Four Songs to Celebrate Him
The influential Jamaican singer/songwriter Jimmy Cliff is considered one of the music artists who helped introduce reggae to the world. On July 30, he celebrated his 80th birthday, and his music continues to resonate within the reggae world and beyond.
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Cliff, born James Chambers in St. James parish on Jamaica’s north coast, began his music career as a teenager, recording songs in the ska style, a precursor to reggae. His first international success came in 1968 with “Vietnam,” which Bob Dylan hailed as the greatest protest song ever written. The song appeared on Cliff’s self-titled 1969 album, which also featured his first U.S. chart hit, “Wonderful World, Beautiful People.”
Cliff has gone all over the globe to pass on the mellow, sun-drenched sound.
Cliff’s most influential work includes the songs featured on the soundtrack of the 1972 film The Harder They Come, such as the title track, “Many Rivers to Cross,” and “You Can Get It If You Really Want.” He starred in this acclaimed Jamaican movie, credited with raising global awareness of reggae music.
In 1993, Cliff achieved a Top-20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with a cover of Johnny Nash’s 1972 chart-topper “I Can See Clearly Now.” His version appeared in the movie Cool Runnings, a comedy about Jamaica’s Olympic bobsled team.
In 2003, the Jamaican government honored Cliff with its prestigious Order of Merit award. In 2010, he became the second reggae artist inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, following the late Bob Marley.
To celebrate Cliff’s milestone birthday, here’s a look at four of his memorable songs:
- “Wonderful World, Beautiful People”: This upbeat song combines reggae and pop, offering a positive message of universal unity and peace. It became Cliff’s first Top-40 hit in the U.S. and the U.K., reaching No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on the U.K. singles chart. The song later featured on the soundtrack for The Harder They Come.
- “Many Rivers to Cross”: A soaring, soulful ballad written at a time when Cliff was lamenting the lack of wider acceptance of his music. This song also first appeared on the Jimmy Cliff album. After hearing “Many Rivers to Cross,” The Harder They Come filmmaker Perry Henzell hired Cliff to play the lead in the movie. The song has been covered by artists such as Harry Nilsson, Linda Ronstadt, UB40, Cher, and Joe Cocker.
- “You Can Get It If You Really Want”: This bouncy, upbeat reggae tune, written by Cliff, was released as a single in July 1970. Fellow Jamaican singer Desmond Dekker’s cover of the song became a big hit in the U.K., peaking at No. 2 on the singles chart. The tune’s lyrics encourage perseverance in achieving one’s goals.
