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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.
Willow Tree
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They say that once the tear has fallen,
the willow cries eternally
cries out for we, my willow tree
don't shed your tears eternally
cause I have found the love I've searched for
I need your tears no more(no more), no more
and we'll could never be the saying
cry not for we, my willow tree
don't shed your tears eternally
cause I have found a love I've searched for
I need your tears no more(no more), no more
No more, no more now, no more
So tell be where, my weeping willow
and we'll could never be the saying
cry not for we, my willow tree
don't shed your tears eternally
cause I have found a love I've searched for
I need your tears no more (no more), no more
No more, no more(no more), no more (no more), no more
"Willow Tree" by Gregory Isaacs is a song about letting go of past hurts and finding a new love. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that they have suffered emotional pain, and that such pain is often reflected in the tears of a willow tree. The willow tree is a metaphor for the singer's sorrow, which has lasted for an indefinite period of time. However, the singer assures the tree that they have now found happiness, and that they no longer need to rely on it for comfort.
The chorus repeats the message of the verses, with the singer telling the willow tree not to cry anymore. They explain that they have found a new love and therefore no longer need to rely on the tree's tears for comfort. The song ends with the singer asking the willow tree to tell them where it is and stating that they will never be in mourning again.
The song is a testament to the power of healing and the importance of letting go of things that no longer serve you. It is a reminder that pain is not eternal and that it is possible to move on and find happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
No more now, no more, no more now
I no longer need to be comforted by my willow tree.
They say that once the tear has fallen,
There is a belief that once someone has cried, it's hard to stop their tears.
the willow cries eternally
The tree is always weeping and never really stops shedding tears.
cries out for we, my willow tree
The tree has become a symbol of comfort for the persona.
don't shed your tears eternally
It's time to stop shedding tears constantly and move on.
cause I have found the love I've searched for
The persona has found love and doesn't need to be comforted anymore.
I need your tears no more(no more), no more
The persona wants the willow tree to stop shedding tears now that they've found love.
So tell be where, my weeping willow
The persona is asking the willow tree where it is.
and we'll could never be the saying
The persona wants to be reunited with the willow tree.
cry not for we, my willow tree
The persona doesn't want the willow tree to cry anymore.
No more, no more now, no more
The persona reiterates that they don't need the willow tree's comfort anymore.
No more, no more(no more), no more (no more), no more
The persona repeats that they don't need the willow tree's comfort.
Writer(s): Gregory Anthony Isaacs
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@celebrityluxe3870
All who agree that this song still fresh in 2020.july 22 2020 to be exact blessed love from Jamaica.
@tammyhart6251
I just love listening to Gregory’s music, it puts me in such a comfortable place, that I just naturally feel good the rest of the day. Thank you for this!!!
@tammyhart6251
He is a true artist of music!!!
@kellybennett295
Played this at My brothers funeral one of his favorites
@trishosheaChelseaqueen53
💙Absolutely luv this💙Gregory at his Finest 💙Pure Niceness from the Mighty Cool Ruler💙
@xerubafotosnow7872
Reggae power
@liilyboonty5660
GREGORY ANTHONY ISAACS UNE VOIX SUAVE SENSUEL INNOUBLIABLE, DES BALLADE SUR LAQUELLE ON DANSE AVEC GRACE WILLO TREE
@lisabrown388
Always a fave my funeral tune right here ♥️
@lindalvafernandes9462
Muito bom na voz de gregory isaacs
@dav01kar
I still got the 12inch version 1980 circa