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.
Bonus Track
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you get down hearted, don't you cry
Troubles will be over, all our joys come over
Better days are coming by and by
Don't you know
Better days are coming by and by
Don't you get down hearted, don't you cry
Better days are coming by and by
It can't be this way always
A train must come, a train must come
There must be some brighter days
We'll have fun, we'll have fun, yeah
Better days are coming by and by
Don't you get down hearted, don't you cry
Troubles will be over, all our joys come over
Better days are coming by and by
Things get rough, your friends get few
Don't you cry, don't you cry
Change your flock, we'll come for you
We'll get high, we'll get high, yeah
Better days are coming by and by
Don't you get down hearted, don't you cry
Troubles will be over, all our joys come over
Better days are coming by and by
Don't you know
Better days are coming by and by
So don't you get down hearted, don't you cry
The lyrics of Jimmy Cliff's song "Bonus Track" are filled with themes of hope and perseverance in the face of hardships. The chorus repeats the sentiment that "better days are coming by and by," urging listeners not to give up or lose hope. The verses further emphasize this message, acknowledging that life can be tough and friends can be few, but encouraging listeners to keep pushing through because brighter days are on the horizon.
The lyrics convey a sense of community and togetherness, with lines like "change your flock, we'll come for you" implying that when faced with adversity, there is always someone who will have your back. The song's use of imagery, such as the metaphorical reference to a train coming to bring brighter days, adds depth and emotion to the lyrics.
Overall, "Bonus Track" is a song that offers a message of hope and unity, urging listeners to keep looking forward and finding strength in their connections to each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Better days are coming by and by
The future holds promise and there is hope that things will get better.
Don't you get down hearted, don't you cry
Keep up a positive attitude, things will improve, don't lose faith.
Troubles will be over, all our joys come over
Challenges will come to an end and happiness will be restored.
It can't be this way always
This current situation cannot remain forever.
A train must come, a train must come
Change will come eventually.
There must be some brighter days
There is potential for better times ahead.
We'll have fun, we'll have fun, yeah
There will be enjoyable experiences in the future.
Things get rough, your friends get few
Sometimes life is difficult and we may lose support from those around us.
Change your flock, we'll come for you
Find new companions, we will be there for you.
We'll get high, we'll get high, yeah
We will have a good time together and enjoy life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ruffstream Vybz - Full Albums
❤️💛💚 SONG LYRICS ❤️💛💚
[Verse 1]
Sitting here in limbo
But I know it won't be long
Sitting here in limbo
Like a bird without a song
Well, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
[Verse 2]
Sitting here in limbo
Waiting for the dice to roll
Yeah, now, sitting here in limbo
Got some time to search my soul
Well, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
[Chorus]
I don't know where life will leave me
But I know where I have been
I can't say what life will show me
But I know what I have seen
Tried my hand at love and friendship
But all that is past and gone
This little boy is moving on
[Verse 3]
Sitting here in limbo
Waiting for the tide to flow
Sitting here in limbo
Knowing that I have to go
Well, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
[Chorus]
I can't say what life will show me
But I know what I have seen
I can't say where life will take me
But I know where I have been
Tried my hand at love and friendship
But all that is past and gone
This little boy is moving on
[Verse 3]
Sitting here in limbo
Waiting for the tide to flow
Sitting here in limbo
Knowing that I have to go
Well, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
[Outro]
Sitting in limbo
Gonna lead me on now
Meanwhile, they're putting up resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
Sitting in limbo, limbo, limbo
Sitting in limbo, limbo, limbo
Sitting in limbo, limbo, limbo
Meanwhile, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
Ruffstream Vybz - Full Albums
❤️💛💚 SONG LYRICS ❤️💛💚
[Verse 1]
Sitting here in limbo
But I know it won't be long
Sitting here in limbo
Like a bird without a song
Well, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
[Verse 2]
Sitting here in limbo
Waiting for the dice to roll
Yeah, now, sitting here in limbo
Got some time to search my soul
Well, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
[Chorus]
I don't know where life will leave me
But I know where I have been
I can't say what life will show me
But I know what I have seen
Tried my hand at love and friendship
But all that is past and gone
This little boy is moving on
[Verse 3]
Sitting here in limbo
Waiting for the tide to flow
Sitting here in limbo
Knowing that I have to go
Well, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
[Chorus]
I can't say what life will show me
But I know what I have seen
I can't say where life will take me
But I know where I have been
Tried my hand at love and friendship
But all that is past and gone
This little boy is moving on
[Verse 3]
Sitting here in limbo
Waiting for the tide to flow
Sitting here in limbo
Knowing that I have to go
Well, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
[Outro]
Sitting in limbo
Gonna lead me on now
Meanwhile, they're putting up resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
Sitting in limbo, limbo, limbo
Sitting in limbo, limbo, limbo
Sitting in limbo, limbo, limbo
Meanwhile, they're putting up a resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
Rejy Varkey
I'm with u bro!
😀
Keats Samson
One of the greatest artists of the twentieth century.
DON HUE
yes and his fellow jamaicans from the 60ts who brought us the music
Joey Aniah
Jimmy's most touching songs. I was a lonely child when this song was released. It touched my essence.
moondogaudio jones
One of the most beautiful songs ever written and sung
DON HUE
listen to this....the book/frank cosmo
Anthony Absaroke
Love major to Jimmy Cliff!! His songs saved me oh so many times....
Dikran Tulaine
So good. Jimmy Cliff immortal
George Phinn
You Gould Never Get Tired Of Listening To This Song - It Really Get Into Your Heart - To Write this “Giess Who”. Is Pure Genius - Jessie had a Genius for a wife - She wrote one of the BEST Love Song Ever “Guess Who” written by his wife and Sung by the Genius Jessie Belvin - It Dosen’t Get Any Better Than This