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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.
Special Guest
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
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Special Guest lyrics
Feeling kinda high, I've seen the reason in the sky
And the stars are shining bright, day bright star
Let me be the special guest, walking ...yeah
Feeling kinda red, kinda red
Lots of ... to my head,
And the mood is very right, very right star
Come on and rock, come rock, come rock
Come and rock with me
I said to rock, to rock, rock, that's how we choose to be
I am feeling ... I, I, I, only genuine
Feeling kinda... now you put me in the mood
And you look me very right, very right star
Let me be the special guest for the night, yeah
Feeling kinda high, I've seen the reason in the sky
And the stars are shining bright, day bright star
Let me be the special guest for the night
Come on and rock, come rock, come rock
Come and rock with me
I said to rock, to rock, rock, that's how we choose to be
I am feeling high, and no one know the reason why
...cause I'm red, cause I'm red.
The lyrics of "Special Guest" by Gregory Isaacs seem to describe a man feeling a sense of euphoria and elation, possibly due to the influence of drugs like marijuana. He describes seeing "the reason in the sky" and mentions the stars shining bright. The persona seems to be in a state of mind that makes him feel like a "day bright star" and he wants to be the "special guest" for the night. He invites and encourages others to join him in "rocking" and being in a carefree, happy state of mind. Despite feeling "kinda red," which could mean being under the influence of drugs that make the eyes appear red or feeling emotional, the persona seems to be enjoying himself and feeling very much alive.
The lyrics can be interpreted to mean a lot of different things, but one way to read them is as an ode to the feelings of being high and free, and inviting others to join in the fun. The idea of being a "special guest" for the night could mean enjoying a temporary escape from reality, and enjoying the company of others in a carefree setting.
Line by Line Meaning
Feeling kinda high, I've seen the reason in the sky
I feel elevated and I can sense a purpose in the sky
And the stars are shining bright, day bright star
The stars are shining so brightly, they could be a star in daylight
Let me be the special guest, walking ...yeah
Allow me to be your special guest and walk alongside you
Feeling kinda red, kinda red
I feel flushed or excited
Lots of ... to my head,
I have lots of ideas or thoughts in my head
And the mood is very right, very right star
The ambiance is perfect, like a bright star shining in the sky
Let me the special guest for the night
Please let me be your exceptional guest for the night
Come on and rock, come rock, come rock
Let's dance and have fun together
I said to rock, to rock, rock, that's how we choose to be
I choose to enjoy life and dance to the rhythm
I am feeling ... I, I, I, only genuine
I feel authentic and sincere
Feeling kinda... now you put me in the mood
Feeling a certain way because of your influence
And you look me very right, very right star
You look exquisite, like a bright star shining in the sky
Let me be the special guest for the night, yeah
Please let me be your exceptional guest for the night
I am feeling kinda high, I've seen the reason in the sky
I feel elevated and I can sense a purpose in the sky
And the stars are shining bright, day bright star
The stars are shining so brightly, they could be a star in daylight
Let me be the special guest for the night
Please let me be your exceptional guest for the night
Come on and rock, come rock, come rock
Let's dance and have fun together
I said to rock, to rock, rock, that's how we choose to be
I choose to enjoy life and dance to the rhythm
I am feeling high, and no one know the reason why
I feel ecstatic, although I cannot explain why
...cause I'm red, cause I'm red.
I'm feeling red or excited
Writer(s): Gregory Anthony Isaacs
Contributed by Aiden F. 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