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.
I Got A Feeling
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna use what I use all I got
To get what I need, yeah
Look, I was born in a little old shack
Didn't have enough to eat
Not enough clothes on my back
Lord knows I kept the faith a heart full of woe
Use what I got to get what I need
I'm gonna use what I use all I got
To get what I need, yeah
The rich is content while the poor do without
If you ask for some herb
They don't know what you're talking about
All say they answer as if they're on the wind
It changes sometimes that why I'm afraid
I've gotta use what I got to get what I need
I'm gonna use what I use all I got
To get what I need, yeah
The road of life is mighty steep
When you're broke, busted and disgusted
For you ain't got nowhere to sleep
I'm gonna find me a woman to stand by my side
'Cause I'm so tired of running
Can't find no place to hide
I'm gonna use what I got to get what I need
I'm gonna use what I use all I got
To get what I need, yeah (Use what I got)
You know that I got to (Use what I got)
Said I've got to (Use what I got)
You gotta use it (Use what I got)
Use it all up now (Use what I got)
Yes I have (Use what I got)
I've got to, got to (Use what I got)
Said I got to (Use what I got)
Jimmy Cliff's Use What I Got is a song that captures the essence of the struggles of life and the determination to overcome them. In the lyrics, the singer shares the story of his humble beginnings, born in a small shack with limited resources; he did not have enough to eat or wear. However, despite the challenges, he remained faithful and determined to succeed. The song is about utilizing what you have to get what you need and overcoming life's obstacles through hard work and perseverance.
The line "The rich is content while the poor do without" illustrates the economic inequality and class divisions in society. The song acknowledges that there is a gap between the rich and poor, and it is the poor who bear the burden of deprivation. The singer laments that even when one asks for help, it is often met with ignorance or indifference. The line "For you ain't got nowhere to sleep" highlights the challenges that those faced with poverty and homelessness sometimes experience.
Ultimately, the song is about hope and resilience. In the face of hardship, Jimmy Cliff urges listeners to use all that they have to get ahead, to persevere, and to remain determined always to overcome the obstacles and challenges that life throws their way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna use what I got to get what I need
I will utilize my skills, resources, and abilities to acquire what I require.
I'm gonna use what I use all I got
To get what I need, yeah
I will make use of everything in my possession to meet my necessities.
Look, I was born in a little old shack
Didn't have enough to eat
Not enough clothes on my back
Lord knows I kept the faith a heart full of woe
Now they're trying to get me at the end of my road
Although I was born in poverty, endured hunger and insufficient clothing, I persevered with faith. However, now, I feel like I am being pushed to my limits.
The rich is content while the poor do without
If you ask for some herb
They don't know what you're talking about
All say they answer as if they're on the wind
It changes sometimes that why I'm afraid
The well-to-do are satisfied, while the indigent continue to suffer. When seeking assistance, people sometimes act like they are trying to help but in reality, it is unreliable and inconsistent, which makes me apprehensive.
The road of life is mighty steep
When you're broke, busted and disgusted
For you ain't got nowhere to sleep
I'm gonna find me a woman to stand by my side
'Cause I'm so tired of running
Can't find no place to hide
It is hard to navigate through life when you are financially bankrupt and dejected with nowhere to turn. I will find a life partner to support me as I am exhausted from running and cannot seem to evade my problems.
I'm gonna use what I got to get what I need
I'm gonna use what I use all I got
To get what I need, yeah (Use what I got)
I am determined to use whatever I have at my disposal to acquire what I necessitate.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMMY HOLIDAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Iwe Okeoghene Blessing
on No. 1 Rip-Off Man
Chorus
One more, one more, one more, one more
Verse
I got one more song I must sing
Ting-aline, freedom ring
I got one more song I must sing
A simple song, so sing along
Repeat chorus
I got one more story to tell
Mystery, my story
I got one more story to tell
True story, my glory
Repeat chorus
I got one more arrow in my bow
As I let it go, just watch my flow
I got one more arrow in my bow
To the target, and it's a hit
Repeat chorus
Bridge
Hey baby don't you go away
I want you to listen
What I have to say
It's not over, till it's over
I'm a natural lover
Hey mister, get out of my way
This is not no time to play
Hey mister get out of my way
I got to live for another day, All we got
Chorus
One more(life to live)
One more(love to give)
One more(cliff to climb)
One more(it's my time)
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I can't run, till the deal is done
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I won't run, till the deal is done
Repeat chorus
I got one more shot at the prize
So don't be surprised, open your eyes
I got one more shot at the goal
Straight from my soul
And I'm in control
Repeat chorus till fade
Iwe Okeoghene Blessing
on No. 1 Rip-Off Man
Rip off man
Edwin Nyirenda
on Brother
Brother - Jimmy cliff
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Do you believe what your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – brother
Oh brother
Joseph and his brothers – left Canaan
They saw the little brother – in Egypt
They both had the same cause and the same purpose
They come about the same hurt that they got back the most
Do you understand me – my brother
Oh brother
Brother (X4)
Let us help the fallen – sister
She will love to call you – mister
Do you see the need for unity
To bring about respect and dignity
Don’t you understand me – my brother
Brother
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Is it the things that your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – my brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother now hey hey yeah oh yeah hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
Are you my brother now hey hey hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
You don’t wanna understand me now oh brother
Oh brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother