Cliff moved to Kingston in 1962. After he released two singles that failed to make much of an impression, his career took off when his "Hurricane Hattie" became a hit, while he was aged just 14; it was produced by Leslie Kong, with whom Cliff would remain until Kong's death. Later local hit singles included "King of Kings", "Dearest Beverley" and "Pride and Passion". In 1964, Cliff was chosen as one of the Jamaican representatives at the World's Fair, and Cliff soon signed to Island Records and moved to Britain. Island initially (and unsuccessfully) tried to sell Cliff to the rock audience, but his career took off in the late 1960s. His international debut album was Hard Road to Travel, which received excellent reviews and included "Waterfall", a Brazilian hit that won the International Song Festival.
"Waterfall" was followed in 1969 by "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and "Vietnam" in 1970, both popular throughout most of the world. Folk rock singer-songwriter Bob Dylan even called "Vietnam" the best protest song he'd ever heard. Wonderful World included a cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World", which was a success in 1970.
Leslie Kong died of a heart attack in 1971. The soundtrack to the reggae film The Harder They Come was a huge success that sold well across the world, but did not break Cliff into the mainstream. After a series of albums, Cliff took a break and traveled to Africa, exploring his newfound Muslim spirituality. He quickly returned to music, touring for several years before he recorded with Kool & the Gang for Power & the Glory (1983). (During the 1981 River Tour, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band added Cliff's little-known "Trapped" to their live set; it achieved great prominence when included on 1985's We Are the World benefit album.) The follow-up, Cliff Hanger (1985) won a Grammy Award, though it was his last major success in the U.S. until 1993. He continued to sell well in Jamaica and, to a lesser extent, the UK, returning to the mainstream pop charts in the U.S. and elsewhere with a version of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" on the Cool Runnings film soundtrack in 1993 .
In 2002, Cliff released his new album, Fantastic Plastic People in Europe, after first providing free downloads using Delacove's People Music Media p2p software. This album featured collaborations with Joe Strummer, Annie Lennox, and Sting as well as new songs that were very reminiscent of Cliff's original hits. In 2004 Cliff completely reworked the songs, dropping the traditional reggae in favor of an electronica sound, for inclusion in Black Magic.
Cliff has also covered the famous African song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
His recording of 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' was used as a campaign anthem by the Sandinista National Liberation Front in the 1990 election in Nicaragua (they lost). It was also adopted by the British Conservative Party during their annual conference in October, 2007. It is unclear whether Mr Cliff endorsed either party. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 15,2010.
Black Magic
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wanna know what it is make the boys want more?
Is your lover playing on your side?
Says he loves you but he ain′t got time
Here's the answer, come and get it
At a night down heights
Smooth like honey
Just to make him sleep
He′s still ballin'
Just to help him see what he's been missing
So come and get it, while you still have time
If you′re boy′s sneezing repeat after me say
Take a sip of my secret potion
I'll make you fall in love
First love it can′t be broken
One drop should be enough
For you belong to me
I got the recipe
And it's called black magic (and it′s called black magic)
Take a sip of my secret potion
One taste and you'll be mine
There′s a spell that can't be broken
It'll keep you up all night
For you belong to me
I got the recipe
And it′s called black magic (and it′s called black magic)
If you're looking
For Mr. Right
Need a magic
To change him overnight
Here′s the answer
Come and get it
While you still got time
If you're boy′s sneezing repeat after me say
Take a sip from my secret potion
I'll make you fall in love
First love it can′t be broken
One drop should be enough
For you belong to me
I got the recipe
And it's called black magic (and it's called black magic)
Take a sip from my secret potion
One taste and you′ll be mine
There′s a spell that can't be broken
It′ll keep you up all night
For you belong to me
I got the recipe
And it's called black magic (and it′s called black magic)
All the girls on the block knocking in my door
(I got the recipe)
Wanna know what it is make the boys want more?
(Now you belong to me)
All the girls on the block knocking in my door
(I got the recipe)
Wanna know what it is make the boys want more?
(Now you belong to me)
Take a sip from my secret potion
I'll make you fall in love
First love it can′t be broken
One drop should be enough
For you belong to me
I got the recipe
And it's called black magic (and it's called black magic)
Take a sip from my secret potion
One taste and you′ll be mine
There′s a spell that can't be broken
It′ll keep you up all night
For you belong to me
I got the recipe
And it's called black magic (and it′s called black magic)
Falling in love
Falling in love
Falling in love
Falling in love
The song "Black Magic" by Jimmy Cliff is a love song that speaks of a potion that can make someone fall in love with you. The song appears to be addressed to girls who are looking for ways to make their boyfriends love them more. The girls are advised to take a sip from the secret potion, and the spell will work like magic to make their boyfriends fall madly in love with them. The lyrics suggest that the boyfriends are not giving enough attention to their girlfriends, and the girls want to change that by using the black magic potion.
In addition, the lyrics also appeal to girls who are looking for Mr. Right. The black magic potion is presented as the solution to change a man overnight and make him the perfect partner. The lyrics suggest that the potion can make the boys fall in love so deeply that they won't be able to resist the girls' charms. The song has a catchy melody and is delivered in an upbeat style that makes it an exciting love song.
Overall, "Black Magic" is a song about the power of love and how a magic potion can help people get what they want in their love lives.
Line by Line Meaning
All the girls on the block knocking in my door
Women are curious about what I possess that makes men want more of them
Wanna know what it is make the boys want more?
Do you want to gain power over the men you desire?
Is your lover playing on your side?
Is your partner being faithful to you?
Says he loves you but he ain′t got time
Your partner's actions don't match their words and their love for you doesn't seem genuine
Here's the answer, come and get it
The solution to your problems is at your disposal
At a night down heights
We will meet up in a high place at night
Smooth like honey
Our encounter will be pleasant and pleasing
Just to make him sleep
You will perform a special ritual on your partner so that they will fall asleep
He′s still ballin'
Despite his status, your partner still wants to be desired
Just to help him see what he's been missing
You want to make your partner realize the affection and care that they have been missing
So come and get it, while you still have time
Hurry up and take this opportunity before it runs out
If you′re boy′s sneezing repeat after me say
Recite this chant after me to attain your desires
Take a sip of my secret potion
Use my special formula to gain power over the person you desire
I'll make you fall in love
My formula will create an unbreakable bond between you and your desired partner
First love it can′t be broken
The first love that is born from my formula will never fade or break
One drop should be enough
Just a small amount of my formula is enough to create an intense attraction
For you belong to me
You will be under my power and control
I got the recipe
I possess the secret knowledge that can be used to make people fall in love
And it's called black magic (and it′s called black magic)
This knowledge and formula is called dark magic
One taste and you'll be mine
After using my formula, you will be fully under my control
There′s a spell that can't be broken
My formula creates a powerful spell that cannot be broken
It'll keep you up all night
The effects of my formula will last a long time and you will not be able to sleep
If you're looking for Mr. Right
If you are searching for the perfect partner
Need a magic to change him overnight
You require a special formula that can change your partner's behavior and make them more desirable
Falling in love
The ultimate goal of using my formula is to create a powerful love that cannot be broken
Writer(s): Jimmy Cliff
Contributed by Tristan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Iwe Okeoghene Blessing
on No. 1 Rip-Off Man
Chorus
One more, one more, one more, one more
Verse
I got one more song I must sing
Ting-aline, freedom ring
I got one more song I must sing
A simple song, so sing along
Repeat chorus
I got one more story to tell
Mystery, my story
I got one more story to tell
True story, my glory
Repeat chorus
I got one more arrow in my bow
As I let it go, just watch my flow
I got one more arrow in my bow
To the target, and it's a hit
Repeat chorus
Bridge
Hey baby don't you go away
I want you to listen
What I have to say
It's not over, till it's over
I'm a natural lover
Hey mister, get out of my way
This is not no time to play
Hey mister get out of my way
I got to live for another day, All we got
Chorus
One more(life to live)
One more(love to give)
One more(cliff to climb)
One more(it's my time)
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I can't run, till the deal is done
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I won't run, till the deal is done
Repeat chorus
I got one more shot at the prize
So don't be surprised, open your eyes
I got one more shot at the goal
Straight from my soul
And I'm in control
Repeat chorus till fade
Iwe Okeoghene Blessing
on No. 1 Rip-Off Man
Rip off man
Edwin Nyirenda
on Brother
Brother - Jimmy cliff
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Do you believe what your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – brother
Oh brother
Joseph and his brothers – left Canaan
They saw the little brother – in Egypt
They both had the same cause and the same purpose
They come about the same hurt that they got back the most
Do you understand me – my brother
Oh brother
Brother (X4)
Let us help the fallen – sister
She will love to call you – mister
Do you see the need for unity
To bring about respect and dignity
Don’t you understand me – my brother
Brother
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Is it the things that your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – my brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother now hey hey yeah oh yeah hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
Are you my brother now hey hey hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
You don’t wanna understand me now oh brother
Oh brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother