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.
NOT TO BE USED FOR NEW INPUT
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
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And a rough rough way to go
Said it's a hard road to travel
And a rough rough way to go
But I can't turn back, my heart is fixed
My mind's made up, I'll never stop
My faith will see, see me through
I'm all alone, this lonesome road I roam
I've got no love to call my very own
Oh, the river gets deeper
The hills get steeper
And the pain gets deeper every day, yeah
I've got a hard road to travel
And a rough rough way to go
Said it's a hard road to travel
And a rough rough way to go
But I can't turn back, my heart is fixed
My mind's made up, I'll never stop
My faith will see, see me through
Aah, aah, one more thing
I dream of a home far beyond the sea
Where there is love and peace and joy for me
Oh, in my eyes I see troubles and dangers for me
But destiny where it leads me I must go, hey
I've got a hard road to travel
And a rough rough way to go
Said it's a hard road to travel
And a rough rough way to go
But I can't turn back, my heart is fixed
My mind's made up, I'll never stop
My faith will see, see me through
Aah, no, help me somebody
Aah, somebody please, help me right now
The song "Hard Road to Travel" by Jimmy Cliff is an inspiring anthem about the struggles of life and the determination to persevere through hardships. The lyrics paint a picture of a difficult journey that is both physically and emotionally challenging. Despite the obstacles, the singer is committed to seeing it through to the end because of their unwavering faith. They acknowledge that it won't be easy and that the pain will only continue to grow, but they refuse to give up on their quest. The singer dreams of a life beyond their current situation, a place where they can find love, peace, and joy. Yet, they know that there are dangers and troubles ahead, but they embrace their destiny and must move forward.
The song's repetition of a "hard road to travel" reinforces the theme of struggle, and the addition of the phrase "rough rough way to go" emphasizes the difficulties the singer is facing. The line "but I can't turn back, my heart is fixed" speaks to the strength of the singer's resolve, showing that they are determined to succeed regardless of the cost. The inclusion of the phrase "my faith will see, see me through" speaks to the importance of unwavering faith in times of struggle. This song speaks to many individuals as it shines a light on their feelings of determination and resilience in the face of challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got a hard road to travel
Life is difficult
And a rough rough way to go
Life is full of obstacles and challenges
Said it's a hard road to travel
Reiterating the difficulty of life
But I can't turn back, my heart is fixed
Commitment to push forward despite difficulties
My mind's made up, I'll never stop
Determined to keep going
My faith will see, see me through
Belief that faith will provide guidance and support
Let me tell you
Addressing someone to share personal experience
I'm all alone, this lonesome road I roam
Feeling isolated on this journey
I've got no love to call my very own
Lack of romantic companionship
Oh, the river gets deeper
Obstacles and challenges become increasingly difficult
The hills get steeper
Obstacles and challenges become more daunting
And the pain gets deeper every day, yeah
Experiencing emotional pain and struggle
I dream of a home far beyond the sea
Desire for a better life
Where there is love and peace and joy for me
The hope for a happier existence
Oh, in my eyes I see troubles and dangers for me
Awareness of personal struggles and obstacles
But destiny where it leads me I must go, hey
Belief that personal destiny must be fulfilled
Aah, no, help me somebody
Request for assistance and support
Aah, somebody please, help me right now
Urgency for immediate help and assistance
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
George
I have been bewitched by this movie! I cannot understand why this film resonates with me so much. Actually, I've had affection for all things Jamaican for years, ever since I was 15. I and a bunch of my neighbourhood friends would hang out at our Jamaican friend's house - he was around 30 at the time.
Anyway, we'd all sit around on his veranda just hanging out on a hot, humid summer afternoon. As the only musician in the group, I always paled my guitar and we'd all sing songs, classic Jamaican songs by i.e., Bob Marley, Yellowman, etc. It was a blast. We drank beer, smoked some weed, we were all as content as can be. Another Jamaican guy did bodywork on his car in the driveway while we partied. - it added a certain specialness to the ambience. Life was perfect!
So when I watch this movie it evokes a certain familiarity for me, almost like I myself lived in Jamaica for some time. I understand the Jamaican patois almost perfectly, and so for me the dialogue is quite intelligible, which adds to the enjoyment. The streets, shops, markets, people all seem so familiar to me in this movie, and yet I've only been there once, on vacation with my girlfriend in Montego Bay, and that was back in 1984.
If I could freeze one specific moment in time, it would be one of those occasions when we all hung out at our Jamaican friend's veranda, on a hot August afternoon, and well into the early morning hours. Laughing, joking, singing, partying, in short, one out of many very memorable moments during my teens. Life was so stress free, everything felt right in the world, and there a feeling of hope that tomorrow would be another good day. That's where this movie takes me - to an all so familiar and fantastic time in the past. There was also another time when my best friend and I somehow ended up inside a big garage, just off of a laneway not far from where we lived. Anyway, inside was dim lit, with strobe lights, lots of people smoking and drinking beer, and very loud, thumping Reggie music playing. When I think back to that time seems so surreal, like was a dream, from another time and place. But it was real. The garage was very sound proof, and from outside no one would ever guess what was going on inside - it just looked like a big, old, beat up garage. The only reason we found it was because just as we were walking by at night, the door opened up, we heard loud, thumping reggae music playing, and some guy asked us if we wanted to come inside, to which we said yes. So we stayed for a couple of hours, drank some beer, and smoked a little weed, some of the best we had ever smoked - we found out later that it was Jamaica weed, the real bore, bore! But that's how it was back then. You didn't have to find fun, because the fun somehow found you! And later on that evening we went home, and when we got to the street corner, a whole bunch of Gus we knew from the neighbourhood were standing outside, just hanging around talking, laughing, listening to music from a boom box radio, and naturally we joined the fun until the wee, wee hours of the morning. Life was so amazing that way.
Anyhow, sorry for the long diatribe, but those are the kinds of memories that this movie reminds me of. As such, I watch it many times over and over in any given month. For me it's a kind of escapism, a temporary sanctuary from the insanity and very depressing times we live in today. It is all bad news in the world now. Everyone complains of the very same thing- there is no hope for a better tomorrow, it's all doom and gloom, and it seems impossible to rise above that. Thank you and Godspeed!
Mark Mark
saw jimmy cliff 'live' in 2003...when he sang Many Rivers, I cried....he still had an amazing voice.
S Owen
Same - in Cardiff, was amazing
yankees29
I would love to see Jimmy live.
Cara isla bonita
Still HAS. I decided to finally watch this movie after seeing a story & interview with Jimmy Cliff on my Google feed
Janet Wood
Cool!
Jay Monee
My mom and dad saw this movie at a theater in London. I saw the movie in the 80s and that knife fight scared me so I would close my eyes but I was a kid. Still a classic movie and should be put up there as one of the greats
George
I have been bewitched by this movie! I cannot understand why this film resonates with me so much. Actually, I've had affection for all things Jamaican for years, ever since I was 15. I and a bunch of my neighbourhood friends would hang out at our Jamaican friend's house - he was around 30 at the time.
Anyway, we'd all sit around on his veranda just hanging out on a hot, humid summer afternoon. As the only musician in the group, I always paled my guitar and we'd all sing songs, classic Jamaican songs by i.e., Bob Marley, Yellowman, etc. It was a blast. We drank beer, smoked some weed, we were all as content as can be. Another Jamaican guy did bodywork on his car in the driveway while we partied. - it added a certain specialness to the ambience. Life was perfect!
So when I watch this movie it evokes a certain familiarity for me, almost like I myself lived in Jamaica for some time. I understand the Jamaican patois almost perfectly, and so for me the dialogue is quite intelligible, which adds to the enjoyment. The streets, shops, markets, people all seem so familiar to me in this movie, and yet I've only been there once, on vacation with my girlfriend in Montego Bay, and that was back in 1984.
If I could freeze one specific moment in time, it would be one of those occasions when we all hung out at our Jamaican friend's veranda, on a hot August afternoon, and well into the early morning hours. Laughing, joking, singing, partying, in short, one out of many very memorable moments during my teens. Life was so stress free, everything felt right in the world, and there a feeling of hope that tomorrow would be another good day. That's where this movie takes me - to an all so familiar and fantastic time in the past. There was also another time when my best friend and I somehow ended up inside a big garage, just off of a laneway not far from where we lived. Anyway, inside was dim lit, with strobe lights, lots of people smoking and drinking beer, and very loud, thumping Reggie music playing. When I think back to that time seems so surreal, like was a dream, from another time and place. But it was real. The garage was very sound proof, and from outside no one would ever guess what was going on inside - it just looked like a big, old, beat up garage. The only reason we found it was because just as we were walking by at night, the door opened up, we heard loud, thumping reggae music playing, and some guy asked us if we wanted to come inside, to which we said yes. So we stayed for a couple of hours, drank some beer, and smoked a little weed, some of the best we had ever smoked - we found out later that it was Jamaica weed, the real bore, bore! But that's how it was back then. You didn't have to find fun, because the fun somehow found you! And later on that evening we went home, and when we got to the street corner, a whole bunch of Gus we knew from the neighbourhood were standing outside, just hanging around talking, laughing, listening to music from a boom box radio, and naturally we joined the fun until the wee, wee hours of the morning. Life was so amazing that way.
Anyhow, sorry for the long diatribe, but those are the kinds of memories that this movie reminds me of. As such, I watch it many times over and over in any given month. For me it's a kind of escapism, a temporary sanctuary from the insanity and very depressing times we live in today. It is all bad news in the world now. Everyone complains of the very same thing- there is no hope for a better tomorrow, it's all doom and gloom, and it seems impossible to rise above that. Thank you and Godspeed!
Steve B.
One time I went to Montego Bay and crank slayer and master of puppets. All night in the house of Bamboo,
Dedra Myers
Thank you for sharing I could actually see and feel what u were recanting mon!
Tu Papi
And Poser is a polite form of say what you really are because youtube doesn't allow me to put the word that you really are 😂😂😂😂😂