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.
Brave Warrior
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See them coming one by one
See them coming two by two
But it seems like just a few
'Cause you are the mighty and wise
We're going to cut them right down to size
Fight on, brave warrior
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't
We're going to bust it through
If they come physically
We're going to take them psychologically
If they come psychologically
We're going to take them on mentally
If they come mentally
Wе're going to take them on spiritually
Fight on, bravе warrior
Until they open up the door for you
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't
We're going to bust it through
Because your cause is righteous and just
By any means, destruction's a must
Because you are the mighty and wise
We cut them right down to size
Only the strong can survive
There is no question who will stay alive
Fight on, brave warrior
Until they open up the door for you
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't
We're going to bust it through
The lyrics of "Brave Warrior" by Jimmy Cliff are an ode to courage and determination. The song talks about the battle that has started, with the enemy coming in groups no matter how small, but the singer is mighty and wise enough to fight them all. The lyrics reassure that the warriors will cut their foes down to size and emerge victorious no matter the circumstance. It empowers the audience to fight their battles, both small and big; to overcome enemies, whether physically or psychologically or mentally, and ultimately to succeed in their journey.
The song encourages the warriors to continue fighting until the door of success is opened for them. If it is not, they are going to break it down and achieve their goal through sheer effort and brainpower. The singer's cause is righteous and just, and that makes the journey's destruction necessary. The lyrics also suggest that only the strong can survive, indicating that fighting the good fight requires strength and dedication that will determine success or failure. In essence, "Brave Warrior" is an inspirational song that motivates its listeners not to give up, and to keep fighting no matter the odds.
Line by Line Meaning
The battle has long begun
The fight and struggle started a long time ago and it is still ongoing.
See them coming one by one
The opponents are gradually approaching.
See them coming two by two
The opponents are gradually approaching in pairs.
But it seems like just a few
Although they are approaching, they seem like they are not many.
'Cause you are the mighty and wise
You possess great power and intelligence.
We're going to cut them right down to size
We will defeat and reduce their power.
Fight on, brave warrior
Continue to fight and persevere.
Until they open up the door for you
Continue until they allow you to achieve your goals.
'Cause if they don't
If they refuse to open the door,
We're going to bust it through
We will break down the barrier ourselves.
If they come physically
If the opponents come physically to fight,
We're going to take them psychologically
We will attack them mentally and emotionally.
If they come psychologically
If the opponents attack psychologically,
We're going to take them on mentally
We will defend ourselves by becoming mentally stronger.
If they come mentally
If the opponents use spiritual or psychological means,
We're going to take them on spiritually
We will use spiritual means to counter their attack.
Because your cause is righteous and just
Your fight is for a noble and justified reason.
By any means, destruction's a must
We will do whatever it takes to defeat the opponents.
Only the strong can survive
Strength is necessary to survive and succeed.
There is no question who will stay alive
The strong and determined will be the survivors.
Lyrics © TAMMI MUSIC LTD.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eddy Manijean
"Brave Warrior"
The battle has long begun
See them coming one by one
See them coming two by two
But it seems like just a few
'Cause you are the mighty and wise
We're going to cut them right down to size
Fight on, brave warrior
Until they open up the door for you
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't, we're going to bust it through
If they come physically
We're going to take them psychologically
If they come psychologically
We're going to take them on mentally
If they come mentally
We're going to take them on spiritually
Fight on, brave warrior
Until they open up the door for you
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't, we're going to bust it through
Because your cause is righteous and just
By any means, destruction's a must
Because you are the mighty and wise
We cut them right down to size
Only the strong can survive
There is no question who will stay alive
Fight on, brave warrior
Until they open up the door for you
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't, we're going to bust it through
Eddy Manijean
"Brave Warrior"
The battle has long begun
See them coming one by one
See them coming two by two
But it seems like just a few
'Cause you are the mighty and wise
We're going to cut them right down to size
Fight on, brave warrior
Until they open up the door for you
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't, we're going to bust it through
If they come physically
We're going to take them psychologically
If they come psychologically
We're going to take them on mentally
If they come mentally
We're going to take them on spiritually
Fight on, brave warrior
Until they open up the door for you
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't, we're going to bust it through
Because your cause is righteous and just
By any means, destruction's a must
Because you are the mighty and wise
We cut them right down to size
Only the strong can survive
There is no question who will stay alive
Fight on, brave warrior
Until they open up the door for you
Fight on, brave warrior
'Cause if they don't, we're going to bust it through
Remmy Kangwa
Brave Warrior was my first introduction to reggae and jimmy cliff.....wonderful album with songs such as Action Speaks Louder than Words, Bandwagon, Every Tub, My people, Sitting in Limbo. Great album
Carol Wellwood
I have loved & been inspired by this song for many years. Gave me the courage to survive Thatcher's "UK plc"!
Marcio Victor
PEDRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA DE 10, SEM MEDO.. hsuahsua! boa deejay! hehe
Eddy Manijean
« Brave Warrior » La bataille a commencé depuis longtemps Voyez-les venir un par un Voyez-les venir deux par deux Mais il semble que ce ne soit que quelques-uns 'Parce que vous êtes le puissant et le sage Nous allons les réduire à la taille Combattez, guerrier courageux Jusqu’à ce qu’ils vous ouvrent la porte Combattez, brave guerrier Parce que s’ils ne le font pas, nous allons le briser s’ils viennent physiquement Nous allons les prendre psychologiquement S’ils viennent psychologiquement Nous allons les prendre mentalement S’ils viennent mentalement Nous allons les emmener spirituellement Combattez, guerrier courageux jusqu’à ce qu’ils vous ouvrent la porte Combattez, brave guerrier 'Parce que s’ils ne le font pas, nous allons le briser Parce que votre cause est juste et juste Par tous les moyens, la destruction est un must Parce que vous êtes les puissants et les sages Nous les coupons jusqu’à la taille Seuls les forts peuvent survivre Il n’y a aucun doute sur qui restera en vie Combattez, guerrier courageux jusqu’à ce qu’ils vous ouvrent la porte Combattez, guerrier courageux Parce que s’ils ne le font pas, nous allons le faire passer
Michael Lawson
I love Jimmmy Cliff so much
Ahaz Mbwilo
Jimmy Cliff is the best in educative music
Ivonete Lima
Love Love Jimmy Cliff ❤
Ruffer
amazing !
John Nelson
wonderful