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.
Guns Of Brixton
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, Guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin'
At the end of the harder they come
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh-the guns of Brixton
When they kick out your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
And even shoot us
But oh, the guns of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game was survivin'
As in heaven as in hell
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you'll have to answer to
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, the guns of Brixton
Oh, the guns of Brixton
The lyrics to Jimmy Cliff's "Guns of Brixton" describe the struggle of a man named Ivan who is trying to survive in the tough neighborhood of Brixton, where he was born under the sun. The first verse is a warning to those who might have to face the harsh reality of a break-in or confrontation, asking them to consider how they will respond when faced with danger. The second verse is a commentary on the lure of money and a comfortable life and how inevitably, everyone will have to answer for their actions, in either heaven or hell.
The chorus speaks of the power of the Guns of Brixton, which represents the force of authority and the justice system that can crush and bruise those who dare to defy them. The guns represent the ultimate weapon and symbol of oppression, wielded by those in power to maintain control and order, often at the expense of the poor and marginalized.
The song is a powerful commentary on social and political issues, particularly the issues of poverty, inequality, and police brutality. Through Ivan's story, Jimmy Cliff is able to highlight the struggles of those who are born into poverty and must fight to survive against systemic forces that are often stacked against them. It is a call to action and a reminder of the power of resistance and the ongoing fight for justice and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
When they kick out your front door
If the authorities barge into your house uninvited
How you gonna come?
What will be your response?
With your hands on your head
Submitting peacefully and hoping for mercy
Or on the trigger of your gun
Fighting back with violence
When the law break in
When the authorities break the law themselves
How you gonna go?
What will be your fate?
Shot down on the pavement
Killed by the police on the street
Or waiting in death row
Arrested and awaiting execution
You can crush us
You may oppress us
You can bruise us
You may harm us physically and mentally
But you'll have to answer to
You will be held accountable by
Oh, Guns of Brixton
The resistance and the community that stands against injustice
The money feels good
The benefits of serving the oppressive system are tempting
And your life you like it well
You are satisfied with the status quo at the cost of others' suffering
But surely your time will come
You will face the consequences of your actions
As in heaven, as in hell
Regardless of your belief in an afterlife, your morals will be judged
You see, he feels like Ivan
The artist of the song is compared to Ivan, a literary symbol of Russian valor
Born under the Brixton sun
Growing up in a poor and oppressed neighborhood
His game is called survivin'
His only goal is to stay alive in the face of all the obstacles
At the end of the harder they come
A reference to Jimmy Cliff's movie The Harder They Come, which tells the story of a Jamaican man's struggle for survival
You know it means no mercy
The authorities will show no mercy or remorse
They caught him with a gun
The oppressive system framed him as a criminal
No need for the Black Maria
The transportation truck used to move prisoners is not necessary since he is already doomed
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
A farewell to the life and community he once knew
And even shoot us
They may even use lethal force
But oh, the guns of Brixton
The weapons of the resistance and the oppressed that fight for their rights
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul Gustave Simonon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Duncan
That's serious respect from the artist who's being idolised in the song, to humbly cover it.
Oeil De Serpent
Yes.
Megan Warren
Amazing song by a amazing band covered by a amazing singer
heighwaysonthewing
really good version , big Clash fan, this guy has nailed it , Punk , Raster one spirit anger against injustice , it's a good bond .
Cutty Rut
My thought exactly mate? I never heard this version till now ? I'm 56 now got in to me punk about 10/11 and always loved my reggae and was pleased as punch when Marley brought out punky reggae party coz things needed to explained to different community's back then concerning what side of the political/ non political? And gotta say that the very big varsity majority are anti facist And me n my mate went to the london black lives matter march to the American embassy in Londonderry other week carrying our massive Millwall Anti Fascists banner . Only thing now is that we are on the few idiots of nazis that do go to the games but they are like dinosaurs? They are getting fewer n fewer n one day not to far ? All gone lol any one love n take care from me n Deptford punx mate cheers
Sincetick's
The Clash and Jimmy Cliff are interconnected in more ways i believe. They inspired one another mutually, The Clash covered his songs, or maybe Joe Strummer solo.
K C
Jimmy Cliff vastly underrated singer and songwriter. The Harder they come still an iconic film and soundtrack of its time.
Johnny A
underrated by who ? Jimmy cliff ,gets the love he deserves x
James Crewe
@Johnny A Correct Jimmy Cliff is a legend
William Johnson-Smith
It's not bad but not as good as the original version.