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.
Jimmy Jimmy
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 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
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
In this song, Jimmy Cliff addresses his fellow man, calling him “brother” in order to remind him of some fundamental values that may have been forgotten over time. He asks his listener to consider whether or not they truly recognize him, or if they are merely patronizing him. He also questions whether or not they truly believe what they have been taught, or if they are merely regurgitating what they have been fed by those in positions of power.
Cliff then goes on to reference the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers, reminding his listener of the importance of unity and shared purpose. He notes that Joseph and his brothers ultimately overcame their differences and personal pain by working together and remaining dedicated to a common goal. He encourages his listener to do the same, emphasizing the importance of coming together in order to bring about respect and dignity for all.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you patronize me – brother
Will you talk down to me or treat me like a child - brother?
Do you recognize me – brother
Do you acknowledge my existence - brother?
Do you believe what your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Do you blindly accept what authority figures tell you or do you critically think for yourself - brother?
Why you minimize me – brother oh brother
Why do you belittle or underestimate me - 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
Joseph and his brothers left their homeland and saw their younger brother in Egypt. They shared the same goal and suffering, and as a result, got the most rewarding outcome.
Do you understand me – my brother oh brother
Do you comprehend me - my brother?
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
Let us aid those in need - sister. They will appreciate the assistance - mister. Do you recognize the importance of coming together and treating others with honor and worth?
Don’t you understand me – my brother brother
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Don't you comprehend me - my brother? Will you talk down to me or treat me like a child- brother? Do you acknowledge my existence - 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
Is it blindly accepting what authority figures tell you or being influenced by religious teachings that make you belittle or underestimate me - my 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
Are you now my brother - hey hey? You don't want to comprehend me now - oh brother. Are you my brother, my brother, my brother?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Janaina Rodrigues
Tema do xará dele Jimmy (Kevin Richardson) da novela Um Refúgio para o Amor (2001) Jimmy era lindo com os cabelos grandes e lindos e uma barba linda ele era lindo na novela. Viva Jimmy Cliff , Viva Kevin Richardson.
Ras G
De lo mejor para el alma bendiciones 🙏🙏🌹🙏
Ruben Dario
We love U Jimmy Clyff. You are the man
Bastiano Ronaldo
Love This Song!
mapemphero manda
"They gave me plenty love that was so hard to resist how could I say no,no,no to such hospitality "
Esteve G.T
Too good vibe !!! Africa vibe one !
Josephine Olowu
Oh Jimmy i had the laughter of my life as i heard this song today, yes you are loved by Africans, for me for your smile, being your self and the love you have for your people!
Jim JimmyJames
Heard this song today and i had to come here🏃🏾🏃🏾 legend
Jay muri
awsome song!!
Paulus
Hell of a Song! Ain't that something really Good!??!