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 see clearly now
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Bright (bright) bright (bright)
Bright sunshiny day
It's going to be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
The lyrics of "I Can See Clearly Now" by Jimmy Cliff convey a message of optimism and hope. The song is a celebration of life and the positive things that can occur once one's obstacles have been removed. The opening lines suggest that the rain has stopped and that the singer can therefore see clearly. The rain serves as a metaphor for obstacles that have been blocking the singer's vision. The line "I can see all obstacles in my way" implies that the singer can now see the challenges ahead of them, but is not deterred by them.
The next verse suggests that the singer has also overcome emotional pain. The previously "bad feelings" have disappeared and the singer sees a rainbow, a symbol of hope and positivity. The final verse repeats the opening verses and emphasizes the idea that the singer can now see clearly without any hindering obstacles. The repetition of the chorus, "It's gonna be a bright sunshiny day," reinforces the song's positive message of a bright future.
Overall, the lyrics of "I Can See Clearly Now" by Jimmy Cliff are straightforward and direct, but the message of the song is universal and powerful. The song is a reminder to stay positive and hopeful even in challenging times.
Line by Line Meaning
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
My vision is no longer obscured by rain and I have gained clarity in my life
I can see all obstacles in my way
I am now able to identify and overcome all the challenges that are preventing me from achieving my goals
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
The negative thoughts and emotions that were clouding my judgment and preventing me from seeing clearly have disappeared
It's gonna be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day
I am optimistic and excited for the future because everything seems to be going well
Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone
I have successfully overcome the pain and suffering that was holding me back from achieving my goals
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
I no longer have any negative emotions or feelings that are preventing me from seeing the good in life
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
All my hard work and patience has finally paid off and I am now able to see the positive outcomes of my efforts
Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Everything around me is beautiful and positive, all my problems have been resolved
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies
I am confident in my journey moving forward, because I am certain that everything is going to be okay
It's gonna be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day
I am optimistic and promising myself that the future is going to be good
Bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day
I am emphasizing how beautiful and positive the future is going to be
It's going to be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day
I am reaffirming my positive outlook on the future
It's gonna be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day
I am hopeful and optimistic that my life is going to be amazing from here on out
It's gonna be a bright (bright) Bright (bright) sunshiny day
I am expressing my positive outlook on the future with certainty
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny Nash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hoangfe5293
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Bri-ri-ri-ri', bright, (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day, yeah, eh
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day, yeah, na
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Bri-ri-ri-ri', bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny...
@beaubiden9293
Who’s listening to this masterpiece in 2024?
@ConfusedSeahorse-dm3rg
😊Donna
@sabrinah.8668
❤
@user-yt3bl1mh9f
Indonesia 😍
@user-zt8oh5yh3o
I am from Nepal 🇳🇵☺️ ❤❤
@beaubiden9293
@@user-zt8oh5yh3o They play this song when you get to the top of Mount Everest.
@ozlemaktas3316
Today ı ve been informed that ı m cancer free 😊İ wish everyone who has obstacles in their life, have bright and shinny days.. Live your life to the fullest and keep dreaming and laughing...
@anajm6825
Que bom! Seja feliz!
@SoupBone-bp1qk
Can't like this enough. So very happy for you!!
@AI-dc3zo
Thank God! Trust in the Lord Jesus.