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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.
Storm
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To really know the light
The scent of rain
The weight of clouds
Pulling down the sky
Sometimes it takes a storm
To know how you feel
To understand indigo
Lighting up the fields
It takes the rain between the lines to know what sorrow finds
The way a cloud divides sometimes
The clearing and the blue
I love you
I was just passing through
And taken by surprise
Between the black sky
And the blue
Between the black sky and the blue
I love you
I love you
The lyrics of Gregory Isaacs's song "Storm" suggest that sometimes it takes difficult circumstances to truly appreciate the good things in life. This can be seen in lines such as "Sometimes it takes a storm to really know the light" and "Sometimes it takes a storm to know how you feel." The imagery of rain and clouds is used to express the weight of these difficult experiences, yet also to appreciate the beauty that can be found in them. The line "To understand indigo and the varnished sun / Lighting up the fields" highlights how moments of difficulty can bring a newfound understanding and appreciation of the world around us.
The chorus of the song speaks to the power of contrast in life. It takes "the rain between the lines" and "the way a cloud divides sometimes" to truly appreciate the moments of clarity and beauty that exist. The singer of the song declares "I love you, I was just passing through / And taken by surprise / Between the black sky and the blue / I love you," suggesting that it is the contrast between difficulty and beauty that has led them to appreciate their loved one even more. The overall message of the song seems to be that life is full of ups and downs, and it is in navigating these storms that we can find the most beauty and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes it takes a storm
Challenges or hardships can lead to greater understanding.
To really know the light
One must experience darkness to appreciate the good in life.
The scent of rain
The aroma of petrichor that fills the air during rainfall can set off somber, melancholic thoughts.
The weight of clouds
The heavy, dark clouds in the sky can evoke a sense of anxiety or uncertainty.
Pulling down the sky
The overbearing presence of clouds can make one feel like the sky is falling down.
Sometimes it takes a storm
Challenges or hardships can lead to greater understanding.
To know how you feel
Emotional turmoil can help one truly understand their own thoughts and feelings.
To understand indigo
The color indigo can represent deep, complex emotions that are difficult to comprehend.
And the varnished sun
The sun can represent hope and positivity, but its shine can dim during a storm.
Lighting up the fields
Sunshine after a storm can create a beautiful landscape that signifies growth and renewal.
It takes the rain between the lines to know what sorrow finds
It takes looking deeper between the lines to truly understand sorrow and grief.
The way a cloud divides sometimes
Clouds can represent a divide or barrier between two people or things, causing confusion or uncertainty.
The clearing and the blue
The sense of clarity and calmness after a storm can bring about a renewed perspective and sense of clarity.
I love you
Expressing romantic love for someone.
Writer(s): Fernando Ortega, Gregory Anthony Isaacs Copyright: Tafari Music Inc., Word Music LLC, Dejamesolo Music
Contributed by Mackenzie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@justintime9623
Lord! lord! lord!
Hang on(come rain come shine)
We're in a storm
But whenever there is a storm
I know they've got to be a calm
Lord! lord! hang on(come rain come shine)
We'll soon see dawn
Cause although it's windy not warm
Jah will guide us through the storm
Hang on, jam down down already, hang on
Got to hang on steady, hang on
And we'll surely see the dawn
Jah jah alone will keep us warm
Come rain come shine, come rain come shine
Come rain come shine, come rain come shine
Lord! lord! lord!
Hang on(come rain come shine)
We're in a storm
But whenever there is a storm
Jah know they've got to be a calm
Lord a mercy please hang on(a come rain come shine)
Hang on(come rain come shine)
I said to hang on(come rain come shine)
And we'll surely see the dawn
Jah jah will guide us through the storm
Yes he'll surely keep us warm
All through the storm hang on(a come rain come shine)
Lord! lord! hang on(come rain come shine)
Jam down down already, hang on(come rain come shine)
Come mek wi hang on steady, hang on(a come rain come shine)
And we'll surely reach the shore, hang on(a come rain come shine)
Mi going, got to hang on
@ReggaeMusicisForYou
Waking up with this song in your head is encouragement from the Divine! ❤️💛💚Yes Gregory! ⛈️☀️
@KesiaSiares-kd8hh
Mim arrependo até hoje de nunca ter indo ao show de gregory issacs tantas vezes ele veio no Piauí e Maranhão e eu não tinha conhecimento mais ouço todos dias.
@c33c33c
Those guitar hits just do it for me. Mr. Gregory Isaacs big respect.
@justintime9623
Lord! lord! lord!
Hang on(come rain come shine)
We're in a storm
But whenever there is a storm
I know they've got to be a calm
Lord! lord! hang on(come rain come shine)
We'll soon see dawn
Cause although it's windy not warm
Jah will guide us through the storm
Hang on, jam down down already, hang on
Got to hang on steady, hang on
And we'll surely see the dawn
Jah jah alone will keep us warm
Come rain come shine, come rain come shine
Come rain come shine, come rain come shine
Lord! lord! lord!
Hang on(come rain come shine)
We're in a storm
But whenever there is a storm
Jah know they've got to be a calm
Lord a mercy please hang on(a come rain come shine)
Hang on(come rain come shine)
I said to hang on(come rain come shine)
And we'll surely see the dawn
Jah jah will guide us through the storm
Yes he'll surely keep us warm
All through the storm hang on(a come rain come shine)
Lord! lord! hang on(come rain come shine)
Jam down down already, hang on(come rain come shine)
Come mek wi hang on steady, hang on(a come rain come shine)
And we'll surely reach the shore, hang on(a come rain come shine)
Mi going, got to hang on
@danablake9349
Fantastic. Big thanks friend!
@leahmarch8161
Cool, Cool, Cool Gregory....Magnificent, Great I was a young girl in jamaica when this song was pumping all over the place.... still love it.
@raimundosouza5539
A batida deste som é sinistra. Muita pedra preciosa esta cancao.
@AfrikanEagle
Motivating me in all my storms and challenges!!! Bravo, the Cool Ruler!!!
@MrEducatedears
LOVE THIS SONG!
@zmoek
Who don't?