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.
cant live without you
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
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La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
Baby, I can't live without you
Don't you know?
You've always been beside me
For a moments of my youth
I know deep down inside me
You've always shared the truth
But life is brief and fickle
And all that starts must end
So la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
We've seen a lot together
Sometimes good but mostly bad
Through every change of weather
You're the only one I've had
But life is brief and fickle
And all that starts must end
So la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
The dream that we all live in
The plans we try to make
The treasures we are giving
Are more than we can take
But life is brief and fickle
And all that starts must end
So la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
Baby, I can't live without you
Life is nothing without you
Don't you know?
But life is brief and fickle
And all that starts must end
So la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
The lyrics of Jimmy Cliff's "Can't Live Without You" expresses the singer's deep love for someone they cannot live without. The song opens with soft, humming “la” sounds before Cliff begins singing about how much he needs his partner in life. He states that life without his loved one is worth nothing, and he acknowledges that they have always been there for him through his youth and adulthood. The song suggests that the singer and his partner have seen a lot together, both good and bad, and have weathered every storm. However, the reality of life is that everything comes to an end, sooner or later, no matter how much we love the ones we hold dear.
But the song’s central message is that, even though everything ends, it is still worth living every moment with the ones we love. The dreams we pursue, the plans we make, and the treasures we give may seem more significant, but they pale compared to the value of genuinely loving someone. The lyrics urge listeners not to take the people we love for granted but to cherish every moment spent with them.
Overall, "Can't Live Without You" is a beautiful song about the value of relationships, love and the ephemeral nature of life. While things may not last forever, love and relationships endure even after we leave this world.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I can't live without you
My life cannot exist without you
Life is nothing without you
My life is worthless and futile if you are not with me
Don't you know?
Are you aware of this?
You've always been beside me
You have supported and accompanied me throughout my life
For a moments of my youth
During my younger years
I know deep down inside me
I am aware within myself
You've always shared the truth
You have always been honest with me
But life is brief and fickle
However, life is short and unpredictable
And all that starts must end
Everything that begins has to finish
We've seen a lot together
We have experienced many things as a pair
Sometimes good but mostly bad
These experiences have been positive at times, but mostly negative
Through every change of weather
Despite any circumstance or obstacle
You're the only one I've had
You are my one and only companion
The dream that we all live in
The life that we all experience
The plans we try to make
Our intentions and aspirations
The treasures we are giving
Our gifts and offerings
Are more than we can take
We cannot hold onto these things forever
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GUILLERMO BRIGHT-PLUMMER, JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TeoG
A true musician. It's so refreshing to hear good music after hearing all the rubbish on the radio these days.
Abraham Palmer
Teo Grehan agree 1000% imo roots reggae traditional is the best music for the mind and soul and spirit reggae music is fruit music for your soul
Josephine Olowu
This sums up my pain.
Wambui Kinuthia
Blessjngs, Jimmy cliff great singer mommy raised us on his music.Still handsome.Live the album cover struggling man album cover. MANY OF GODS BLESSINGS.😇😇😇😇😇😇❤❤❤❤🤩🥰💋😼😼😼😼😼😼😼😼😼😼