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.
Where There Is Love
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No superstar, no police car
Where there is love, it's only right
To walk in light through the darkest night
Where there is love, there is no fear
Where there's love, it takes you anywhere
Where there's love, love, love, I'll be there
Where there is love, oh life's are gloom
But may be it's grown like we all know
Where there is love, there's harmony
And unity comes naturally
Where there is love, there is no fear
Where there's love, it takes you anywhere
Where there's love, love, love, I'll be there
Love [Incomprehensible] long and [Incomprehensible]
Can it go wrong?
Love, envy it not and it's kind
It's yours, it's mine
Whether it's love you understand
Your brethren man giving away
Where there is love, there's no confusion
Only solutions, illusions
Where there is love, there is no fear
Where there's love, it takes you anywhere
Where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love, where there is love
Where there is love
The lyrics of the song "Where There Is Love" by Jimmy Cliff speaks of the power of love in breaking down barriers that divide humanity. The singer asserts that love transcends social hierarchy as it eliminates the need for a superstar or a police car, which symbolizes the dichotomy between the rich and the poor, as well as the oppressor and the oppressed in society. Instead, love brings unity and harmony, which leads to natural cooperation and a sense of brotherhood among people.
The chorus emphasizes that love is an all-encompassing force that conquers fear and ignorance. It allows individuals to overcome any obstacle and to embrace diversity as it takes one anywhere they need to go. The song further describes love's attributes as kindness, generosity, compassion, and selflessness. It beckons us to comprehend the importance of brotherhood as the ultimate goal of life. The lyricist suggests that when there is love, there would be no confusion or illusions, only solutions, suggesting that love can solve almost all of life's problems.
In summary, the song "Where There Is Love" is an ode to the power of love and brotherly harmony in unifying humanity. The track's significance is in its assertion of the foundational necessity of love in all aspects of life, as it brings about equilibrium, dissolves differences, and inspires life itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Where there is love, there is no one
In the presence of love, there is no one person who is greater or more important than another.
No superstar, no police car
There are no individuals who hold a higher status or are more powerful than others in the presence of love.
Where there is love, it's only right
It is natural and correct for love to be present in situations and circumstances.
To walk in light through the darkest night
Even in the toughest of times, love can guide and support people through darkness and despair.
Where there is love, there is no fear
Love can replace fear and anxiety.
Where there's love, it takes you anywhere
Love can lead and inspire individuals to go anywhere or do anything.
Where there's love, love, love, I'll be there
The singer emphasizes his/her willingness to be there for someone who is experiencing or seeking love.
Where there is love, oh life's are gloom
Life can seem dark and unhappy when love is absent.
But may be it's grown like we all know
Love can grow and develop within individuals and communities over time.
Where there is love, there's harmony
Love can promote peaceful coexistence and cooperation among people.
And unity comes naturally
Unity can arise spontaneously and easily in the presence of love.
Love [Incomprehensible] long and [Incomprehensible]
Love is strong and enduring, and can last a long time.
Can it go wrong?
The singer questions whether love can go astray or experience challenges.
Love, envy it not and it's kind
Love is not possessive or jealous, and is characterized by kindness and gentleness.
It's yours, it's mine
Love is something that can be shared and experienced by all individuals, without restriction or exclusion.
Whether it's love you understand
The singer suggests that love is something that can be comprehended and recognized by individuals.
Your brethren man giving away
Love involves giving and sharing with others in one's community.
Where there is love, there's no confusion
Love can eliminate misunderstandings or confusion between people.
Only solutions, illusions
Love can help people find solutions to problems, and can dispel illusions or false perceptions.
Where there is love, where there is love
The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance and centrality of love in various settings and contexts.
Where there is love
The song repeatedly asserts that love is a transformative force that can enhance individual lives and build connections between people.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rosemary Flynn
Timeless...wonderful!
Walter D'souza
Beautiful song by Jimmy Cliff brings back sweet memories. Meaningful song, sweet lyrics and lovely music.
Mathew Black
First time I heard this song at the end of the album "Special" it brought me comfort during a difficult time.
Such a beautiful, beautiful song from the legend and "originator".
Omar Lewis
I love the wonderful vintage music very much, it reminds me of my child days 😇🙏🏾😀💖 ⚽🏃🤸
Omar Lewis
Wonderful vintage music 🎵🎶
Skinner Moses O
Powerful!
2URUDY1
THE BEST
Gunn Cessna
three people have very strange minds.
Hercules Skinny
Because they don't smoke the right weed, let them try Ghana weed, they will think straight 🇬🇭🇬🇭