin'
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin'
A pure rumours a gwan
Rumours a gwan
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'
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin'
A pure rumours a gwan
Rumours a gwan
Rumours and rumours and rumours and rumours
Whole lotta propaganda
Rumours a gwan
Can't stop it
Rumours dem spreadin'
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin'
A pure rumours a gwan
Rumours a gwan
Please Mr. Officer, let go me hand
You don't know me and you don't understan'
You see me flashin' a criss rental
So you take that me a criminal
Rumours dem spreadin'
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin'
A pure rumours a gwan
Rumours a gwan
I keep a dance just to nice up the place
Me buy enough liquor and red up dem face
Make man an' man have money to spend
And all de youth them know me a dem friend
Rumours dem spreadin'
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin'
A pure rumours a gwan
A pure rumours a gwan
Rumours dem spreadin'
A sensee me plantin'
In "Rumours" Gregory Isaacs addresses the rumors that are being spread about him by someone or a group of people. These rumors claim that he is planting sensee, a type of Jamaican herb, when in fact they are just rumors with no basis. Isaacs declares himself to be a Don in the jugglin', meaning he is experienced in the art of selecting and playing music in a party. He is not a criminal, but a respected figure in his community who throws dances to "nice up the place" and make sure that "all de youth them know me a dem friend." Despite this, the authorities still see him as a criminal due to his flashy appearance and assume that he is up to no good.
Isaacs pleads with the officer not to judge him based on appearances, explaining that he can afford to wear expensive clothes and drive a rental car. The rumors continue to spread, fueled by propaganda, but Isaacs is not deterred, as he knows the truth and continues to live his life the way he wants to. He seems to acknowledge that he might never be able to stop the rumors and propaganda, and so he resolves to keep moving forward regardless.
"Rumours" is a prime example of classic reggae music, with a mellow beat and smooth vocals that perfectly convey the singer's emotions. It was released in 1988 as part of the "Red Rose For Gregory" album and became very popular in Jamaica, the UK, and other parts of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Rumours dem spreadin'
There are rumors going around about me
Claim that a sensee me plantin'
People are saying that I am planting drugs
But I man a de Don ina de jugglin'
I'm actually the boss and center of attention in the dancehall scene
A pure rumours a gwan (Rumours a gwan)
All of these stories are just rumors, nothing more
Please Mr. Officer, let go me hand
Officer, please stop detaining me
You don't know me and you don't understan'
You don't know me or understand my situation
You see me flashin' a criss rental
You see me driving a rented car
So you take that me a criminal
But you think I'm a criminal because of it
I keep a dance just to nice up the place
I organize dancehall parties to create a good atmosphere
Me buy enough liquor and red up dem face
I provide enough alcohol to get everyone drunk
Make man an' man have money to spend
I make sure everyone has enough money to have a good time
And all de youth them know me a dem friend
All the young people think of me as their friend
Don't matter what, dem nuff jewel mi wear
It doesn't matter how many jewels I wear
Caught me pants, it nuh have no tear
My pants are in good condition
Shoes cost a few hundred a pair
My shoes are expensive
An' me have money all through the year
And I have enough money all year long
Rumours and rumours and rumours and rumours
There are just so many rumors circulating
Whole lotta propaganda
A lot of false information is being spread
Can't stop it
But it can't be stopped
A pure rumours a gwan
All just rumors going around
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLTON LENNOX HINES
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