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.
Let's Go Dancin'
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
Ooh, la, la, la
Let's go dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
Let's go dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la (Come on)
Reggae dancin'
Went down to the park
Everything was dark, oh, yeah, yeah, all of a sudden
On came the lights
And everything was feeling right
The people started dancing
They call me over to join in
They said, “JT, don't ya feel good, man?”
Come on and join the reggae jam, I heard them singin'
Ooh, la, la, la (Hey, hey, day)
Let's go dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la
Let's go dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin' (It's a reggae get down)
Ooh, la, la, la (Ooh)
Let's go dancin' (Get your dancin' shoes, get your dancin' shoes)
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la (Woo)
Let's go dancin' (Get your dancin' shoes, get your dancin' shoes)
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
I wanna get to know you
Come on let's reggae down, oh, yeah, yeah
Get better acquainted
So that everything will be fine, hey, lady, listen
Hey, baby, what's your name?
Is it a Misses or is it miss, eh
If you're by yourself I'd like to take you for a ride
We could check the scene and reggae down, and we'll be singin'
Ooh, la, la, la (Woo)
Let's go dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la, (Come on let's go)
Reggae dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la
Let's go dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la (Ooh)
Let's go dancin' (Get your dancin' shoes, get your dancin' shoes)
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la (Ooh)
Let's go dancin' (Go get your dancin' shoes, get your dancin' shoes)
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
Oh, it's a special [Occasion]
Such a happy [Occasion]
It's a special [Occasion]
Such a happy [Occasion]
(You wanna come dancin') Ooh, la, la, la [Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah]
Let's go dancin' (Reggae dancin')
Ooh, la, la, la [Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah]
Reggae dancin' (Do you wanna come dancin')
Ooh, la, la, la [Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah]
Let's go dancin' (Reggae dancin')
Ooh, la, la, la [Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah]
Reggae dancin'
Now we on the floor
Gimme, gimme some more, oh, yeah, yeah
The world is yours for dancin', yeah
The music makes for a little romancin'
I heard her say, “Get, get your dancin' shoes”
“It's anyone's party”
Come on and get your dancin' shoe, yeah
If you wanna join, join the jam, yeah
Just let that music take you, can't you hear ‘em singing
Ooh, la, la, la
Let's go dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la (We are reggae)
Reggae dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la
Let's go dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la (La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, yeah)
Reggae dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la (Ooh)
Let's go dancin' (Get your dancin' shoes, get your dancin' shoes)
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
Ooh, la, la, la (Woo)
Let's go dancin' (Go get your dancin' shoes, get your dancin' shoes)
Ooh, la, la, la
Reggae dancin'
It's a special [Occasion]
Such a happy [Occasion]
It's a special [Occasion]
Such a happy [Occasion]
I wanna go dancin' with you
I wanna go dancin' with you, baby
I wanna go dancin' with you
I wanna go dancin' with you, baby
Let's go dance, dancin'
Let's go dance, ooh, hoo
Let's go dance, dancin'
Let's go dance
It's a special [Occasion]
Such a happy [Occasion]
It's a special [Occasion]
Such a happy [Occasion]
The lyrics to Jimmy Cliff's song "Let's Go Dancin'" describe an exciting night where the singer goes to a park and joins in on a reggae dance party. The park is initially dark, but then the lights come on and the music starts to play, and people begin to dance. The singer is called over to join in and is told that he should feel good and join the reggae jam. The song then turns into a conversation between the singer and a woman he wants to get to know better. He asks her what her name is and if she wants to go on a ride with him, and then they go and join everyone else on the dance floor. The lyrics throughout the song suggest a carefree, enjoyable night filled with music and dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh
Expressing excitement and anticipation for what is to come
Yeah
Agreeing with the preceding statement and showing enthusiasm for it
Ooh, la, la, la
Exclaiming delight and pleasure in the moment
Let's go dancin'
Suggesting to someone that they should join in the dancing and have fun
Reggae dancin'
Referring to the type of music and style of dancing that will be happening
Went down to the park
Describing the location of the event
Everything was dark, oh, yeah, yeah, all of a sudden
Setting the scene and suggesting that a sudden change is about to happen
On came the lights
Describing the moment when the lights turned on
And everything was feeling right
Expressing the positive mood and atmosphere
The people started dancing
Observing the behavior of others at the event
They call me over to join in
Inviting the singer to participate in the dancing
They said, “JT, don't ya feel good, man?”
Asking the artist if they are enjoying themselves
Come on and join the reggae jam, I heard them singin'
Encouraging the singer to join in the fun and enjoy the music
Ooh, la, la, la (Hey, hey, day)
Continuing to express delight and excitement about the dancing
Get your dancin' shoes, get your dancin' shoes
Encouraging people to wear appropriate footwear for dancing
I wanna get to know you
Expressing interest in someone and wanting to get closer to them
Get better acquainted
Suggesting that the artist and the other person should spend more time together and get to know each other better
So that everything will be fine, hey, lady, listen
Implying that getting to know each other better will lead to a positive outcome
Hey, baby, what's your name?
Asking for the other person's name
If you're by yourself I'd like to take you for a ride
Offering to spend more time together with the other person
We could check the scene and reggae down, and we'll be singin'
Suggesting that they continue to dance and enjoy the music together
It's a special [Occasion]
Referring to the event as being special and unique
Such a happy [Occasion]
Highlighting the positive mood and happiness of the event
(You wanna come dancin') Ooh, la, la, la [Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah]
Continuing to encourage people to join in the dancing and have fun
Now we on the floor
Describing the location of the singer and other people dancing
Gimme, gimme some more, oh, yeah, yeah
Expressing the desire to continue dancing and enjoying the music
The world is yours for dancin', yeah
Suggesting that people can express themselves and have fun while dancing
The music makes for a little romancin'
Suggesting that dancing and music can create a romantic atmosphere
“Get, get your dancin' shoes”
Encouraging people to continue dancing and enjoying themselves
“It's anyone's party”
Suggesting that everyone is welcome to join in the fun
If you wanna join, join the jam, yeah
Encouraging people to join the dancing and participate in the fun
Just let that music take you, can't you hear ‘em singing
Suggesting that people should let the music guide their movements and enjoy the moment
Ooh, la, la, la (We are reggae)
Repeating the phrase to continue expressing delight and enthusiasm about the music and dancing
I wanna go dancin' with you
Expressing a desire to dance with someone in particular
Let's go dance, dancin'
Encouraging someone to dance with the singer and have fun together
Let's go dance, ooh, hoo
Repeating the phrase to encourage dancing and enjoyment of the moment
Let's go dance
Final encouragement to participate in the dancing and enjoy the music
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: AMIR BAYYAN, CLAYDES SMITH, CLIFFORD JR. ADAMS, CURTIS WILLIAMS, EUMIR DEODATO, GEORGE BROWN, JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES WARREN TAYLOR, MICHAEL RAY, ROBERT BELL, ROBERT MICKENS, ROBERT SPIKE MICKENS, RONALD BELL, RONALD NATHAN BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@videorocketzmillar007milla5
🎉🎉🎉🎉 Still listening in 2024. Who wit mee...😅😅😅😅❤❤❤❤
@user-qh7fn9yw1u
I’m taking it back to my child hood . Loved these guys back in the day. . Kool and The Gang became my morning music today and already feel like a kid again.
@LEGREEKINGFORDTV.
Until 2090 I'll be coming back here
@tori24tvng
In 2023, the song still hits differently.
We love this song.
From Nigeria❤
@malena2467
Kool & The Gang will always make us dance forever.
@bennyrobles9194
Now imagine the 80s without these guys….. Couldn’t have been the 80s. A true iconic band.
@JakeWilliams283
I want to live in those times, I'm a white 32 year old English bloke, fed up with this complicated world, I just want to boogie on down in the street like this with whoever, no matter what color or creed, we are all brothers and sisters ✌
@bigoohwelshbear
Me and you both!Love this comment!
@245thegreat
Rest in peace the founder of the group Ronald Bell. Their music lives on! x
@josecarloscuritiba4386
James "JT" Taylor the voice and Ronald "Kool"Bell the soul of Kool &The Gang