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 Your Yeah Be Yeah
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you don't mean it
You keep telling me no
And try to lean it
You're giving me buts and maybe
You know this will drive me crazy
Why can't you tell it like it is?
And let your yeah be yeah
And your no be no, now
Let your yeah be yeah
And your no be no, now
Because I'm on my guard
And I'm watching you from head to toe
So that let your yeah be yeah
And your no be no
You wear a plastic smile
I know by your eyes
You speak with indefinite style
You're telling me lies
You've got to face reality
What is wrong with you and me?
Why can't you free your honesty?
And let your yeah be yeah
And your no be no, now
Let your yeah be yeah
And your no be no, now
Because I'm on my guard
And I'm watching you from head to toe
So you better let your yeah be yeah
And your no be no
You keep telling me yes
But you don't mean it
You keep telling me no
And try to lean it
You're giving me buts and maybe
You know this will drive me crazy
Why can't you tell it like it is?
You better let your yeah be yeah
And your no be no, now
Let your yeah be yeah
And your no be no, now
Because I'm on my guard
And I'm watching you from head to toe
"Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" by Jimmy Cliff is a song that encourages honesty and straightforwardness in communication. The song speaks to the frustration of constantly receiving mixed signals and uncertain responses from someone, whether it be a friend, family member, or romantic partner. The lyrics repeat the refrain, urging the listener to simply tell the truth and let their "yeah be yeah" and their "no be no." The song also describes the weariness of constantly having to be on guard and scrutinize someone's words and actions to try to discern their true feelings.
One interpretation of the song is that it's a plea for authenticity and honesty in relationships. The frustration and emotional strain described in the lyrics suggest that the singer feels like they're constantly being misled or receive half-truths from someone close to them. By encouraging the other person to "let your yeah be yeah" and stop with the "buts and maybes," the singer hopes for a more transparent and straightforward relationship.
The song's overall message is that truthful communication is essential in any type of relationship. When someone isn't honest with their words or actions, it causes confusion, distrust, and emotional weariness. The song, therefore, is a plea for people to be genuine, vulnerable, and honest with their feelings so that they can have more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
You keep telling me yes
You say yes, but you don't actually mean it.
But you don't mean it
You're not being honest with me.
You keep telling me no
You say no, but try to make me believe otherwise.
And try to lean it
You're trying to convince me even though you don't believe it yourself.
You're giving me buts and maybe
You're not giving me a clear answer, you're being ambiguous.
You know this will drive me crazy
Your indecisiveness is frustrating me.
Why can't you tell it like it is?
I want you to be honest with me, instead of dancing around the truth.
And let your yeah be yeah
Speak truthfully, say yes when you mean yes.
And your no be no, now
Say no when you mean no.
Because I'm on my guard
I'm wary of your dishonesty.
And I'm watching you from head to toe
I'm observing your behavior to protect myself.
So that let your yeah be yeah
Be truthful so I can trust you.
You wear a plastic smile
You're pretending to be happy when you're not.
I know by your eyes
I can see through your facade.
You speak with indefinite style
You're not being clear with me.
You're telling me lies
You're not being truthful with me.
You've got to face reality
You need to confront the truth.
What is wrong with you and me?
We need to be honest with each other to fix our problems.
Why can't you free your honesty?
Openly share the truth with me.
You better let your yeah be yeah
Speak truthfully so we can resolve our issues.
You better let your no be no, now
Don't try to manipulate the situation, be honest.
Because I'm on my guard
I'm aware of your possible dishonesty.
And I'm watching you from head to toe
I'm paying close attention to your behavior.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aondona Diwa
Jimmy Cliff, the legend that shaped the thoughts of many young people in the seventies before the Lord got us to a higher living. Even now you are refreshingly speaking to our redeemed souls. Your smile is simply disarming by its pristine innocence.
LongJohnLiver
My band just started covering this and I now love this song. How have I never heard of this guy? So good.
KASK-PRESTIGE MANDELA
Jimmy Cliff, I love so much your music. You're a Big Legend.
Elisabeth Mazeli
Jimmy Cliff, greatest reggae singer for me. Cruelly shot dead many years ago. Never forgotten. You live on in our hearts for ever ❤️
Ziggy Gong
Shot dead in the film, "The Harder They Come."
Steff Dickiebird
I have the vinyl..and featured in the Sunday Mass Gospel reading..loved this
Steve Blease
Never heared this version, but it still grooves along nicely.
daniel hannon
There’s other versions?
Joelias
Love it !!
jacksonwescott
Just saw him two days ago. Still has more energy than dudes a third of his age :P