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.
Vietnam
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Yesterday I got a letter from my friend
Fighting in Vietnam
And this is what he had to say
'Tell all my friends that I'll be coming home soon
My time it'll be up some time in June
Her golden lips as sweet as cherries
And it came from
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
It was just the next day his mother got a telegram
It was addressed from Vietnam
Now mistress Brown, she lives in the USA
And this is what she wrote and said
Don't be alarmed, she told me the telegram said
But mistress Brown your son is dead
And it came from
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Somebody please stop that war now
It was just the next day his mother got a telegram
It was addressed from Vietnam
Now mistress Brown, she lives in the USA
And this is what she wrote and said
Don't be alarmed, she told me the telegram said
Oh, but mistress Brown your son is dead
And it came from
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Somebody please stop it
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
What I'm saying now somebody stop that war
The song "Vietnam" by Jimmy Cliff is a powerful anti-war protest song that expresses the horrors and tragedies of the Vietnam War. The song is about a soldier fighting in Vietnam who writes a letter to his friends and loved ones back home, telling them that he will be coming back soon. However, just the next day, his mother receives a telegram informing her that her son has died in combat. The lyrics emphasize the devastation and senseless loss of life that occurs during war, and how it affects not just the soldiers but their families and loved ones as well.
The repetition of the word "Vietnam" throughout the song serves to emphasize the central theme and message, which is the need to stop the war. The lyrics express a deep sadness and frustration with the ongoing conflict, and a plea for someone to take action to end the violence and bring an end to the war. The song is a powerful commentary on the futility and tragedy of war and its impact on both soldiers and civilians.
Overall, "Vietnam" is a poignant and emotional song that highlights the devastating consequences of war. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the impact of the Vietnam War on soldiers and their families, and the urgent need for peace and an end to the cycle of violence and destruction.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
The repetition of Vietnam highlights the intensity and significance of the war.
Yesterday I got a letter from my friend
Fighting in Vietnam
And this is what he had to say
'Tell all my friends that I'll be coming home soon
My time it'll be up some time in June
Don't forget, he said to tell my sweet Mary
Her golden lips as sweet as cherries
The letter describes the hope of a soldier to return home soon and his affection for his loved ones.
And it came from
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
The repetition of Vietnam reflects the idea that the war is the source of both good and bad news.
It was just the next day his mother got a telegram
It was addressed from Vietnam
Now mistress Brown, she lives in the USA
And this is what she wrote and said
Don't be alarmed, she told me the telegram said
But mistress Brown your son is dead
The poem depicts the sudden and tragic news of a soldier's death in the war and the emotional toll it takes on loved ones.
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam
Somebody please stop that war now
The repetition of Vietnam coupled with the plea to stop the war highlights the song's anti-war sentiment.
What I'm saying now somebody stop that war
The song ends with a call to end the war and prevent any more losses of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gracevu6772
Listening to the song for the first time today. I feel like crying. Such a beautiful, meaningful song!
@margaretmpirirwe3597
Me too
@holzerkarl
@@margaretmpirirwe3597 😁
@holzerkarl
Listen 100099 times
@AlexandreSilva-ig4ty
Don't cry King Fart...
@tikiwaqanivere3425
One of the Best song ever in the history of the World ,thank you Jimmy Cliff
@danscott3880
I Wonder. If my UNCLE BOB has ever heard this song. He was in VIETNAM. 1966 1968. 4TH INFANTRY U.S. ARMY
@emmaunelm.hortongadjicedip838
Thank you Jimmy. This song activates the sad story of soildiers that died in Vietnam for what history records as unjustified.
@courtneyhudson5
😢❤wow! I never thought there was a story in this song. When I was young I listened to this on D.C Cab movie plenty of times...only to get older and realize! Someone didn't come home from the war in Vietnam and sorrow for a family! Many truths in this song about lots of men that didnt come home from that war.May God bless you and keep you from hurt,harm, or danger ❤ in these times 🙏 ❤️ 😊
@almakhtoumndomor8859
''VIETNAM'' de Jimmy Cliff avait mis un terme définitif à la guerre du Vietnam après que les familles des soldats américains ont écouté cette triste chanson et qu'elles se sont révoltées contre le gouvernement américain et demandé le rapatriement sans délais de leurs enfants qui mourraient comme des mouches au Vietnam dans une guerre injuste contre un peuple qui aspirait à la liberté. Suite à ces révoltes causées par Jimmy Cliff, le gouvernement américain a cédé et a quitté le Vietnam en capitulant. On doit la fin de cette sale guerre à cette sublime chanson de Jimmy Cliff. Thanks to Jimmy Cliff the best musical singer of hall times. Love for ever.