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.
World Upside Down
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I say the world is upside down
They say the world is spinning around
I say the world is upside down
Oh yeah, all right
Looking at the world today
So much war and poverty
While few enjoy prosperity
They say the world is spinning around
I say the world is upside down
They say the world is spinning around
I say the world is upside down
Oh yeah, all right
Looking at the world I agree
Oh what fools we mortals be
Morality is in demise
Immorality is on the rise
They say the world is spinning around
I say the world is upside down
They say the world is spinning around
I say the world is upside down
Oh yeah, too much injustice
How can there be peace?
Religious hypocrisy
Political tyranny
You see it my
What about the children now?
Hey
They say the world is spinning around
I say the world is upside down
They say the world is spinning around
I say the world is upside down
They say the world is spinning around
I say the world is upside down
They say the world is s?inning around
I say the world is upside down
Oh yeah,
Crime and violence
Poverty and starvation
Ecological calamity
Economic instability
What’s wrong with humanity?
Have they lost their sanity?
For the love of vanity
What about the love, love now?
You know that we need it
What about the love, love, love yeah
In Jimmy Cliff's song "World Upside Down," the singer argues that the world is not simply spinning, as many people believe, but, instead, is completely turned on its head. The lyrics highlight the prevalence of poverty and war, as well as the decline of morality and the rise of immorality. Cliff asserts that too much injustice exists in the world, and that issues such as religious hypocrisy, political tyranny, crime, violence, poverty, and ecological calamities have become all too common. The singer implores his listeners to consider the children, who are often the most vulnerable in such situations.
The lyrics of Cliff's song demonstrate a critical commentary on the world and contemporary society. Through his condemnation of injustice and his call for love and unity, Cliff highlights the problems that exist in the world and offers a plea for change. The song is an example of social protest music, which uses music as means of critiquing societal issues and promoting social change.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the world is spinning around
The status quo is acceptable.
I say the world is upside down
The situation is troubling.
Oh yeah, all right
Asserting agreement with the previous verse.
Looking at the world today
Observing current events.
I am implored to say
I feel compelled to speak up.
So much war and poverty
Many suffer from conflict and financial struggle.
While few enjoy prosperity
A small privileged group benefits from others' misery.
Looking at the world I agree
Confirming previous observation.
Oh what fools we mortals be
We are foolish human beings.
Morality is in demise
Moral values are declining.
Immorality is on the rise
Immoral behaviors are increasing.
Oh yeah, too much injustice
Acknowledging the prevalence of injustice.
How can there be peace?
Questioning the possibility of peace.
Religious hypocrisy
People of faith acting in contradiction to their beliefs.
Political tyranny
Oppressive use of political power.
You see it my
Acknowledging the injustice previously mentioned.
What about the children now?
Considering the impact on children.
Hey
An interjection to grab attention.
Crime and violence
Physical harm caused by others.
Poverty and starvation
Lack of basic needs and hunger.
Ecological calamity
Environmental disaster.
Economic instability
Financial insecurity.
What’s wrong with humanity?
Questioning the actions of humanity.
Have they lost their sanity?
Asking if people have gone insane.
For the love of vanity
For the pursuit of self-interest.
What about the love, love now?
A call for love and compassion.
You know that we need it
Highlighting the necessity of love.
What about the love, love, love yeah
Emphasizing the need for love.
Lyrics © CALDERWOOD, INC., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JOSEPH BENJAMIN HIGGS
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