During 1967 Osbourne became lead vocalist of The Wildcats, and recorded for producer Winston Riley, although nothing was issued. The Wildcats' manager then financed a session at Coxsone Dodd's Studio One, from which his debut single, "All I Have Is Love", was released. In 1969 he recorded an album, Come Back Darling, again for Riley. On the day that he completed the album, Osbourne emigrated to Toronto, Canada, to join his family. After singing with various soul and reggae groups, he became lead vocalist for Ishan People, and recorded two albums with them. The group broke up in 1979, and Osbourne decided to return to Jamaica.[2]
Shortly after returning, he recorded "Forgive Them" and "Jealousy, Heartache And Pain" for the Studio One label. Through late 1979 and early 1980 he recorded extensively for Dodd, with these sessions culminating in Truths And Rights. In 1979 he also had a hit for King Jammy (then Prince Jammy) with "Folly Ranking", and an album of the same name followed in 1980. The success of these recordings made him one of the most in-demand vocalists on the island, and a glut of material was released, including Fally Lover, Warrior, Innah Disco Style and Never Stop Fighting, between 1980 and 1982. In 1983, he began the year with two big hits, "Yo Yo" and "Lend Me A Chopper", and later in the year enjoyed further success with "Water Pumping", an adaptation of Hopeton Lewis' "Take It Easy", which had also served as the basis for Johnny Clarke's 1976 hit "Rockers Time Now".
The hits continued with "Get Cracking", "Check For You", "Rewind" (1984), "Buddy Bye", "No Sound Like We" and "In The Area" (1985). In the late 1980s he was particularly successful when recording for Bobby Digital, and had hits with "Good Time Rock" (1988) and "Rude Boy Skank" (1988), both of which are included on his 1989 album, Rougher Than Them. Throughout the 80s he continued to record for Coxsone Dodd, and singles included "Keep That Light", "Unity" and "A We Run Things", but a long-promised second album from Dodd has not materialized.
Can't Buy Love
Johnny Osbourne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll buy you a diamond ring, my friend
If it makes you feel alright
I'll get you anything, my friend
If it makes you feel alright
For I don't care too much for money
For money can't buy me love
I'll give you all I got to give
I may not have a lot to give
What I got, I'll give to you
For I don't care too much for money
For money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love
No, no, no, no
Say you don't need no diamond ring
And I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want those kind of things
That money just can't buy
For I don't care too much for money
For money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love
Everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love
No, no, no, no
Say you don't need no diamond ring
And I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want those kind of things
That money just can't buy
For I don't care too much for money
For money can't buy me love
Can't buy me love
Can't buy me love
The lyrics of Johnny Osbourne's song "Can't Buy Me Love" are about the idea that money cannot buy happiness or love. The song opens with the line "I'll buy you a diamond ring, my friend, if it makes you feel alright" which suggests the idea of materialism and that one can compensate for love with material items. However, the chorus repeats the phrase "can't buy me love" which underscores the theme of the song. The lyrics suggest that love is not something that can be bought, and that true love and happiness are not quantifiable by money or material possessions.
The lyrics then shift towards an expression of commitment and sharing, with the lines "I'll give you all I got to give, if you say you love me too" and "what I got, I'll give to you". Here, the lyrics suggest that true love is about giving and sharing, rather than acquiring or possessing. This perspective is further emphasized in the lines "say you don't need no diamond ring, and I'll be satisfied" and "tell me that you want those kind of things, that money just can't buy". This section of the lyrics suggests that happiness and love are about being content with what one has and sharing experiences together.
Overall, the lyrics of "Can't Buy Me Love" convey a message that money cannot buy love or happiness. Rather, true love is about giving and sharing, and finding happiness in simple experiences that money cannot buy.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't buy me love
Love cannot be purchased with money
I'll buy you a diamond ring, my friend
I will purchase a diamond ring for you, my companion
If it makes you feel alright
If it brings you satisfaction
I'll get you anything, my friend
I will obtain anything you desire, my companion
For I don't care too much for money
Money is not of great importance to me
For money can't buy me love
Because love cannot be purchased with money
I'll give you all I got to give
I will provide you with all that I have to offer
If you say you love me too
If you express your affection towards me also
I may not have a lot to give
I may not possess an abundance of resources
What I got, I'll give to you
I will donate to you what I possess
Can't buy me love
Love cannot be purchased with money
Everybody tells me so
Many individuals inform me about this
Say you don't need no diamond ring
State that you do not require a diamond ring
And I'll be satisfied
I will be content
Tell me that you want those kind of things
Express that you desire those types of items
That money just can't buy
That cannot be obtained through currency
Can't buy me love
Love cannot be purchased with money
No, no, no, no
No, not at all
Contributed by Jackson A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Kvvz_
I'm 16 and I genuinely like this kind of music
@dexty3956
This is proper music
@56postoffice
The dub on this is absolute murder. Gwaaaaan!!!
@beverleybrathwaite1249
Keep Rising Jah People 💎
@samuelaguiar1621
His accent is very beautiful 👏🔥
@avehicleremarketingltd660
I CAN'T BELIEVE THE MEMORIES AND EMOTIONS THESE TUNES BRING BACK, NEARLY 50,,, AND CANT GET TO GRIPS WID SOME OF THIS NEW CRAP,,,
@56postoffice
Absolutely. The new stuff have nothing positive to say. That's why these riddims are still ruling 50 years on.
@RedGoldGreen-Dub
Beautiful tune ❤🔥
@mathiaslehmann1004
one of my absolute fav. jah bless the riddim selecta
@kirsyrosa2595
Good Morning Mathew