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.
Music Maker
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kabhi Kabhi Stuti Woh Bichad Jaye Toh Ek Sapna Lagta Hai
Aise Me Koi Kaise Apne Aansuon Ko Bahene Se Roke
Aur Kaise Koi Sochle Everything's Gonna Be Okay
Kabhi Kabhi Toh Lage Zindagi Me Rahi Na Khushi Aur Na Maza
Kabhi Kabhi Toh Lage Har Din Mushkil Aur Har Pal Ek Saza
Aise Me Koi Kaise Muskuraaye, Kaise Has De Khush Hoke
Aur Kaise Koi Sochle Everything's Gonna Be Okay
Soch Zara Jaane Ja Tujuko Hume Kitna Chahte Hain
Rote Hum Bhi Agar Tere Aankhon Me Aansun Aate Hain
Gaan Toh Aata Nahi Hai Magar Fir Bhi Gaate Hain
Hey Stuti Maan Kabhi Kabhi Saare Jahan Me Andhera Hota Hai
Lekin Raat Ke Baad Hi Toh Savera Hota Hai
Kabhi Kabhi Stuti Zindagi Me Yun Hi Koi Apna Lagta Hai
Kabhi Kabhi Stuti Woh Bichad Jaye Toh Ek Sapna Lagta Hai
Hey Stuti Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Tu Zara
Nahi Toh Bas Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Muskura
Tu Khush Hai Toh Lage Ke Jahan Mein Chaiyi Hai Khushi
Sooraj Nikle Baadalon Se Aur Baaten Zindagi
Sun Toh Zara Madhosh Hawa Tujhse Kehne Lagi
Ki Stuti Woh Jo Bichadte Hain ek Na ek Din Fir Mil Jate
Yeh Stuti Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Phool Fir Khil Jate Hain
The lyrics of Jimmy Cliff's "Music Maker" song talk about the ups and downs of life and the challenges we all face in navigating our way through them. The song's stanzas present different scenarios where sometimes we feel like we have someone by our side, and other times, we feel we are all alone. In these situations, the song asks how we can stop ourselves from crying and make ourselves smile or feel okay again.
The chorus of the song, Eh Stuti, is a Hindustani (Indian) phrase that means "Hey, Praise" or "Hey, Worship." It repeats the earlier-stated dilemmas but seeks a way out. If we can think about how much we are loved and how much we care, we can find some comfort to move on. The final verse of the song offers hope by reminding listeners that despite the darkness of the night, the sun always rises, and even though we may feel separated from someone we hold dear, we will eventually be reunited.
Overall, the lyrics of "Music Maker" are about the power of music to heal our souls and help us deal with the challenges of life. It tells us that we can find solace in the love of others and music that speaks to us.
Line by Line Meaning
Kabhi Kabhi Stuti Zindagi Me Yun Hi Koi Apna Lagta Hai
Sometimes it feels like in life someone just feels like a friend for no reason.
Kabhi Kabhi Stuti Woh Bichad Jaye Toh Ek Sapna Lagta Hai
Sometimes, when they leave, it seems like a dream.
Aise Me Koi Kaise Apne Aansuon Ko Bahene Se Roke
In such times, how can anyone stop their tears from flowing?
Aur Kaise Koi Sochle Everything's Gonna Be Okay
And how can someone think that everything is going to be okay?
Kabhi Kabhi Toh Lage Zindagi Me Rahi Na Khushi Aur Na Maza
Sometimes it seems like there is no joy or pleasure in life.
Kabhi Kabhi Toh Lage Har Din Mushkil Aur Har Pal Ek Saza
Sometimes it seems like every day is difficult and every moment is a punishment.
Aise Me Koi Kaise Muskuraaye, Kaise Has De Khush Hoke
In such times, how can anyone smile, how can anyone laugh with happiness?
Aur Kaise Koi Sochle Everything's Gonna Be Okay
And how can someone think that everything is going to be okay?
Soch Zara Jaane Ja Tujuko Hume Kitna Chahte Hain
Just think and know how much we love you.
Rote Hum Bhi Agar Tere Aankhon Me Aansun Aate Hain
We also cry if we see tears in your eyes.
Gaan Toh Aata Nahi Hai Magar Fir Bhi Gaate Hain
Even if we can't sing, we still try to sing.
Hey Stuti Maan Kabhi Kabhi Saare Jahan Me Andhera Hota Hai
Hey Stuti, sometimes the whole world is in darkness.
Lekin Raat Ke Baad Hi Toh Savera Hota Hai
But after night, there is always a morning.
Hey Stuti Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Tu Zara
Hey Stuti, smile, smile, smile, smile, smile a little.
Nahi Toh Bas Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Muskura
Otherwise, just smile a little, a little, a little, a little, a little.
Tu Khush Hai Toh Lage Ke Jahan Mein Chaiyi Hai Khushi
If you're happy, then it seems like happiness is everywhere in the world.
Sooraj Nikle Baadalon Se Aur Baaten Zindagi
The sun rises above the clouds and life goes on.
Sun Toh Zara Madhosh Hawa Tujhse Kehne Lagi
Just listen, the dizzy breeze is telling you.
Ki Stuti Woh Jo Bichadte Hain ek Na ek Din Fir Mil Jate
That Stuti who leaves, one day or another will meet again.
Yeh Stuti Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Phool Fir Khil Jate Hain
This Stuti, whether you know it or not, flowers will bloom again.
Contributed by Alexandra R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nduba Namoonde
This is deep! You have to have lived the 70s to fully appreciate this. This was Jimmy at his best! Glad to have watched him in Kitwe, Zambia 1980.
Samuel EKANEM
SPLENDID!. Yes, this is absolutely a music maker and not a noise maker. What we have these days are noise makers and not music makers.
FABIAN SUE
People like Jimmy God should grant them more days on earth to keep making us happy with their talents please.
sunny mofunanya
Jimmy, thank God, for this song and thank you also for you are the real music maker.
Miz Darling
My father loved this song he died 10/13/18 I’m listening reminiscing I miss you Daddy ❤️❤️❤️
Nzekwesiri Maxwell
Who's still listening in 2020?
Great piece of art
steppin razor
I listen to old reggae classics til the moment i die. Reggae from the 70 and 80 were the best periode of reggae music
Olagunju Emmanuel Ayobode
I am listening in Abeokuta Ogun State Nigeria in 2022.
Asa
Definitely, Listening it here in Köln
david manda
Reminds me of my late dad.may your soul rest in peace.