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.
So Many Rivers To Cross
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I can't seem to find my way over
Wandering I am lost
As I travel along the white cliffs of Dover
Many rivers to cross
And it's only my will that keeps me alive
I've been licked, washed up for years
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's such a drag to be on your own
My woman left me and she didn't say why
Well I guess, I have to try
Many rivers to cross
But just where to begin, I'm playing for time
There are times I find myself
Thinking of committing some dreadful crime
Yes, I've got many rivers to cross
But I can't seem to find my way over
Wandering I am lost
As I travel along the white cliffs of Dover
In Jimmy Cliff's song "Many Rivers to Cross," the singer expresses his inner turmoil as he struggles to navigate through life's challenges. The metaphorical rivers represent obstacles and hardships that he encounters, and no matter how hard he tries, he cannot seem to find a way to overcome them. He is lost and wandering, figuratively journeying along the white cliffs of Dover without a clear sense of direction or purpose. The lyrics are reflective of the human condition, where life is a journey full of ups and downs, twists and turns, and the occasional setback.
The singer's will to survive, although battered and bruised, is what keeps him going. He has been beaten down and written off, but his pride won't allow him to give up. The loneliness he feels after his woman leaves him is palpable, and he finds himself contemplating doing something drastic. However, he knows that he has many rivers to cross, and he must summon the strength to keep moving forward, no matter how bleak the situation appears. The song is a testament to the human spirit, which allows us to persevere in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Many rivers to cross
The singer has faced numerous challenges in life.
But I can't seem to find my way over
Despite the singer's efforts, he has not been able to overcome his obstacles.
Wandering I am lost
The singer feels lost and directionless.
As I travel along the white cliffs of Dover
The artist is metaphorically journeying through life, symbolized by the white cliffs of Dover.
And it's only my will that keeps me alive
The artist's determination and strength of will have kept him going through difficult times.
I've been licked, washed up for years
The singer has been defeated and struggling for years.
And I merely survive because of my pride
The singer has to rely on his pride to keep him going, even if it is a difficult and ego-centric solution.
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
The artist is experiencing acute loneliness that is persistent.
It's such a drag to be on your own
Being alone is difficult and unpleasant for the artist.
My woman left me and she didn't say why
The artist's girlfriend left him for undefined reasons.
Well I guess, I have to try
The singer acknowledges that he has to keep trying despite the odds.
But just where to begin, I'm playing for time
The artist is unsure of how to start fixing his situation and is procrastinating.
There are times I find myself
The singer sometimes experiences dark thoughts.
Thinking of committing some dreadful crime
The singer has disturbing urges in his mind.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bethbartlett5692
jamz0007
There are artists that have a genre that is popular, a hit that evokes a following, and remain a strong concert audience draw, and the audience genuinely love the song/music , most of these fans are not musically trained, don't understand the talent ranges of vocal artists - they simply recognize the music resonates a pleasing sound to their ear - and they are correct,
HOWEVER, occasionally the artist is beyond a mention on a top 10, they are genius level gifted, they can sing in superior quality, range, multiple genres -
They are true Stars.
This man is one of those exceptional vocal artists - and although he may have not reached the level of international name recognition outside his Genesee of music like a Michael Jackson, Elvis, or Sinatra - he is most definitely that level of talent -
It's a fact that the true talents of Star Quality often don't reach the recognition level they deserve, and many have no desire to for the obvious trade-offs it requires -
I guarantee 8f Sinatra were listening to this man today or 20 years ago, he would be the first to acknowledge his vast credibility and talent.
I have a bit of amazement each time I listen to his work - he is most definitely a Star's Star.
@sylviewalker7560
Who is loving this in 2024?
@utitofonekpo2892
I'm here, loving it in 2024😊
@desire-mohinderbhinder4983
👋🏼
@anniem5513
Always ❤
@blacksand3100
Hands up from 🇮🇩
@benjyokwokwo7781
Meeee 😊
@yualandadavis9116
This song will never Die ,in 2023 and still listening 👂 ❤GOD BLESS JIMMY CLIFF WITH A MAGNIFICENT BLESSED VOICE FROM 🇯🇲
@Rihannamarin
This song has carried me through 32 years of paralysis. 😢. Struggling Man.
@Simon-br8zp
Are you ok?
@hayleyrabin4533
hey u ok u know im always here if u need a chat