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.
Oh Jamaica
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You′re always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Jamaica, men have called you since Columbus sailed to the shores
From John Hawkins to Henry Morgan and many more
They all loved you for your party and your wealth
Now you′re a woman that has fallen in the dust
But your children will help you because they must
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
From the Midlands to Morant Point, from Kingston to Mobay
Discontentment is the order of the day
And like your sisters that are in the Caribbean
Disaffection from deception can be seen
Your many lovers were deceivers from the start
Now your sons and daughters hug you to the heart
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You′re always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You′re always on my mind
They don't know, oh Jamaica,
Oh Jamaica now, oh Jamaica
Hey, hey, eh you′re always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, hey hey hey, oh Jamaica, hmmn hmmn
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, hey, hey, hey, hey
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica now, oh Jamaica
Eeee eee hey, you're always on my mind
The song "Oh Jamaica" by Jimmy Cliff is an ode to the country of Jamaica, which holds a special place in the singer's heart. The lyrics describe Jamaica as a beautiful woman who has been mistreated by past lovers, the colonizers who took advantage of her wealth without caring for her wellbeing. Despite this, the people of Jamaica remain loyal and dedicated to their country, working hard to elevate it from its current state of discontentment.
The song touches on a variety of themes, including colonialism, exploitation, and the love and dedication that people have for their home country. It is an anthem of hope, as Cliff believes that Jamaica's children will work together to right the wrongs of the past and build a brighter future for their nation. The repetition of the phrase "Oh Jamaica, you're always on my mind" emphasizes Cliff's deep love and commitment to his home country, and serves as a reminder to others to remember and honor their own roots.
In addition to its powerful message, "Oh Jamaica" is also a catchy and upbeat tune that showcases Cliff's distinctive reggae sound. With its infectious rhythm and uplifting lyrics, the song has remained popular among Jamaicans and reggae fans worldwide for several decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
Repetition of the title to emphasize the importance of Jamaica.
You’re always on my mind
Jamaica's significance and impact is never forgotten in the mind of the singer.
Jamaica, men have called you since Columbus sailed to the shores
Jamaica's history dates back to the arrival of Columbus, and many men have claimed and ruled over it throughout history.
From John Hawkins to Henry Morgan and many more
John Hawkins and Henry Morgan are just two examples of many men who have ruled over Jamaica throughout history.
They all loved you for your party and your wealth
Jamaica was known for its parties and wealth, and that is what attracted many of its rulers throughout history.
But cared nothing for your welfare or your health
Most of Jamaica's rulers did not care about the welfare or health of the locals, showing neglect and disregard for the country.
Now you’re a woman that has fallen in the dust
Jamaica has been taken advantage of by many throughout history and has been left to struggle and suffer in poverty and despair.
But your children will help you because they must
Despite being left to struggle, the locals of Jamaica will come together and help revive their country because they have no other choice.
From the Midlands to Morant Point, from Kingston to Mobay
Naming various locations and regions of Jamaica, showing how Jamaica is struggling from one end to another.
Discontentment is the order of the day
People are unhappy in Jamaica and this discontentment is a daily occurrence.
And like your sisters that are in the Caribbean
Jamaica is not the only Caribbean country that is facing struggles and troubles.
Disaffection from deception can be seen
People have become disaffected, cynical and untrusting due to the deception they have experienced.
Your many lovers were deceivers from the start
Many who have claimed to love and help Jamaica throughout its history have been deceptive and dishonest from the very beginning.
Now your sons and daughters hug you to the heart
Despite the history of deception, the locals still love Jamaica deeply and hold it close to their hearts.
They don't know, oh Jamaica, Oh Jamaica now, oh Jamaica
Many outsiders may not truly understand the struggles and issues that Jamaica is facing.
Eeee eee hey, you're always on my mind
Repeating the chorus to show how deeply Jamaica is ingrained in the artist's thoughts and memories.
Writer(s): Jimmy Cliff
Contributed by Jason W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wilson González
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Jamaica, men have called you since Columbus sailed to the shores
From John Hawkins to Henry Morgan and many more
They all loved you for your party and your wealth
But cared nothing for your welfare or your health
Now you're a woman that has fallen in the dust
But your children will help you because they must
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
From the Midlands to Morant Point, from Kingston to Mobay
Discontentment is the order of the day
And like your sisters that are in the Caribbean
Disaffection from deception can be seen
Your many lovers were deceivers from the start
Now your sons and daughters hug you to the heart
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
They don't know, oh Jamaica,
Oh Jamaica now, oh Jamaica
Hey, hey, eh you're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, hey hey hey, oh Jamaica, hmmn hmmn
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, hey, hey, hey, hey
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica now, oh Jamaica
Eeee eee hey, you're always on my mind
Wilson González
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Jamaica, men have called you since Columbus sailed to the shores
From John Hawkins to Henry Morgan and many more
They all loved you for your party and your wealth
But cared nothing for your welfare or your health
Now you're a woman that has fallen in the dust
But your children will help you because they must
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
From the Midlands to Morant Point, from Kingston to Mobay
Discontentment is the order of the day
And like your sisters that are in the Caribbean
Disaffection from deception can be seen
Your many lovers were deceivers from the start
Now your sons and daughters hug you to the heart
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica
You're always on my mind
They don't know, oh Jamaica,
Oh Jamaica now, oh Jamaica
Hey, hey, eh you're always on my mind
Oh Jamaica, hey hey hey, oh Jamaica, hmmn hmmn
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica, hey, hey, hey, hey
Oh Jamaica, oh Jamaica now, oh Jamaica
Eeee eee hey, you're always on my mind
Timi Jeboda
Awesome song by the LEGEND. Jamaica is awesome. God Bless !!! I rie....
Murray Hutton
Another Jimmy Cliff masterpiece,Muray.
Dogo Simon
I love the lyrics. It's today that I got the import of "Oh Jamaica".
Feyikemi Niyi Olayinka
All these Jimmy Cliffs songs remind me of my childhood days in Ibadan
Ted Breckner
Great lyrics (not to mention the rhythm
Josephine Mpundu
Jimmy Cliff sings from the heart and it touches your core. Great musician, great reggae maestro.
dimitri buffa
Stupenda❤
1wharfboy
My very happy youth PRICELESS.
uyo chijioke
one of my favorites....