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.
Reggae Night
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You live and you love
So turn on your light
Make it shine bright
Now listen to this
Jam it
Reggae night
Reggae night
And we'll be jamming till the morning light,
Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
Many river calls
Got to get my things, got to catch this ride
Got to look my best
Cause I know they'll be mashing it up tonight,
Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
Reggae night
We come together when the feeling's right
Reggae night
And we'll be jamming till the morning light,
Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
You will find it happens only once a year
So don't miss out on this session here, oh
There'll be people coming from
The north and south and east and west
So you better look your best, man
Now lightening strikes at 8,
So you better not be late
For this rub-a-dubbing, rockin',
Jammin' fun, fun loving, yeah
Reggae night
We come together when the feeling's right,
Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
Reggae night
And we'll be jamming till the morning light
You will find it happens only once a year
So take advantage of this festive cheer
Tonight we'll bring with family
And let's tell some friends
That everyone will have a jam, jam session
Ooh, yeah
Comin' out
Ribbit
Very nice style
Ram it
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Oh...oh...
Keep on rockin' down
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Reggae night
We come together when the feeling's right,
Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
Reggae night
And we'll be jamming till the morning light,
Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
Reggae night
We come together when the feeling's right,
Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
Reggae night
And we'll be jamming till the morning light,
Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Whoa...oh...
Reggae night
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Oh...oh...
Reggae night
Ram it, jam it
Ooh, yeah...
Reggae Night is a classic song by Jimmy Cliff about the annual gathering where people come together to enjoy reggae music and have a good time. The song encourages people to let their light shine bright and have fun while jamming till the morning light. The lyrics reflect the joy and excitement of reggae music, which Jimmy Cliff is renowned for. The song also conveys the message that the annual reggae night is a special event that should not be missed as it only happens once a year.
The lyrics highlight the preparation and anticipation people feel before the reggae night, which is evident in lines such as "Many river calls, got to get my things, got to catch this ride, got to look my best cause I know they'll be mashing it up tonight". The song also emphasizes the importance of being on time, as "lightening strikes at 8", and one should not be late for the "rub-a-dubbing, rockin', jammin', fun-loving" night.
In summary, Reggae Night is a classic reggae song that captures the essence of the reggae culture and encourages people to come together and enjoy classic music that brings people of different backgrounds and cultures to celebrate good times.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, mon, Reggae night
The singer is excited about reggae night and uses mon, a Jamaican slang, to express joy.
You live and you love
Enjoy life to the fullest, appreciate it, and spread love.
So turn on your light
Be passionate, enthusiastic, and cheerful all night.
Make it shine bright
Make it stand out and glow, make it unforgettable.
Now listen to this
Pay attention and get ready to have a good time.
Jam it
Dance to the music, feel the vibe, and groove with it.
Reggae night
This is a night full of reggae music, good vibes, and positive energy.
We come together when the feeling's right
People unite to enjoy reggae music only when the timing and mood people are right.
And we'll be jamming till the morning light, Mmm, hmm, oh, oh
People will dance, sing, and enjoy the night until the sun comes up.
Many river calls
Many places in Jamaica such as rivers, mountains, and beaches have different names to describe them.
Got to get my things, got to catch this ride
The singer has to get ready and catch a ride to attend the party.
Got to look my best because I know they'll be mashing it up tonight
The artist is excited about the party and is dressing up to have a good time.
You will find it happens only once a year
The party happens once a year, so it's essential to enjoy it while it lasts.
So don't miss out on this session here, oh
The singer is encouraging people not to miss out the great reggae party.
There'll be people coming from the north and south and east and west
This great event brings people from different parts of Jamaica.
So you better look your best, man
People should dress well to have a good time and make a great first impression.
Now lightening strikes at 8, So you better not be late
The party starts at 8, and the artist is urging people to arrive on time to avoid missing the fun.
For this rub-a-dubbing, rockin', Jammin', fun, fun-loving, yeah
People will enjoy Jamaican music styles such as rub-a-dub, rock, and jam with fun-loving people all night.
Tonight we'll bring with family
People will bring their brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters to have a great time.
And let's tell some friends
Invite friends to join in and have fun together.
That everyone will have a jam, jam session
Everybody will jam and dance with each other but with a particular term 'strawberry jam' meaning their love hanging out is natural.
Oh...oh... Reggae night
The exciting and vibrant party continues throughout the whole night.
Whoa...oh... Reggae night
The party continues with passion, energy, and excitement.
Ram it, jam it Ooh, yeah...
Use high energy and enthusiasm to enjoy and dance to the music with confidence and swagger.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: AMIR S. BAYYAN, LA TOYA YVONNE JACKSON, La Toya Jackson, Amir Bayyan, Andre Bailey, FRED SCHNEIDER, Gramps Morgan, MEMMALATEL Morgan, Nakhamyah Morgan, Peter Morgan
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