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.
Roots Woman
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She's a roots woman
It's the truth, woman
And you turn me on
Roots woman, roots woman
She's my roots woman
It's the truth, woman
Now she don't worship diamonds
She don't worship pearls
She don't worship silver
She don't worship gold
She'll live the life she'll love
And love the life she'll live
And give me plenty lovin'
And it keeps me bubbling on
Roots woman, roots woman
She's a roots woman
It's the truth, woman
And you turn me on
Roots woman, roots woman
She's my roots woman
It's the truth, woman
And you turn me on
Now I don't know what you'd say
If you saw me yesterday
But I know what you'd say
If you see I mon today
She'll cook that country porridge
If I get her knowledge
Keep a lookin' smashin'
And it keeps us bubbling on
And I'm talking â??bout the
Roots woman, roots woman
She's my roots woman
It's the truth, woman
And you turn me on
Roots woman, roots woman
She's a roots woman
It's the truth, woman
And you turn me on
Turn me on now
Oh, yeah
I'll turn you on
Mmm, hmm
Sometimes we have to fuss
Sometimes we have to fight
But that don't hinder us
From making it alright
You see, love is our foundation
Ever since creation
And funny as it seems
Nothing can come between
And I'm talking â??bout the
Roots woman, roots woman
She's a roots woman
It's the truth, woman
And you turn me on
Roots woman, roots woman
She's a roots woman
It's the truth, woman
And you turn me on
Turn me on now
Roots woman, roots woman (Oh, yeah)
She's my roots woman (I'll turn you on)
It's the truth, woman (Mmm, hmm)
She's my roots woman (Yeah)
Roots woman, roots woman (Oh, yeah)
She's my roots woman
(Talking â??bout the roots woman, roots woman)
It's the truth, woman
She's my roots woman (Oh, yeah)
Roots woman, roots woman (Uh-huh)
She's my roots woman (She's my roots woman)
It's the truth, woman (It's the truth, woman)
She's my roots woman (It's the roots woman)
Roots woman, roots woman (And you turn me on)
She's my roots woman (Turn me on now)
It's the truth, woman (I turn you on)
She's my roots woman (You turn me on)
Roots woman, roots woman (I turn you on)
She's my roots woman (You turn me on)
It's the truth, woman (I turn you on)
She's my roots woman (Oh, oh)
"Roots Woman" by Jimmy Cliff is a tribute to a woman who refuses to conform to societal expectations and instead lives her life in a way that is true to her roots. The song celebrates the virtues of this "roots woman" who does not value material possessions like diamonds, pearls, silver or gold, but rather lives the life she loves and loves the life she lives. She is independent, self-reliant and is not afraid to fight for what she believes in. This unwavering spirit and strength of character is what turns the singer on.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer and his "roots woman" have a strong bond built on love, trust and respect. Although they may have their differences and disagreements, they are able to overcome them because their love is founded on a strong and unshakable foundation. The song underscores the idea that love and respect are not determined by external factors but by the virtue of one's character and the choices they make in life.
Overall, the song celebrates the beauty and strength of women who are true to themselves and their roots, and who value love, respect and inner strength over material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
Roots woman, roots woman
A woman who is connected to her roots, tradition, and culture.
She's a roots woman
She embodies the spirit of her roots and traditions.
It's the truth, woman
This is honest and true.
And you turn me on
You inspire and uplift me.
Now she don't worship diamonds
She doesn't value or prioritize material things.
She don't worship pearls
She doesn't value or prioritize material things.
She don't worship silver
She doesn't value or prioritize material things.
She don't worship gold
She doesn't value or prioritize material things.
She'll live the life she'll love
She will live the life she desires and enjoys.
And love the life she'll live
She will cherish the life she has and appreciate it.
And give me plenty lovin'
She bestows love and affection on me.
And it keeps me bubbling on
It brings me great joy and satisfaction.
Now I don't know what you'd say
I'm not sure how you would respond or react.
If you saw me yesterday
If you saw me in the past.
But I know what you'd say
I'm confident in how you would respond.
If you see I mon today
If you see me today.
She'll cook that country porridge
She will make traditional and authentic food for me.
If I get her knowledge
I gain knowledge from her.
Keep a lookin' smashin'
She looks and presents herself exceptionally well.
And it keeps us bubbling on
It brings us great joy and satisfaction.
Sometimes we have to fuss
Sometimes we argue or bicker.
Sometimes we have to fight
Sometimes we have disagreements or conflicts.
But that don't hinder us
That doesn't prevent us from moving forward.
From making it alright
From resolving our issues.
You see, love is our foundation
Our relationship is built on love.
Ever since creation
Since the beginning of time.
And funny as it seems
As odd as it may be.
Nothing can come between
Nothing can interfere or break our bond.
Turn me on now
Excite me.
Oh, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm.
I'll turn you on
I'll inspire you.
Mmm, hmm
Expressing agreement or acknowledgement.
Lyrics © TAMMI MUSIC LTD., 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