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.
People
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
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You and your girl, things could be pretty
But underneath this there is a secret
That nobody can reveal
Take a look at the world
And the state that it's in today
I am sure you'll agree
With our love put together
Everybody learn to love each other
Instead of fussing and fighting
Cheating but biting
Scandalizing and hating
Baby, we could have a wonderful world, beautiful people
You and your girl things could be pretty
But underneath this there is a secret
That nobody can reveal, yeah now
Man and woman, girl and boy
Let us try to give a helping hand
This I know and I'm sure
That with love we all could understand
This is our world, can't you see
Everybody wants to live and be free
Instead of fussing and fighting
Cheating but biting
Scandalizing and hating, yeah
We could have a wonderful world, beautiful people
You and your girl things could be pretty
But underneath this there is a secret
That nobody can reveal, mmh yeah, yeah
Talking about the wonderful world, beautiful people
You and your girl, talking about you,
Things could be pretty, talking about me
Wonderful world, talking about Nixon
Beautiful people, Harold Wilson
Wonderful world, Pompidou
Beautiful people, and Kosygin
Wonderful world, beautiful people
Wonderful world, beautiful people
The song "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" by Jimmy Cliff is a call to unity and love, set against the backdrop of a world filled with strife and conflict. The lyrics highlight the beauty of the world and its people, while acknowledging that beneath the surface there is a secret that nobody can reveal. The song urges us to take a closer look at the state of the world and to do our part in making it a better place. This can be achieved by putting our love together and learning to love each other, instead of fussing and fighting.
The lyrics encourage men and women, girls and boys, to give each other a helping hand and to work towards understanding each other. The song asserts that this is our world, and everyone wants to live and be free. Instead of perpetuating hate and conflict, the song encourages us to work towards creating a wonderful world with beautiful people. The repetition of the phrase "wonderful world, beautiful people" serves to drive home the message of the song and to inspire us to work towards a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Eh-yeah, wonderful world, beautiful people
Referring to the world as a lovely place full of beauty
You and your girl, things could be pretty
The world could be a better place if people come together with their loved ones and appreciate the beauty around them
But underneath this there is a secret
Below the surface of this beauty, there lies a hidden message
That nobody can reveal
No one can interpret or articulate it completely
Take a look at the world
Observing the world and its current state
And the state that it's in today
Reflecting on the condition of the world in the present day
I am sure you'll agree
Convinced that many people will accept the reality
We all could make it a better way
Together, we can strive to improve and make the world a better place
With our love put together
By adding our collective love and compassion
Everybody learn to love each other
Encouraging everyone to love and care for one another
Instead of fussing and fighting
Discouraging conflicts and quarrels
Cheating but biting
Deploring dishonesty and betrayal
Scandalizing and hating
Disapproving malicious rumors and hate speech
Baby, we could have a wonderful world, beautiful people
Indicating that if we all strive to live in harmony, we can have a beautiful world
Man and woman, girl and boy
Referring to all human beings, regardless of gender or age
Let us try to give a helping hand
Encouraging people to be supportive of others
This I know and I'm sure
Having confidence in the power of love and unity
That with love we all could understand
Asserting that love can help us comprehend one another
This is our world, can't you see
Reminding us that it's our collective responsibility to look after the world we live in
Everybody wants to live and be free
Every human being craves liberty and autonomy
Talking about the wonderful world, beautiful people
Repeating the central idea that the world could be great if we embrace love and unity
You and your girl, talking about you,
Addressing everyone and alluding to their loved ones
Things could be pretty, talking about me
Acknowledging that even the singer could personally experience joy if the world is a better place
Wonderful world, talking about Nixon
Mentioning world leaders, like Nixon
Beautiful people, Harold Wilson
Referencing other prime ministers, like Harold Wilson
Wonderful world, Pompidou
Naming another Head of State, like Pompidou
Beautiful people, and Kosygin
Referencing other leaders, like Kosygin
Wonderful world, beautiful people
Ending the song with the title phrase and emphasizing that the world can indeed be a wonderful and beautiful place
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jimmy Cliff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnno9989
This song is awesome! I'm rather surprised this one ain't ever been released as a single. We should persuade Jimmy to do so.
mark styles
This man is a LEGEND to have such a long career, with so many great tunes. ...
LaLuucy
I remember dancing around the living room to this song with my cousin, dressed in curtains as dresses to my grandparents. thank you soo much, RIP Grampy <3
Linda P
Just discovered this song. LOVE IT!!!
Janaína Rodrigues
Was theme of the novels Pura Mágica (2005) , Pátria Minha (2018-19) , Teresa 2021 (2021-22) and Um Refúgio para o Amor 2022 (2022-23) This music is so atual and beautiful
peter unwin
Should be the anthem for this pandemic.its class.
Samuel Jacob
Still jamin 🔊🎶☝🏾🔥🍻🍁
TheOSUfan46
Thanks you for this!
Julius Edwards-El
Check Jah conquering Lion Judah! Forward ever. Backward never! Massives!