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.
Power And The Glory
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For the power and the glory
For the power and the glory
What a great conspiracy
(Conspiracy, conspiracy)
For the power and the glory
For the power and the glory
What a great controversy
(Controversy, controversy)
Whoa, what a situation
This our fathers land
Power and glory is all they′re after
Oh, I can see them getting the disaster
This power belongs unto our father
Power nowhere??
See Babylon in confusion
Oh, we're trodding Armageddon
For the power and the glory
For the power and the glory
For the power and the glory
What a great conspiracy
(Conspiracy, conspiracy)
So?? on the so called?? world
Only to rise to see who can be king of the world
Innocent bloodshed for crown and title
Won′t get no one nowhere in this cycle
So brimstone, fire and hailstone
Offering them??
'Cause the plow man has overtaken the reaper
And the downpressor has now become a loser
For the power and the glory
For the power and the glory
For the power and the glory
What a great controversy
(Controversy, controversy)
Oh, what a conspiracy
For humanity, yeah
You as a tsar, United States and Soviet Russia
Guns to keep the world under pressure
They say they're wanting the same
But they disguise in the name
Oh no, this can′t go one
One nation rise, one nation fall
Leading the righteous??
For the power and the glory
For the power and the glory
For the power and the glory
What a great conspiracy
(Conspiracy, conspiracy)
For the power and the glory
For Jah Jah power and the glory
For the power and the glory
What a great controversy
(Controversy, controversy)
But I know
And I know, I know
I know Jah
Well, I know, I know, I know
Jah
Earthquake, ligthning and thunder
Brimstone, fire and hailstone
For Jah, hey, hey
The lyrics of Jimmy Cliff's song "Power and the Glory" delve into themes of power, corruption, and conflict within society or on a global scale. The repeated lines "For the power and the glory" emphasize the pursuit of power and recognition, suggesting a hunger for dominance and control. The references to conspiracy and controversy hint at a darker side to this quest for power, highlighting hidden agendas and deceitful tactics used to maintain authority.
The lyrics also touch upon the consequences of power struggles, portraying a bleak picture of a world where those in positions of authority are driven by selfish motivations. The imagery of disaster and confusion evoked in lines like "Oh, I can see them getting the disaster" and "See Babylon in confusion" suggests a society on the brink of collapse due to the ruthless pursuit of power. The mention of Armageddon further underscores the idea of impending chaos and destruction resulting from unchecked greed and ambition.
The song critiques the ways in which power is often abused and misused, pointing out the futility of pursuing dominance at the expense of others. The lines "Innocent bloodshed for crown and title/Won't get no one nowhere in this cycle" condemn the violence and bloodshed that often accompanies power struggles, ultimately leading to a dead end where no one truly benefits. The shift from oppressor to loser signifies a reversal of fortune, suggesting that those who misuse their power will ultimately face downfall and defeat.
In the final verses, the lyrics reflect on the global stage, referencing tensions between superpowers like the United States and Soviet Russia. The mention of guns and manipulation to keep the world under pressure highlights the destructive nature of power politics, where nations vie for supremacy at the expense of stability and peace. The call for righteousness and a plea for unity suggest a longing for a more harmonious world where power is not abused but used for the greater good. The invocation of Jah (or God) amidst the chaos and turmoil reaffirms a belief in divine justice and intervention in the face of human greed and corruption.
Line by Line Meaning
For the power and the glory
Expressing the desire for authority and prestige
For the power and the glory
Repeating the desire for authority and prestige
For the power and the glory
Continuing the desire for authority and prestige
What a great conspiracy
Acknowledging a profound scheme or plot at play
For the power and the glory
Emphasizing the desire for authority and prestige
For the power and the glory
Reiterating the desire for authority and prestige
For the power and the glory
Reinforcing the desire for authority and prestige
What a great controversy
Recognizing a significant disagreement or dispute
What a great conspiracy
Noticing a profound scheme or plot at play
What a great controversy
Acknowledging a significant disagreement or dispute
Whoa, what a situation
Expressing astonishment at the current circumstances
This our fathers land
Referring to the homeland of ancestors
Power and glory is all they're after
Highlighting the pursuit of authority and honor
Oh, I can see them getting the disaster
Perceiving the impending calamity
This power belongs unto our father
Stating that authority is rightful to ancestors
Power nowhere?
Questioning the absence of authority
See Babylon in confusion
Observing chaos in Babylon
Oh, we're trodding Armageddon
Walking towards a monumental conflict
So?? on the so called?? world
Commenting on the current state of affairs globally
Only to rise to see who can be king of the world
Striving to become the ruler of the world
Innocent bloodshed for crown and title
Bloodshed occurring in pursuit of power and titles
Won′t get no one nowhere in this cycle
Emphasizing that this cycle leads nowhere
So brimstone, fire and hailstone
Describing destructive elements
Offering them??
Unclear reference to an unknown action
'Cause the plow man has overtaken the reaper
Explaining a reversal of traditional roles
And the downpressor has now become a loser
Noting the downfall of oppressors
So humanity, yeah
Addressing humanity as a whole
You as a tsar, United States and Soviet Russia
Mentioning powerful nations
Guns to keep the world under pressure
Referring to weapons used for control
They say they're wanting the same
Claiming to have similar goals
But they disguise in the name
Masking their true intentions
Oh no, this can′t go one
Declaring the need for change
One nation rise, one nation fall
Predicting the rise and fall of nations
Leading the righteous??
Unclear continuation of thought
But I know
Expressing certainty
And I know, I know
Reiterating certainty
I know Jah
Acknowledging spiritual knowledge
Well, I know, I know, I know
Emphasizing knowledge
Earthquake, ligthning and thunder
Describing natural disasters
Brimstone, fire and hailstone
Listing destructive elements
For Jah, hey, hey
Referencing spiritual beliefs
Contributed by Grace I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kwaneleradebe1801
For the Power and The Glory.
I hope one day I will see my Heavenly Father's Face again
I was once there before I came to this mortal world.
Before this world was created
Before the mountains were set, I was there
When He prepared Heavens, I was there
When He establish the clouds
I was by Him
I was daily His delight
Rejoicing always by Him (Proverbs 8:23-36)
I hope I have my Mother there
@maramapullan6697
Thank you Mr cliff love this song your music lives on
@nesskeys8460
Missing my Mama came here to jam. The whole album reminds me of her. Rest peacefully Mama.
@The3Stooges
I mourn with you in your loss ❤
@nesskeys8460
@The3Stooges thank youu
@boringteaser
Who else is listening to Mr Cliff in 2020 :)
@faanengaaw7357
🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽✌🏽
@williamwade1
Me✊🏿😎✊🏿💯
@shamenmoodley9328
100%
@eddiechen-pao7091
Yeah mon give it up for Jimmy Cliff 2021 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
@arinaitwewilkens1092
Always listening