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.
Time Will Tell
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time alone will tell
When I was just a little boy only six years old
I asked my daddy what big things my future hold
He said, son, when you grow up to be a man
The facts of life you will start to understand
Nobody knows just what tomorrow may bring
Father said
Time will tell, time will tell
Time alone will tell
Now I'm a lonely man trying to make life on my own
Ever since the day I was born, I never have a happy home
Just like the river, I've been running ever since
The day I was born in that broken down little town
I'm wondering now just what my gain will be
'Cause it seems to me, happiness I'll never see
Mama said
Time will tell, time will tell
Time alone will tell
What he say now,
Time will tell, time will tell
Time alone will tell
Time keeps on changing like the weather and the seasons
For every mistake, mama said there must be a reason
After a storm, there's got to be a calm
So I think I'll wait a while
And try to wear a smile
Mama said
Time will tell, time will tell
Time alone will tell
What he say now
Time will tell, I know, I know, time will tell
Said I know time alone will tell
One more time now
Time will tell, I believe, time will tell, oh yes, I do
Time alone will tell
The lyrics of Jimmy Cliff's song "Time Will Tell" convey the message that nobody knows what the future holds. The song starts with the singer recalling a conversation with his father when he was just a little boy. The singer asks his father about the big things his future holds, and his father tells him that he will only start to understand the facts of life when he grows up to be a man. The chorus then follows with the repeated line, "Time will tell, time alone will tell."
As the song progresses, the singer talks about how he's now a lonely man trying to make life on his own. He's never had a happy home, and he's been running ever since the day he was born. He wonders what his gain will be since he's never experienced true happiness. The singer's mother also chimes in with the chorus and reassures him that time alone will tell.
The song concludes with the message that time keeps on changing like the weather and the seasons. Even when mistakes are made, there must be a reason. After every storm, there's got to be a calm. So, the singer decides to wait a while and try to wear a smile. Ultimately, the song's message is one of perseverance and hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Time will tell, time will tell
The future is unpredictable and only time can reveal it.
Time alone will tell
No one can predict the future with certainty; only time can reveal what is to come.
When I was just a little boy only six years old
The singer reflects on a conversation with his father when he was young and curious.
I asked my daddy what big things my future hold
The artist was eager to know what the future had in store for him.
He said, son, when you grow up to be a man
The father advised the artist that he would gain wisdom as he grew older.
The facts of life you will start to understand
As one matures, they begin to comprehend the complexities of life.
Nobody knows just what tomorrow may bring
The future is unknown and full of possibilities.
So I want to tell you now, and listen while I sing
The father wants his son to hear and take his advice.
Now I'm a lonely man trying to make life on my own
The artist reflects on his current struggles as an adult.
Ever since the day I was born, I never have a happy home
The artist implies that his upbringing was unstable and unhappy.
Just like the river, I've been running ever since
The singer compares his journey through life to that of a river constantly moving forward.
The day I was born in that broken down little town
The artist was born into a difficult situation and a tough environment.
I'm wondering now just what my gain will be
The singer is uncertain about the benefits he may reap from his current struggles.
'Cause it seems to me, happiness I'll never see
The singer feels that he may never find happiness in his current situation.
Time keeps on changing like the weather and the seasons
Time is constantly in motion and things change as a result.
For every mistake, mama said there must be a reason
The artist's mother taught him that everything happens for a reason, including mistakes.
After a storm, there's got to be a calm
Things will eventually calm down and improve after a difficult situation or period of time.
So I think I'll wait a while
The singer may be taking a break and waiting for things to improve before making any major changes.
And try to wear a smile
The singer may be trying to remain positive and optimistic despite his struggles.
Time will tell, I know, I know, time will tell
The artist is certain that time will reveal what the future holds.
Said I know time alone will tell
The artist reiterates that only time can reveal what the future has in store.
Time will tell, I believe, time will tell, oh yes, I do
The artist has faith that time will eventually reveal what is to come.
Time alone will tell
No one can predict the future with certainty; only time can reveal what is to come.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nickasia Baillie
Jimmy Cliff is a great 👍 singer. I grew up listening to his music
Powerful song.
Alf Red
Jimmy Cliff's songs are so full of unparalleled wisdom,
richard obeng
Jimmy cliff ,still remains my number one musician,he's simply, the best
David Mitchell
A true classic.
Njaga Njie
Remind me the days when I was younger very nice music and indeed a legend 😊😊😊
Segun Simmons
What a fantastic rendition! Who is still listening in 2020. Jimmy Cliff is awesome! This is both prophetic and philosophical! It dates way back, took me down memory lane as my dad played this over and over in the 70s as we were growing up. Time indeed will tell and it is telling till date. This music shaped our lives as we were taught to be diligent and be the best in whatever we do. The leaders in the government of Nigeria should listen to this.
Wairimu Mutiti
Jimmy Cliff was the father of the Reggae beat. Nobody did it better than him.
Kofi Amonu
Listening in 2020 pandemic
Gabriel Valentim
esse cara é muito bom. Djalma Recife-PE. Brasil 17/07/2020
djRastaJohn
This album is a classic.