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.
Give The People What They Want
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Food, clothing and shelter (what they want, what they want)
Reggae music (sweet reggae, sweet reggae)
Reggae music is sweeter everywhere (reggae music)
Give the people what they want (what they want, what they want)
Clean air and no pollution (what they want, what they want)
Reggae music (sweet reggae, sweet reggae)
Some like it in the rubber dub style
Some like it in the rubber dub style
Some like it when the rhythm is wild
Some like it when the rhythm is wild
Some like it in the one drop style
Some like it in the one drop style
Some like it in the rebel man style
Some like it in the rebel man style
Give the people what they want (what they want, what they want)
Keep on rising justice (what they want, what they want)
Reggae music (sweet reggae, sweet reggae)
Reggae music is sweeter everywhere (reggae music)
Some like it in the rubber dub style
Some like it in the rubber dub style
Some like it when the rhythm is wild
Some like it when the rhythm is wild
Some like it in the one drop style
Some like it in the one drop style
Some like it in the rebel man style
Some like it in the rebel man style
Give the people what they want (what they want, what they want)
One love and one devotion (what they want, what they want)
And reggae music (sweet reggae, sweet reggae)
Reggae music is sweeter everywhere (reggae music)
There is no speech, no language
, where these words aren't necessary or appreciated. Jimmy Cliff's "Give The People What They Want" is a plea for basic human needs, awareness about environmental issues, and the universal love for reggae music. The chorus is simple and direct, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling the people's desires for food, clothing, shelter, clean air, and justice. These needs are universal, and no country or community can thrive without having them met. The people's love for reggae music is used as a symbol of the universal desire for peace, love, and joy. Reggae music is loved worldwide and has had a significant impact on many cultures.
The song's verses are repetitive, each one emphasizing a different type of reggae music. Rubber dub style, wild rhythm, one drop style, and rebel man style are all mentioned, showcasing the diversity within reggae music. This diversity highlights how reggae music can appeal to people with different tastes but in the end, the music unites them under one love and one devotion.
In essence, "Give The People What They Want" is a call to take care of the fundamental needs of the people and recognizing that music has the power to connect and unite people. It is a reminder that the simpler things in life are significant and that social justice is achievable if people come together and demand it.
Line by Line Meaning
Give the people what they want (what they want, what they want)
Provide the people with their basic needs and wants
Food, clothing and shelter (what they want, what they want)
Necessities of life required by the people
Reggae music (sweet reggae, sweet reggae)
Reggae music is an essential need for the people
Reggae music is sweeter everywhere (reggae music)
There is no place where reggae music is not popular
Clean air and no pollution (what they want, what they want)
The people desire a pollution-free environment
Some like it in the rubber dub style
Different people prefer different styles of reggae music
Some like it when the rhythm is wild
Some people enjoy reggae music with wild beats and rhythms
Some like it in the one drop style
Some people prefer listening to reggae music with a steady beat called one-drop
Some like it in the rebel man style
Some prefer listening to reggae music that promotes change and revolution
Keep on rising justice (what they want, what they want)
The people want justice to prevail and continue to do so
One love and one devotion (what they want, what they want)
People desire unity and togetherness
And reggae music (sweet reggae, sweet reggae)
Reggae music can bring about unity among people
Reggae music is sweeter everywhere (reggae music)
Reggae music is loved by people of all races and languages
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, TAMMI MUSIC LTD., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ReggaeOnVinyl
What is your favorite song on this album?
Tabla Rasa
"Son Of Man"
metomp
"Let's Turn The Tables"
Amizade Partidária
"My Philosophy"
coin paranormal activity
Give the people wat they want
Jean-Julien Collette
Shelter of Your Love (Cocktail Soundtrack)
Paul Sakala
My favorite album by Jimmy cliff. It has truly shaped my life. I was a youth in the 80s when I first listened to it. My life seemed baseless because of what I was going through but when the messages in the songs from this album caught me dip down my inner self, I discovered myself. Courage, confidence and strength was born in me. Big up Jimmy. Big up reggae ♥️ music.
Claudio C
Mucas que toca alma muita inspiração
Jean-Julien Collette
One of the lost albums of Jimmy, but maybe the best. The best backing band and it looks like a best of. Shelter of your love was featured in the movie Cocktail. Not available on Spotify maybe because Warner has the rights. A lost masterpiece. Incredible it never got the credit it deserves.
christopher malikane
Indeed, this is perhaps the best album from Jimmy...followed by I Am The Living, both suffered the same fate under Warner I think...a reissue of both could perhaps help?