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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.
Under the Sea
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In some parts it's always cleaner
You dream about going up there
But that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean shaft
Such wonderful things surround you
Under the sea, under the sea
Darling, it's better, down there it's wetter, take it from me
Up on the step they worked all day, out in the sun they sail away
While we're devoting, full time to floating under the sea
Down here all the fish is happy
As off through the waves they roll
The fish on the land ain't happy
They sad 'cause they in their bowl
The fish in the bowl is lucky
They in for a worser fate
One day when the boss get hungry
Guess who's going in the plate
Under the sea, under the sea
Nobody beats us, fry us and eat us in fricassee
We what the land folks loves to cook
Under the sea we're off the hook
We got no troubles, life is all bubbles under the sea
Under the sea
Since life is sweet here, we got the beat here naturally
Even the sturgeon and the ray, they get the urge and start to play
We got the spirit, you got to hear it under the sea
The newt play the flute, the carp play the harp
The plaice play the bass and they sounding sharp
The bass play the brass, the chub play the tub
The fluke is the duke of soul
The ray he can play, the lings on the strings
The trout rocking out, the black fish, she sings
The smelt and the sprat, they know where it's at
And oh, that blow fish blow
Under the sea, under the sea
When the sardine begin the beguine, it's music to me
What do they got? A lot of sand, we got a hot crustacean band
Each little clam here know how to jam here, under the sea
Each little slug here, cutting a rug here, under the sea
Each little snail here know how to wail here
That's why it's hotter under the water
We in luck here down in the muck here under the sea
The song "Under the Sea" by Gregory Isaacs is about the beauty of oceans and the creatures that live in it. The lyrics highlight the fact that everything is better down in the sea and one shouldn't dream about going up there. The seaweed is always greener and in some parts, always cleaner in the sea. The song emphasizes that there are so many wonderful things that surround you in the ocean and there’s no need to look for more. The fish in the sea are always happy and playful while the fish on land are trapped in their bowl and not very happy.
The lyrics also talk about how the creatures under the sea have formed their own band and each one of them plays their own music. Even though they live under the sea, they know how to have fun and make music. Meanwhile, the humans spend their day working hard and sailing under the sun, while the creatures under the sea are devoting their full time in floating and having a good time. The song’s meaning is quite simple and straightforward: life under the sea is better than life on land.
Line by Line Meaning
The seaweed is always greener
Things always look better from a distance
In some parts it's always cleaner
Some places have a more pristine environment than others
You dream about going up there
You fantasize about leaving your current life
But that is a big mistake
You don't realize the beauty around you
Just look at the world around you
Take a moment to appreciate your surroundings
Right here on the ocean shaft
Right in front of you in the ocean
Such wonderful things surround you
There is so much beauty around you
What more are you looking for?
You have everything you need right here
Under the sea, under the sea
Life is better under the water
Darling, it's better, down there it's wetter, take it from me
The underwater world is better than the world above water
Up on the step they worked all day, out in the sun they sail away
Those on land work hard and leave for adventure
While we're devoting, full time to floating under the sea
We enjoy life underwater all the time
Down here all the fish is happy
Life is good underwater
As off through the waves they roll
Fish are free to roam and explore underwater
The fish on the land ain't happy
Fish in captivity are not as happy as those in the wild
They sad 'cause they in their bowl
Fish in bowls or tanks are unhappy because they are confined
The fish in the bowl is lucky
Fish in captivity have it easier than those in the wild
They in for a worser fate
Their fate is worse than those in the wild because they are being kept as pets
One day when the boss get hungry
The person who owns the fish will eventually want to eat it
Guess who's going in the plate
The unlucky fish in the bowl will be eaten
Nobody beats us, fry us and eat us in fricassee
Fish underwater don't have to worry about being captured and eaten
We what the land folks loves to cook
Fish in the ocean are the ones people like to eat
Under the sea we're off the hook
Fish in the ocean are safe from being caught and eaten
We got no troubles, life is all bubbles under the sea
Life is worry-free underwater and full of bubbles
Since life is sweet here, we got the beat here naturally
Underwater life is easy and fun
Even the sturgeon and the ray, they get the urge and start to play
Even the biggest and scariest fish like to play under the water
We got the spirit, you got to hear it under the sea
There is an energy and joy to life underwater
The newt play the flute, the carp play the harp
Different fish have different talents and enjoy playing music
The plaice play the bass and they sounding sharp
Fish of different species come together to play music
The bass play the brass, the chub play the tub
Even fish that aren't typically associated with certain instruments like to play music
The fluke is the duke of soul
Even fish that aren't musically inclined have their own unique talents
The ray he can play, the lings on the strings
Even the more unusual sea creatures can play music
The trout rocking out, the black fish, she sings
Fish of all shapes and sizes join in the music-making
The smelt and the sprat, they know where it's at
Even the smallest fish are part of the action
And oh, that blow fish blow
Even the blowfish, which is typically seen as dangerous, can make beautiful music
When the sardine begin the beguine, it's music to me
Even the sounds of everyday fish are like music to their ears
What do they got? A lot of sand, we got a hot crustacean band
Fish have real music, while people on land have only sand and mechanical music
Each little clam here know how to jam here, under the sea
Even creatures that aren't fish like to join in the music-making
Each little slug here, cutting a rug here, under the sea
Even the slow-moving creatures are part of the lively scene underwater
Each little snail here know how to wail here
Even the snails are musically talented
That's why it's hotter under the water
Underwater life is full of energy and excitement
We in luck here down in the muck here under the sea
Life underwater may seem messy, but it is full of happiness and luck
Contributed by Matthew K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MsPedross
A musica já tem uma vibe caribenha...
@brunorodrigues6953
Só lembro do show dele no República do reggae em Salvador-BA em 2004
@kmasucci
This fits perfectly! Just insert Sebastian's voice and there you go!!! WIN!!
@NattyDoctor
RIP Gregory Isaacs. Hope you are "under the sea".
@MrYoann029
Best & Great TUNE
@shaggydog9789
I was going to ask what happened to his voice but then I looked on Wikipedia and saw that he passed away from lung cancer in the same year that this cd was released.
@paulh8175
Dope
@techsergeant1361
oh greg'ry! how much did they pay you? this is rank!
@NattyDoctor
Thanks mate. Peace and Iration. :)
@marley525
BIG UP THE COOL RULER ONE LOVE