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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.
Telephone Love
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Telephone love, you make my day every time
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
Telephone love, you make my day every time
When you call I feel so good
Wish you were livin' in my neighborhood
So you can hang up the phone and rush on over
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
Telephone love, you make my day every time
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line, yeah
Telephone love, you make my day every time
If anyone else could see me
They would never understand
I'm just living out my fantasy
Talk your love with my mind
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
Telephone love, you make my day every time, yeah
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
Telephone love, you make my day every time
Telephone love
Telephone love
Telephone love
Telephone love
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
Telephone love, you make my day every time, yeah
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
Telephone love, you make my day every time
Whatever you do, don't hang up, don't hang up
Just keep pouring it out till you fill my cup
I'm lost in you whenever you speak, hey
When you call my name, I feel so weak
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
Telephone love, you make my day every time
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
Telephone love, you make my day every time, every time
(Telephone love)
Every time
Telephone lover, come back on the cover
(Telephone love)
Telephone love, you're so good to me
(Telephone love)
I need you desperately
Telephone lover
In "Telephone Love," Gregory Isaacs is speaking to his lover over the telephone. However, despite their conversation being over the phone, the exchange is very sweet and the lover's voice is enough to fulfill all of his needs. The song speaks to the idea of long-distance love and how it can still provide a sense of intimacy and satisfaction, even though the two individuals are separated by distance.
Isaacs speaks of how he wishes his lover were closer so that they could be intimate in person instead of just over the phone. The distance only increases his longing for them, but the phone call is enough to hold him over until they can be together again. He even acknowledges that if anyone else were to witness his conversation, they wouldn't understand the depth of his feelings and the importance of their phone calls.
The song highlights the power of communication and the influence that even a brief conversation can have on a person. It also emphasizes the need for human connection and intimacy, even when distance may seem to hinder it. "Telephone Love" serves as a reminder to cherish the moments we have with the people we care about, even if it's just over the phone.
Line by Line Meaning
Telephone love, you sound so sweet on the line
The singer is infatuated with the person on the other end of the phone, finding their voice to be pleasant and enjoyable.
Telephone love, you make my day every time
Talking to the person on the phone is a highlight of the singer's day and brings them joy.
When you call I feel so good
The singer experiences happiness and positivity when receiving a call from their love interest.
Wish you were livin' in my neighborhood
The distance between the two individuals is a source of longing and the singer desires to be closer to their love interest.
So you can hang up the phone and rush on over
The singer wants the person on the phone to be physically present so they can continue their romantic encounter in person.
Take off where we left off under the covers
The singer wants to continue their intimacy from the phone call in the physical realm.
If anyone else could see me They would never understand
The singer acknowledges that others may not understand their preference for having romance over the phone.
I'm just living out my fantasy Talk your love with my mind
The singer is content with having a phone-based romantic relationship and is living out their desired fantasy.
Whatever you do, don't hang up, don't hang up
The singer pleads with the person on the phone to continue their conversation and not abruptly end it.
Just keep pouring it out till you fill my cup
The singer wants the person on the phone to continue sharing their love and affection until the singer feels content and satisfied.
I'm lost in you whenever you speak, hey
The singer becomes completely enamored and consumed by the person on the phone every time they speak.
When you call my name, I feel so weak
The singer's emotions become so strong when they hear their love interest's voice that they feel overwhelmed and powerless.
Telephone lover, come back on the cover
The singer requests their phone lover to continue their romantic escapades in the bedroom.
Telephone love, you're so good to me
The singer is grateful for the happiness and joy that their phone lover brings into their life.
I need you desperately
The singer is deeply reliant on their phone lover and is desperate for their continued love and affection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLTON LENNOX HINES, HOPETON LINDO, MICHAEL ANTHONY BENNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@basslinewarper435
IF ONLY THEY MADE MUSIC LIKE THAT NOWADAYS IT WOULD CERTAINLY BE A HAPPIER PLACE.
@Royalfaction
They don't make beats this good anymore LoL
@JoshJamrock
Hear in 2023, and it is mad!
@anthonytika7409
Mi neva stop listening dem chune ya
@slysadonmusic9939
The best of best in the century
@kevinmaina2537
Still ringers on my mind when i hear this tune,,,,dem its older than mi bt nuff respek big up
@larrygreen9279
Nothing like that classic dancehall reggae bass sound boomin in your house or ride! 🔊
@deandeoasoas2813
My flat is this a sexy lady or man iff this gos out to everyone I don't want men taxing me not being funny but I only talk to sexy ladies ok lades DJ
@deandeoasoas2813
What s up don't tell him easy one love DJ
@jillheppy1977
Big classic like this telephone ☎️ lover never gets old with me still as fresh as it was back in the day loven the real deal great sound 👌 ❤💯💯