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.
Fundamental Reggae
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you like sound
Some people like rhythm
Well just stick around
This is the music
For all who love beat
Soup in their nature
And move every feet
This is fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Oh, take it with ya'all the way
It's got some calypso
Just like in rock afro
Classical notion
To steal your emotion
So get around children
Tell mommy and poppy
You found a solution
To make everyone happy
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Oh, take it with ya'all the way
Take it a
This is fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Oh, take it with ya'all the way
I know you love music
I know you like sound
Some people like rhythm
Well just stick around
This is the music
For all who love beat
It's got some calypso
Just like in rock afro
This is fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Oh, take it with ya'all the way
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Oh, take it with ya'all the way
Children, fundamental reggae
The lyrics to Jimmy Cliff's "Fundamental Reggae" celebrate the power of music to bring people together and lift their spirits. The song speaks directly to those who love music and sound, urging them to stick around and enjoy the beat. The reggae rhythm is described as "fundamental," suggesting that it is essential and foundational to the genre. The song also incorporates elements of calypso and rock, further emphasizing the diversity and richness of the musical tradition.
Throughout the song, Cliff encourages children to share their love of music with their parents, offering a solution to make everyone happy. The music is portrayed as a unifying force that can bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. The lyrics suggest that music has the power to steal emotions and provide a sense of joy and fulfilment.
Overall, "Fundamental Reggae" is a joyful celebration of the power of music. It highlights the importance of rhythm, beat, and sound in creating a sense of community and bringing people together.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you love music
I am aware of your fondness for music
I know you like sound
I understand your love for sound
Some people like rhythm
There are people who enjoy rhythm
Well just stick around
Stay here a while
This is the music
What you are hearing is music
For all who love beat
This music is for those who love to dance
Soup in their nature
It comes naturally to them
And move every feet
They cannot help but move their feet to the beat
It's got some calypso
This music incorporates elements of calypso
Just like in rock afro
Similar to the rhythms found in rock and Afrobeat music
Classical notion
The music also has elements of classical music
To steal your emotion
It has the ability to evoke strong emotions
So get around children
Addressing young people
Tell mommy and poppy
Inform your parents
You found a solution
You have discovered something
To make everyone happy
That will bring joy to everyone
Children, fundamental reggae
Young people, this is what we call fundamental reggae
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eddymanijean6794
I know you love music
I know you like sound
Some people like rhythm
Well just stick around
This is the music
For all who love beat
Soup in their nature
And move every feet.
This is: fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Oh take it with ya'all the way
It's got some calypso
Just like in rock afro
Classical notion
To steal your emotion
So get around children
Tell mommy and poppy
You found a solution
To make everyone happy
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Oh take it with ya'all the way
Take it-a
This is: fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Oh take it with ya'all the way
I know you love music
I know you like sound
Some people like rhythm
Well just stick around
This is the music
For all who love beat
It's got some calypso
Just like in rock afro
This is: fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
Fundamental reggae
@dieteroetzel8071
when I was young!! I still have this LP!with almost 65 years of age Reggae still keeps my hips swinging! :-)
@nicolastumba2469
The first time we heard this word "REGGAE" in Africa ,it was JIMMY.
@stanleystamiri6965
When I heard this song at my young age in the 70's I still didn't' even know anything about reggae then but I liked it so much to the extend that my parents called it my song.
@samuelekanem1654
Wow !
The memory of my days in Hope Waddell remains indelible. Lawrence Ime Okon where are you ?
@nelsonmkisi6069
Oh.sweet.reggae.I.rember.to.me.I.heard.this.song.in.1979
@lawrencenjawe1935
UNLIMITED (ALBUM) was my introduction to reggae in early 70s like everyone in Africa.
@skyemasterson1111
East Central State, Nigeria. The '70s.
@dinahammah7648
Give your music to us Jimmy Cliff, your fans
@miclexis
Unlimited was my introduction to island music......unforgetable
@justinankuwa9390
❤💃love ya JC!!!