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.
Higher & Higher
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Than I've ever been lifted before
Your love is liftin' me higher
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it up, quench my desire
And I'll be at your side forevermore
Disappointment was my closest friend
But you came, he soon departed
And he never showed his face again
Ohh I'm so glad I finally found you
You're that one in a million man
When you wrap your lovin' arms around me
I can stand up and face the world again
Your love is liftin' me higher
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it up, quench my desire
And I'll be at your side forevermore
Oh your love is liftin' me higher
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it up, quench my desire
And I'll be at your side forevermore
Your love is liftin' me higher
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it up, quench my desire
And I'll be at your side forevermore
Jimmy Cliff's "Higher & Higher" is a love song that celebrates the transformative power of love. The first verse of the song declares that the singer's lover is raising him up to heights he's never been to before. The metaphor of being lifted higher is a representation of the emotional and spiritual elevation that love can bring to one's life. The singer uses imagery to describe how his love is being quenched by his partner, their love is fueling his passion and desires. He then pledges his devotion to his partner, promising to stay by their side forever.
The second verse shares the story of the singer's transformation due to the power of his partner's love. Initially, he faced disappointment and felt let down by life. However, when his partner entered his life, this disappointment soon faded away. The singer is grateful that he found his partner and declares them to be a one in a million person who has helped him face the world.
The chorus repeats the metaphor that his love is raising him higher than he's ever been and so he wants his partner to continue fueling his passion, desires and from there he pledges his love and devotion to be with them forevermore.
In summary, "Higher & Higher" is a beautiful love song that shows how love can heal and transform a person's life. By using powerful imagery, the song highlights the personal growth that can arise from a deep, loving relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Your love is liftin' me higher
Your love makes me feel a sense of elevation and joy
Than I've ever been lifted before
Your love is better than anything I've experienced
So keep it up, quench my desire
Please keep loving me, satisfy my yearning for your affection
And I'll be at your side forevermore
I will be with you, always and forever
Now once, I was downhearted
In the past, I felt sad and demoralized
Disappointment was my closest friend
I was constantly let down and felt hopeless
But you came, he soon departed
But since I met you, my sadness has disappeared
And he never showed his face again
I am no longer plagued by that feeling of disappointment
Ohh I'm so glad I finally found you
I am overjoyed to have found you
You're that one in a million man
You are extremely special and rare
When you wrap your lovin' arms around me
When you embrace me with your affection
I can stand up and face the world again
I feel confident and capable of anything when I have your love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carl Smith, Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Magier Family Entertainer Pierre Mardue
(Your Love Keeps Liftin' Me) Higher and Higher
Jimmy Cliff
Your love, lifting me higher
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it it up
Quench my desire
And I'll be at your side, forever more
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (keeps on lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (keeps on lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Now once, I was down hearted
Disappointment, was my closest friend
But then you, came and it soon departed
And you know he never
Showed his face again
That's why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (keeps on lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (keeps on lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I'm so glad, I've finally found you
That someone, in a million girls
And I whip, my loving arms around you
I can stand up, and face the world
That's why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keeps on lifting (keeps on lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Everyday your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (keeps on lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Lift me up, woman (your love keeps lifting me)
Keeps on lifting (keeps on lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (keeps on lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
(fade out)
Magier Family Entertainer Pierre Mardue
(Deine Liebe hält mich an) Höher und höher
Jimmy Cliff
________________________________________
Deine Liebe, mich höher zu heben
Dann bin ich schon mal aufgehoben worden
Also mach weiter so
Lösche meinen Wunsch
Und ich werde für immer an deiner Seite sein
Du kennst deine Liebe (deine Liebe hebt mich weiter an)
Heben Sie weiter an (hebt mich weiter an)
Höher (hebt mich)
Höher und höher (höher)
Ich sagte deine Liebe (deine Liebe hebt mich weiter an)
Keep on (hebt mich weiter an)
Mich anheben (mich anheben)
Höher und höher (höher)
Jetzt war ich einmal niedergeschlagen
Enttäuschung war mein engster Freund
Aber dann kamst du und es ging bald weg
Und du weißt, dass er niemals kommt
Zeigte sein Gesicht wieder
Deshalb deine Liebe (deine Liebe hebt mich ständig an)
Heben Sie weiter an (hebt mich weiter an)
Höher (hebt mich)
Höher und höher (höher)
Ich sagte deine Liebe (deine Liebe hebt mich weiter an)
Keep on (hebt mich weiter an)
Mich anheben (mich anheben)
Höher und höher (höher)
Ich bin so froh, dass ich dich endlich gefunden habe
Dieser Jemand in einer Million Mädchen
Und ich peitsche, meine liebenden Arme um dich herum
Ich kann aufstehen und der Welt gegenüberstehen
Deshalb deine Liebe (deine Liebe hebt mich ständig an)
Hält weiter an (hebt mich weiter an)
Höher (hebt mich)
Höher und höher (höher)
Jeden Tag deine Liebe (deine Liebe hebt mich immer wieder an)
Keep on (hebt mich weiter an)
Mich anheben (mich anheben)
Höher und höher (höher)
Heb mich hoch, Frau (deine Liebe hebt mich immer wieder an)
Hält weiter an (hebt mich weiter an)
Höher (hebt mich)
Höher und höher (höher)
Ich sagte deine Liebe (deine Liebe hebt mich weiter an)
Keep on (hebt mich weiter an)
Mich anheben (mich anheben)
Höher und höher (höher)
Kim Kochel
I love this cover as much as Jackie Wilsons version. Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦 😀
Jason G23
As fan of basketball and Kevin Bacon I remember buying the cassette tape of Jimmy's single after watching the Air up there . Love this version ..spiritually it truly lifts me up ...higher n higher...
Jason G23
So did I . So does lift me up too. Right from my soul 🙏🏽
Philip Tupee Soclo
Very inspirational! keep on lifting your love for Liberia higher and higher. Thanks Jimmy, for this beautiful song.
Yaneissi Atencia Piñerez
a beautiful song performed by Jimmy...love it!
Kadbros
A little Jamaican touch always makes a song a little better
Deni do nascimento
Amo esta musica!
Eddie Eighties
Excelente tema de Jimmy. Uno de los mejores de su extensa carrera.
Magier Family Entertainer Pierre Mardue
(Your Love Keeps Liftin' Me) Higher and Higher
Jimmy Cliff
Your love, lifting me higher
Than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it it up
Quench my desire
And I'll be at your side, forever more
You know your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (keeps on lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (keeps on lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Now once, I was down hearted
Disappointment, was my closest friend
But then you, came and it soon departed
And you know he never
Showed his face again
That's why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on lifting (keeps on lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (keeps on lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I'm so glad, I've finally found you
That someone, in a million girls
And I whip, my loving arms around you
I can stand up, and face the world
That's why your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keeps on lifting (keeps on lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Everyday your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (keeps on lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
Lift me up, woman (your love keeps lifting me)
Keeps on lifting (keeps on lifting me)
Higher (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
I said your love (your love keeps lifting me)
Keep on (keeps on lifting me)
Lifting me (lifting me)
Higher and higher (higher)
(fade out)
Renee Mahuru
I've listened to this 7 times now........hahahaha, makes me want to bask on a tropical island drinking cocktails and getting stoneddddd