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.
Under the Sun Moon and Stars
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But when I work I must get paid
You don't know the sound I'm tryin' to tell you
Listen, try to understand, listen
My forparents worked, from sun-up, 'til sun-down
Peace could not be found now they're under the ground
I've heard them complain and cried out in pain
Won't happen to me, I'm not blind, you see
I've got to be free, I want it right here on earth
Got to have some fun, 'for my life is done
Let happiness run under the sun, moon and stars
Under the sun, under the moon, under the stars, wherever you are
Got to have some fun under the sun, moon and stars
Got to get some fun under the sun, moon and stars
Don't want it on Venus, Saturn nor Uranus
Don't want it on Pluto, I want it right here on earth
Don't want it on Jupiter, Neptune nor on Mercury
Don't want it on Mars, but under the sun, moon and stars
Under the sun, under the moon, under the stars, wherever you are
Got to have some fun under the sun, moon and stars
Let happiness run under the sun, moon and stars
So you didn't understand what I was tryin' to tell you
Got tell you one more time, listen
Under the sun, under the moon, under the stars, wherever you are
Got to have some fun under the sun, moon and stars
Let happiness run under the sun, moon and stars
Got to find some peace under the sun, moon and stars
Each and everyone under the sun, moon and stars
The song "Under The Sun Moon And Stars" by Jimmy Cliff is an optimistic and lively tune that celebrates the value of hard work, fun, and freedom. The lyrics start off by emphasizing the importance of being paid for one's labor, and the desire for a happy and peaceful life. The singer then reflects on the struggles of their ancestors, who worked tirelessly but never found peace in their lifetime. The singer acknowledges the pain and struggle of the past generation but also celebrates their freedom and the fact that they have been able to find joy in their lives. He declares his own determination to have fun, find peace, and enjoy life under the sun, moon, and stars.
Overall, the song is a declaration of hope and positivity in the face of adversity. It acknowledges the difficulties of life but stresses the importance of finding happiness and enjoying it to the fullest. The lyrics urge listeners to live life fully and appreciate the simple things in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, as I was sayin', I like work, you know
I enjoy working, but I also believe I should receive compensation for my work.
But when I work I must get paid
It is important that I receive payment for my labor.
You don't know the sound I'm tryin' to tell you
It is difficult to articulate my message to you.
Listen, try to understand, listen
Please pay attention and attempt to comprehend my message.
My forparents worked, from sun-up, 'til sun-down
My ancestors had to work all day, from sunrise to sunset.
Peace could not be found now they're under the ground
They were unable to find peace in their lives, and have now passed away.
I've heard them complain and cried out in pain
I have listened to them express dissatisfaction and suffer physical agony.
Seeking peaceful gain under the sun, moon and stars
They were endeavoring to achieve a sense of tranquility, even if it was only under the natural celestial bodies.
Won't happen to me, I'm not blind, you see
I am aware of the situation and will not allow it to happen to me.
I've got to be free, I want it right here on earth
I crave freedom and seek to attain it in this earthly existence.
Got to have some fun, 'for my life is done
It is imperative that I enjoy myself before I die.
Let happiness run under the sun, moon and stars
I hope to discover joy in the natural world around me.
Don't want it on Venus, Saturn nor Uranus
I am not interested in finding happiness on other planets.
Don't want it on Pluto, I want it right here on earth
I do not seek satisfaction on dwarf planets, but rather here on our own planet.
Don't want it on Jupiter, Neptune nor on Mercury
I do not desire happiness on gas giants nor small rocky planets.
Don't want it on Mars, but under the sun, moon and stars
Mars, another planet, does not hold my happiness; it is found under the celestial sky.
Got to find some peace under the sun, moon and stars
I aim to discover a sense of tranquility in nature.
Each and everyone under the sun, moon and stars
All individuals hope to achieve contentment within the natural splendor of our world.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aframaco9491
Sam , yes I imagine that Bob Marley’s music was probably a lot more scarce in Southern Africa because of the dubious racist/ apartheid regimes further south!
In Nigeria, we discovered Bob Marley’s music as early as 1973, with the Burnin album!
By 1976, we had Bob Marley’s Rastaman Vibration album advertised on huge Billboards in Lagos!
We knew Jimmy Cliff too, as far back as 1969!
Nigerians are forward like that!
@zsuzsakalmar5467
Under the Sun, Moon and Stars
Jimmy Cliff
Yes, as I was sayin', I like work, you know
But when I work I must get paid
You don't know the sound I'm tryin' to tell you
Listen, try to understand, listen
My forparents worked, from sun-up, 'til sun-down
Peace could not be found now they're under the ground
I've heard them complain and cried out in pain
Seeking peaceful gain under the sun, moon and stars
Won't happen to me, I'm not blind, you see
I've got to be free, I want it right here on earth
Got to have some fun, 'for my life is done
Let happiness run under the sun, moon and stars
Under the sun, under the moon, under the stars, wherever you are
Got to have some fun under the sun, moon and stars
Got to get some fun under the sun, moon and stars
Don't want it on Venus, Saturn nor Uranus
Don't want it on Pluto, I want it right here on earth
Don't want it on Jupiter, Neptune nor on Mercury
Don't want it on Mars, but under the sun, moon and stars
Under the sun, under the moon, under the stars, wherever you are
Got to have some fun under the sun, moon and stars
Let happiness run under the sun, moon and stars
So you didn't understand what I was tryin' to tell you
Got tell you one more time, listen
Under the sun, under the moon, under the stars, wherever you are
Got to have some fun under the sun, moon and stars
Let happiness run under the sun, moon and stars
Got to find some peace under the sun, moon and stars
Each and everyone under the sun, moon and stars
@amaefunaudechukwu8111
😢😢in 2024, I am 56 , I still love Jimmy Cliff and his music
@leonardsichimba5058
Am 62 and I still enjoy listening to Jimmy Cliff ,since he visited Zambia in the 70s
@mauricemzwinila8041
Leonard , I'm 72 my brother , been listening to this guy's music since the '70s...and still listening to it ! There you go.....
@mauricemzwinila8041
You got it my brother !
@lindseyheru6754
I grew up in my mother business in that time,she owned a d.j. set, employed d.j,s to used the set free for party in the pool hall. The world will know how i feel under the sun,moon and stars. Jimmy cliff.i am alive and this song will live forever.
@johnsunkutu141
This is pure gold we are being treated to,,l have been listening to Jimmy cliff since 1972, and this is 2022 imagine!!!
@mauricemzwinila8041
S you and I were rockin' to Jimmy's music in the '70s my brother
@rebm3058
One of his great songs really underrated but I love this song play it over and over but I was under 10 years old when it was released. My parents loved Jimmy Cliff. So listened and really love his music
@josephineolowu2546
Love Jimmy cliff, who else is loving him in 2020?
@peacemonger6432
At 64, I have been listening this music for quite some time. I grew up with Jimmy Cliff. Well, I was 17 when I first got into him.