Our next member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010 is reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff. Eligible since 1988, Cliff was nominated for the first time in 2010, the year of his induction.
Cliff was the second Jamaican to enter the Rock Hall, following Bob Marley in 1994. Three more countrymen and women have been inducted since, but Marley and Cliff remain the only reggae artists recognized by the Hall.
Cliff had his first success at just 17 years old with the independently released song ‘Hurricane Hattie.’ He followed that up with a few other minor hits before signing to Island Records in the late 60s. He recorded his best known songs with the label, including ‘Waterfall,’ ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People, ‘Vietnam,’ and ‘Many Rivers to Cross.’
He was introduced to international audiences when he starred in the 1972 film The Harder They Come, a crime film with a soundtrack that put reggae on its biggest stage yet.
Cliff recorded albums regularly until 2022, and died last November of pneumonia at 81.
🎵 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010 🎵
This post is part of my exploration of every Rock Hall class.
→ Return to the Class of 2010
→ The full list of covered Rock & Roll Hall of Fame classes
Many rivers to cross
But I can’t seem to find my way over
Wandering, I am lost
As I travel along White Cliffs of Dover
[Verse 2]
Many rivers to cross
And it’s only my will that keeps me alive
I’ve been licked, washed up for years
And I merely survive because of my pride
[Bridge]
Oh, that loneliness won’t leave me alone
It’s such a drag to be on your own
My woman left and she didn’t say why
Well, I guess I’ll have to try
[Verse 3]
Many rivers to cross (Many rivers to cross)
But just where to begin? I’m playing for time (I’ve got)
There’ll be times I find myself (Many rivers to cross)
Thinking of committing some dreadful crime (I’ve got)
[Outro]
Yes, I’ve got many rivers to cross (Many rivers to cross)
But I can’t seem to find my way over (I’ve got)
Wandering, I am lost (Many rivers to cross)
As I travel along the White Cliffs of Dover
I’ve heard of Jimmy Cliff but, with the exception of ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’ am unfamiliar with his music.
This is a beauty of a song. I used to compare it unfavorably to the Bob Marley song that goes: “How many rivers have we got to cross?” . Thanks to the lyrics above it’s clear the Cliff song involves personal loss / the Marley a political query. So apples and oranges !
I’ve never heard of Jimmy Cliff but I’ve probably heard his music at some point. Interesting observation above about the meanings of the two songs.
Beauty of a song, and The Harder They Come was an incredible movie as well as an excellent introduction to reggae for the U.S. audience. Essential viewing (and listening).