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.
Now And Forever
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All Take your stand
Where you belong Now and
Forever, once and for all Take your stand
You're number one Now and forever, once
And for all You and I, we
Will get by Now and forever, once and
For all You and I, will not
Make of it Everyone has a place to fit
So blaze a new trail from a
Tale that's old Sing a new song that's
Yet unfold, untold Now and forever
Once and for all Work your plan, it's
All in your hands Now and forever
Once and for all Work your plan, you're
Number one Yes what is life
It's what we make of it Everyone has there
Place to fit It's for us to bear, for
Us to win Through laughter and tears
Through
Thick and thin, you win Now and forever
Once and for all Love is here, so
Make it clear Now and forever, once
And for all Love is here, so have no
Fear Now and forever, now and forever, you
And I Now and forever, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now and forever, you and I, you
And I Now and forever, once and for
All Take your stand, live up your want
You're number one Now and forever
Once and for
All Take your stand, live up your want
You're number one Now and forever, once and
For all Make your plan, live up your
Want, you're number one Now and forever
Once and for all
Now and forever, once and for all
Take your stand, where you belong
Now and forever, once and for all
Take your stand, you're number one
Now and forever, once and for all
You and I, we will get by
Now and forever, once and for all
You and I, will not be shy
For what is life, it's what we make of it
Everyone has a place to fit
So blaze a new trail from a tale that's old
Sing a new song that's yet unfold, untold
Now and forever, once and for all
Work your plan, it's all in your hands
Now and forever, once and for all
Work your plan, you're number one
Yes what is life, it's what we make of it
Everyone has there place to fit
It's for us to bear, for us to win
Through laughter and tears, through
Thick and thin, you win
Now and forever, once and for all
Love is here, so make it clear
Now and forever, once and for all
Love is here, so have no fear
Now and forever, now and forever, you and I
Now and forever, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now and forever, you and I, you and I
Now and forever, once and for all
Take your stand, live up your want
You're number one
Now and forever, once and for all
Take your stand, live up your want
You're number one
Now and forever, once and for all
Make your plan, live up your want
You're number one
Now and forever, once and for all
The lyrics of Jimmy Cliff's "Now and Forever" convey a message of empowerment and self-belief. The song encourages listeners to take their stand, live up to their potential, and be confident in their abilities. It speaks of the importance of individuality, of finding one's place and blazing a new trail in life. The chorus of the song, with its repetition of "Now and forever, once and for all," emphasizes the need for action and determination to succeed.
The lyrics also acknowledge that life is not always easy, and that there will be both laughter and tears, as well as obstacles to overcome. However, the overall tone of the song is optimistic, urging listeners to embrace love and have no fear. It hints at the idea that everyone has the potential to be a winner, especially if they are true to themselves and work hard to achieve their goals.
Overall, "Now and Forever" is an uplifting song that encourages self-confidence, action, and perseverance. It recognizes that success is not always easy, but it is possible if one is willing to both take risks and work hard.
Line by Line Meaning
Now and forever, once and for all
Take your stand, where you belong
This is a call to action, urging listeners to find their place in the world and take a stand for it, committing to it for life.
Now and forever, once and for all
Take your stand, you're number one
Reinforcing the initial call to action, this line emphasizes the importance of considering oneself as deserving of the top spot in their own life.
You and I, we will get by
Now and forever, once and for all
You and I, will not be shy
Acknowledging the inevitability of obstacles in life, this line notes that two people together will be able to overcome anything while also encouraging listeners to have the confidence to speak up and be heard.
For what is life, it's what we make of it
Everyone has a place to fit
This line speaks to the notion that life is not predetermined, and that we all have the power to shape our own experiences. At the same time, there is a place in the world for everyone.
Blaze a new trail from a tale that's old
Sing a new song that's yet unfold, untold
Encouraging creativity and innovation, this line urges individuals to not be constrained by the traditions of the past but instead introduce new ideas and ways of doing things.
Work your plan, it's all in your hands
Now and forever, once and for all
Work your plan, you're number one
Reiterating the message of self-determination, this line emphasizes the importance of having a strategy and executing it well in order to achieve one's goals.
It's for us to bear, for us to win
Through laughter and tears, through
Thick and thin, you win
This line acknowledges that life comes with both good and bad moments, but encourages listeners to persevere through them all, knowing that ultimately they will come out on top.
Love is here, so make it clear
Now and forever, once and for all
Love is here, so have no fear
Reminding listeners that love is the most important thing in life, this line encourages them to embrace it and not be afraid of expressing their feelings.
Now and forever, now and forever, you and I
Now and forever, yeah, yeah, yeah
Now and forever, you and I, you and I
Now and forever, once and for all
This repetitive line drives home the idea of commitment and solidarity with another person, reinforcing the message that standing together through thick and thin is the key to success.
Take your stand, live up your want
You're number one
Now and forever, once and for all
Take your stand, live up your want
You're number one
Now and forever, once and for all
Make your plan, live up your want
You're number one
Now and forever, once and for all
This final section concludes the song by emphasizing once again the importance of taking action and making one's desires a reality, while also providing a final boost of encouragement to embrace one's own abilities and take control of one's future.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
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