Gregory Anthony Isaacs ⋆ 15 July 1951 in Kingston, Jamaica ⋆ 25 Oct 2010 in… Read Full Bio ↴Gregory Anthony Isaacs ⋆ 15 July 1951 in Kingston, Jamaica ⋆ 25 Oct 2010 in London UK ⋆ was a Jamaican singer and songwriter. He recorded an enormous amount of songs in the genres (regular) reggae, lovers rock, roots reggae. His nickname was the Cool Ruler. By the late 1970s, Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae performers, regularly touring the US and the UK. Well-known songs are Night Nurse, Mr Cop, My Only Lover, Tune In, and Love Is Overdue. He became an international star 1978 after signed to Virgin Record's Front Line, and appeared in the movie Rockers with the song Slave Master. The two Front Line albums Cool Ruler and Soon Forward did, however, not sell as good as expected from someone regarded to be the third or fourth reggae artist in the world after Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and maybe Jacob Miller (singer in the band Inner Circle). Drug problems with cocaine and crack cocaine in the early 80s decelerated Isaacs carrier substantially, but not completely. He released 73 studio albums with original material, and over 500 compilation or remix albums. He worked together with almost all big Jamaican music producers of the 70s, 80s and 90s.

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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.

Wonderful tonight
Gregory Isaacs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"

And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,

I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gregory Isaacs's song Wonderful Tonight is a beautiful tribute to a woman he loves. The song begins with a scene where the woman is getting ready to go to a party and is wondering what clothes she should wear. She puts on her makeup and brushes her hair, and then she asks Isaacs if she looks alright, and he compliments her by saying that she looks "wonderful tonight." The second verse has Isaacs and the woman at a party where everyone turns to see this beautiful lady walking around with him. She asks if Isaacs is feeling all right, and he answers affirmatively, saying he feels "wonderful tonight."

Isaacs opens up about his love and admiration for the woman in the chorus by singing that he feels wonderful because he sees the love light in her eyes. The wonder of it all is that she just doesn't realize how much he loves her. The last verse has Isaacs telling the woman that it's time to go home now, and he's got an aching head, so he gives her the car keys, and she helps him to bed. Isaacs then turns out the light and tells the woman that she was wonderful tonight before saying the same thing again, emphasizing how much he means it.

Overall, the song is an intimate portrayal of a deep love between two people, and Isaacs spends most of the song praising the woman's beauty, both inside and outside. The major theme of this song is to appreciate your loved ones and make them feel appreciated whenever possible.

Line by Line Meaning

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
The night is getting late and she is trying to decide which clothes to wear to the party.

She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
She applies her makeup and carefully brushes her long, blonde hair to look her best for the occasion.

And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
She asks for my opinion on her appearance, seeking my approval.

And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."
I express my admiration for her, letting her know that she looks beautiful tonight.

We go to a party and everyone turns to see this beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
As we enter the party, people notice her elegant beauty and her company with me.

And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
She inquires about my well-being and wants to make sure that we are both enjoying the evening.

And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."
I respond with enthusiasm, expressing how much I enjoy spending time with her and how happy I feel in her company.

I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes.
I feel happy and content when I see the love and admiration in her eyes towards me.

And the wonder of it all is that you just don't realize how much I love you.
The beauty of it all is that she is not even aware of how deeply I love and care for her.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head, So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
As it is time to leave the party, I am experiencing a headache and she helps me to bed and drives us home.

And then I tell her, as I turn out the light, I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight. Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."
Before falling asleep, I express to her how amazing she was tonight and how much I appreciate having her in my life, reiterating how wonderful she truly is.

Writer(s): Eric Patrick Clapton

Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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