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.
Those Good Good Old Days
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When we were much younger
Skies were blue and fields were green
oh the air’s so clean
Animals ran wild and free
birds could sing in harmony
flowers would grow all around
CHORUS
In those good good old days
In those good good old days
In those good good old days
That used to be
Where did all the green fields go
And flowers now that just won’t grow
Animals are dying out
That lives north and south
They found out how to crack the skies
Casting shadows on our eyes
Telling us just how to live
And when to die
CHORUS
But those good good old days
yes those good good old days
In those good good old days
That used to be
Wasting oil upon the sea
That used to be so fresh and free
Poisoned gases everywhere
Stifling the air
And many children lose their way
By leaders of confusion
And leave them with the price to pay
Of hastened evolution
CHORUS
But those good good old days
In those good good old days
yes those good good old days
That used to be
Talking ‘bout those good old days
Talking ‘bout those good old good old days
Don’t you remember
Try to remember
I’m sure you know
I’m sure you know
The song "Those Good Good Old Days" by Jimmy Cliff reflects on the loss of environmental and social harmony that the world used to have. The lyrics reminisce about a time when nature was abundant and clean, with blue skies, green fields, and free-roaming animals. The song laments the current situation where the fields are no longer green, and flowers are not growing; animals are becoming extinct, and free clean air is no longer abundant. The lyrics reveal the realities of environmental degradation, pollution, and global warming, which have endangered our planet, casting a shadow on human lives.
The song also reflects on the moral decay of society, where leaders of confusion have led to a lack of direction and confusion in the generations that have followed. This moral decay has led to many children losing their way, causing them to pay the price of a hurried evolution. Jimmy Cliff urges listeners to remember those good old days, where nature was abundant and human beings lived in harmony with each other and the world around them. The lyrics remind us to try and restore those good old days, to protect our planet and restore the moral values that we have lost along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I can still remember
Recalling fond memories of years gone by
When we were much younger
Thinking back to a time when life was simpler and carefree
Skies were blue and fields were green
The environment was pristine and natural
oh the air’s so clean
The atmosphere was untainted and healthy
Animals ran wild and free
Wildlife roamed without boundaries and human interference
birds could sing in harmony
Birds sang sweet melodies without any noise pollution
flowers would grow all around
The landscape was adorned with beautiful flora
and Mother Earth was sound
The earth's natural balance was in harmony and undisturbed
Where did all the green fields go
Questioning the disappearance of natural, green spaces
And flowers now that just won’t grow
Noticing the lack of flourishing plant life
Animals are dying out
Recognizing the decline and extinction of animal species
That lives north and south
Noting that this issue is global and not limited to specific regions
They found out how to crack the skies
Referencing the harmful effects of air pollution and depletion of the ozone layer
Casting shadows on our eyes
Indicating that this issue is being ignored or hidden from the public
Telling us just how to live
Government or corporations dictating the course of society
And when to die
The impact of environmental hazards on human health and mortality rates
Wasting oil upon the sea
Criticizing the negligent disposal of oil and other pollutants into the ocean
That used to be so fresh and free
Highlighting the contrast between the sea's past and present conditions
Poisoned gases everywhere
Acknowledging the hazardous gases that come from pollution and industrial waste
Stifling the air
The negative effects of poor air quality on respiratory health and quality of life
And many children lose their way
Young people experiencing the negative effects of man-made changes in society
By leaders of confusion
Those in power who are exacerbating confusion and chaos instead of promoting stability and progress
And leave them with the price to pay
Young people being burdened with the consequences of societal degradation
Of hastened evolution
The unnatural and rapid changes to the planet's environment and resources
Talking ‘bout those good old days
Continuing to yearn for the simplicity and goodness of the past
Talking ‘bout those good old good old days
Repeating the nostalgia for the past
Don’t you remember
Asking the listener to reminisce
Try to remember
Encouraging active recollection and reflection
I’m sure you know
Acknowledging that others share the same feelings and memories
Contributed by Hannah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Josephine Olowu
They are still telling us how to live today through social distance, social networking, social media and other organisations! Love you Jimmy, this is very prophetic,sweet rhythm with angelic vocals!
Federation Of Reggae Music (FORM)
Great song Great artist.
Fashion Gate
Good to have good old days to remember and to cherish once upon a time!
Carlos Rojas
He tenido el placer de escuchar mucho a Jimmy Cliff, pero nunca he logrado encontrar el tema " It`s Time "
Lawrence Lee Akizie
Brother Jimmy Cliff will the good old days you sang about ever come again with the pollutions we have all over the place. Your song are always ever green and classics. Thanks for this good work.
Maurice Mzwinila
Yes Jimmy....those good ole days...those wonderful days...when the world was a better place.thank you for reminding us of those good ole days
Lawrence Lee Akizie
I was in my teen when this album came out the big question from me till this day will that good old days where trees are green and birds sing in harmony come again.
Michael Saye Wehdah Sr
Yes, sweet old days. Unforgettable memories
Don Beete
The Good Old Days - we can only remember but CAN'T BRING BACK.
Chukwuibe
I remember this number back in 1973. Back in those Good ol days in Lagos Nigeria. one was just a young boy 12yrs old. O boy!