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.
Trapped
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it seems like I'll be wearing the same old pains
But good must conquer evil and truth will set me free
So you see that somewhere I have found the key
Yes, you see that somewhere I have found the key
Well, it seems like I've been sleeping in your bed too long
And it seems like you've been planning to do me wrong
So I know that I'll be walking out again
Yes, I know that I'll be walking out again
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
Well, it seems like I have played the game your way too long
And it seems the game I've played has made you strong
But when this game is over, I won't end up the loser
And I know that I'll be walking out again
Yes, I know that I'll be walking out again
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah, ooh yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
Jimmy Cliff's song "Trapped" is a song about falling into the same patterns of being trapped in a dysfunctional relationship, and going through the steps of realizing the situation and eventually walking out of it. The lyrics describe a situation where the singer feels that he has been caught in a trap of repeating the same patterns with his partner, leading him to a cycle of pain and misery. He acknowledges that good conquers evil and truth will set him free, indicating that he has realized that the relationship is not serving him well.
The lyrics suggest that the singer has been sleeping in his partner's bed for too long and that she has been planning to do him wrong. He recognizes that evil must be disintegrated and he will be walking out of the relationship again, indicating that this is not the first time he has found himself in this situation.
The singer then talks about playing the game his partner's way for too long, resulting in her becoming stronger in the relationship. But he knows that he won't be the loser when the game is over, and that he will be walking out again. This reinforces the notion that he has been in this situation before and has come out of it, and is now looking to do so again.
Overall, "Trapped" is a relatable song for anyone who has gone through a toxic relationship and realized that they deserve better. It encourages listeners to recognize the patterns that keep them trapped in cycles of pain and to find the strength to break free.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it seems like I'm falling in your trap again
I feel like I'm being deceived by you again
And it seems like I'll be wearing the same old pains
I know you'll cause me the same hurt as before
But good must conquer evil and truth will set me free
I have faith that what's right will win and I'll be freed from your deception
So you see that somewhere I have found the key
I've discovered a way to overcome your deceit
Well, it seems like I've been sleeping in your bed too long
I've trusted you for too long and it's time to leave
And it seems like you've been planning to do me wrong
I suspect you've been plotting against me
But evil concentrated must be disintegrated
Your wickedness will be destroyed
So I know that I'll be walking out again
I'm sure I'll leave you behind and move on
Well, it seems like I have played the game your way too long
I've followed your rules for too long
And it seems the game I've played has made you strong
Your scheming has made you more powerful
But when this game is over, I won't end up the loser
I won't let you have the final victory
And I know that I'll be walking out again
I'm certain that I'll be leaving you behind for good
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
I feel trapped and helpless
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
I'm stuck in this unhealthy situation
Trapped, ooh yeah, trapped, ooh yeah
I can't seem to break free from your deception
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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