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 Queen
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah yeah yeah nah nah yah
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
You're the queen of the universe
But made to feel the worse
Mother of civilisation
I'm with you to go back on top
Cos you're the cream of the crop
I say to you
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
Immorality, you must eradicate
Morality, you must indicate
To produce a mighty nation
Like the first Creation
I'll defend and protect you
Oh my love all of these words are true
I say to you
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
(Black queen arise)
Rise and take your place
(You must stand and take your place)
(Black queen arise),
Rise and take your place
(You must stand and take your place)
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
The song "Black Queen" by Jimmy Cliff is a call to action for black women to rise up and take their rightful place in society. The lyrics open with the repetition of "ooooh baby babe yeah yeah" which creates a sense of urgency and passion. The next lines reveal the central message of the song: black women are the queens of the universe and they must arise to take their place. The repetition of "you must stand and take your place" reinforces the message that black women have been marginalized, but it’s time for them to stand up and assert themselves.
Jimmy Cliff then sings about the unfair treatment that black women have received and their essential role in shaping civilization. He acknowledges the struggle faced by black women to be valued and respected as they really are. He then goes on to tell the black women that he stands with them in advocating for equality and calls for the eradication of immorality and the indication of morality. Finally, he declares his love and support for black women.
This song was written and released during a time when black women faced systemic oppression and harassment in society. By using his platform to raise awareness about this issue, Cliff was able to spark a conversation and advocate for the rights of black women. His poignant lyrics and soulful voice make this song a testament to the resilience of black women in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
The singer encourages Black women to rise and take their rightful place in society.
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
The singer repeats his call to action for Black women to assert themselves in society.
You're the queen of the universe
Black women are regarded as the most important people in the world.
But made to feel the worse
Despite their significant role, Black women are often made to feel inferior or marginalized.
You're the one from Creation
Black women are revered as the origin of humanity.
Mother of civilisation
Black women are the mother figures of civilization.
I'm with you to go back on top
The singer pledges to support Black women in their quest to rise above discrimination and challenges.
Cos you're the cream of the crop
Black women are the most elite group of people.
I say to you
The artist emphasizes the importance of his message to Black women.
Immorality, you must eradicate
The artist urges Black women to reject immoral behavior and to maintain high standards of conduct.
Morality, you must indicate
Black women must set an example for others to follow by showing moral behavior.
To produce a mighty nation
By upholding high standards of behavior, Black women can contribute to building a strong and powerful community.
Like the first Creation
Black women have the power to create something great, like the first creation of humanity.
I'll defend and protect you
The singer pledges to help and support Black women in their mission.
Oh my love all of these words are true
The singer loves and believes in Black women and is sincere in his message.
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
The artist reiterates his call to action for Black women to rise and assert themselves in society.
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
The artist repeats his call to action for Black women to rise and assert themselves in society.
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
The singer emphasizes the importance of Black women taking their place in society.
(Black queen arise)
The singer emphasizes the need for Black women to arise and assert themselves.
Rise and take your place
The artist encourages Black women to rise up and assert themselves in society.
(You must stand and take your place)
The artist reiterates that Black women must assert themselves in society.
(Black queen arise)
The artist emphasizes the need for Black women to arise and assert themselves.
Rise and take your place
The singer encourages Black women to rise up and assert themselves in society.
(You must stand and take your place)
The artist reiterates that Black women must assert themselves in society.
Black queen arise, you must stand and take your place
The singer emphasizes the importance of Black women taking their place in society and asserting themselves.
Writer(s): Jimmy Cliff
Contributed by Nolan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@georgewalker2831
Late. 70s Jimmy cliff made a tour of west Africa. The bongo man came to Freetown Sierra Leone and l have seen him in concert too
@georgewalker2831
This is a fine tribute to the black women world wide
@renatocunha3731
Boa tarde! Linda música 👏
@georgewalker2831
Most of my aunt's and uncoles have this album in their collection
@georgewalker1860
this is a very fine tribute to African /black woman
@fombillioncivilization2784
Jimmy Cliff is from another planet, he was sent here to bless this planet with conscious and healing music. More Bless KING JIMMY.
@georgewalker2831
@@fombillioncivilization2784 you can say that again l saw him in concert he was on fire
@georgedember7434
love this song I am 60 yrs nowpraise God. lesson to learn continue Big Bro God's blessings flow
@aynpayas6898
Am 62 and still love this song. One of my best of Jimmy cliff songs.
@georgewalker2831
Still sounds good may 20 22