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.
LOVE AGAIN
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love, love again sisterwoman
Love, love again little ones
I know you might think it's outdated,
But it never can be duplicated
Many times seems complicated,
But it never can be duplicated
Sing it out and it's music,
Love, love again brotherman
Say love, love again sisterwoman
Say, say, love, love again little ones
As pure as it came through the ages,
Given to man in its stages
For the unity of humanity,
In a this time of vanity
Say it our and it's miracle,
Feel so sweet you got to repeat
Love, love again brotherman
Love, love again little ones
So now that we see what I'm saying!
And now that you know that it's true
And now that the action's been taken
And all the walls have been shaken, shaken down
Say love, love again brotherman
Love, love again sisterwoman
Love, love again little ones
Say it confidently, passionately, universally
Love, love again brotherman
Love, love again sisterwoman
Love, love again little ones
Chant it out now!
Love, love, again
Love, love, again
Jimmy Cliff's "Love Again" is a song that powerfully conveys the timeless nature of love. The song encourages listeners to rediscover love in their lives, regardless of their age or experience. Jimmy Cliff starts by repeating the title of the song, "love again," three times in a row to emphasize the importance of rediscovering this essential aspect of life. He then addresses people of all ages and reminds them that, despite the complexities of life, love remains uncomplicated and never loses its power to inspire.
The lyrics also contemplate the transformative effects of love on humanity, particularly in a time of social division and vanity. The phrase "given to man in its stages" implies that love must be cultivated and nurtured, rather than simply received. Jimmy Cliff reminds us that, through love, people can unite and dismantle the walls that divide them. Finally, the song concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to confidently and passionately chant the phrase "love again" as a universal reminder of love's power to heal and inspire.
Overall, "Love Again" is an inspiring song that encourages people to embrace love in all its forms, no matter how old or jaded they may feel.
Line by Line Meaning
Love, love again brotherman
Let us show love and compassion to our fellow brothers.
Love, love again sisterwoman
Let us show love and compassion to our fellow sisters.
Love, love again little ones
Let us teach our children to love and show compassion for others.
I know you might think it's outdated,
Love is often considered old-fashioned and outdated.
But it never can be duplicated
Love is unique and cannot be replicated.
Many times seems complicated,
Love can sometimes be complex and difficult to navigate.
But it never can be duplicated
Love is one-of-a-kind and cannot be copied.
Sing it out and it's music,
Love can be likened to music, with a sweet and harmonious sound.
Sound so sweet you got to repeat
Love is so beautiful and enjoyable that it should be repeated.
As pure as it came through the ages,
Love has remained pure and untainted throughout history.
Given to man in its stages
Love has been present in human society since its beginning, evolving in its different stages.
For the unity of humanity,
Love exists to bring unity and harmony among all people.
In a this time of vanity
At a time when many people are focused on themselves and their own desires.
Say it our and it's miracle,
When we speak about love, it can create something miraculous.
Feel so sweet you got to repeat
Love is so enjoyable and fulfilling that it should be expressed again and again.
So now that we see what I'm saying!
Now that we understand the importance of love and compassion.
And now that you know that it's true
After realizing the truth about the beauty of love.
And now that the action's been taken
After taking steps to show love and compassion for others.
And all the walls have been shaken, shaken down
After breaking down barriers that separate and prevent people from loving one another.
Say love, love again brotherman
Express love and compassion to our fellow brothers again and again.
Say love, love again sisterwoman
Express love and compassion to our fellow sisters again and again.
Say, say, love, love again little ones
Teach our children to show love and compassion to others over and over.
Chant it out now!
Loudly and confidently express our love for others.
Love, love, again
Repeatedly express love and compassion towards others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, TAMMI MUSIC LTD.
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF, PHIL RAMOCON
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