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Reggae/Ska Superstar Jimmy Cliff Gone At 81
I remember him from his one big hit on the Top 40 charts, "Wonderful World, Beautiful People," from 1969.
But Jimmy Cliff was a legend for those who loved ska and reggae and helped popularize the sound along with fellow superstar Bob Marley. He was also an actor and had a minor hit in North America that some might remember called "You Can Get It If You Really Want It."
And it turns out he did.
Cliff was 81.
Jimmy Cliff, reggae music pioneer, dies at 81
- Radiowiz
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Re: Reggae/Ska Superstar Jimmy Cliff Gone At 81
When I think of Jimmy Cliff, I think one of his biggest hits might be I can see clearly now.
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Re: Reggae/Ska Superstar Jimmy Cliff Gone At 81
Yes, that was one of his hits, but I believe the bigger version in North America was by Johnny Nash. I have the latter on a 45 somewhere and it's still one of my all time favourites.
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Thread Starter- mace
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Re: Reggae/Ska Superstar Jimmy Cliff Gone At 81
Radiowiz wrote:
When I think of Jimmy Cliff, I think one of his biggest hits might be I can see clearly now.
Cliff's version peaked at #18 on the Hot 100 in 1973. Johnny Nash's original went to #1 in 1972. Wasn't there another version where I guy was involved with two women and couldn't choose. I think it was called "I Can See Claire Now, Lorraine Is Gone"
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Re: Reggae/Ska Superstar Jimmy Cliff Gone At 81
Cliff's version peaked at #18 on the Hot 100 in 1973. Johnny Nash's original went to #1 in 1972. Wasn't there another version where I guy was involved with two women and couldn't choose. I think it was called "I Can See Claire Now, Lorraine Is Gone"
That is one of my favourite puns and with apologies to Lorne's Oldies Board, which published it first, here's the original, which works even better. It's genuis, I tell ya, genius!
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Thread Starter- Radiowiz
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Re: Reggae/Ska Superstar Jimmy Cliff Gone At 81
When I think of Jimmy Cliff, I think one of his biggest hits might be I can see clearly now.
Cliff's version peaked at #18 on the Hot 100 in 1973. Johnny Nash's original went to #1 in 1972. Wasn't there another version where I guy was involved with two women and couldn't choose. I think it was called "I Can See Claire Now, Lorraine Is Gone"
Jimmy Cliff's version of "I Can See Clearly Now" charted on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1994, reaching No. 18 and spending 25 weeks on the chart. The song was first released in October 1993 as part of the soundtrack for the movie Cool Runnings. It was the first time in 25 years that a Jimmy Cliff single had made it onto the Hot 100, and it remains his highest-charting single in the United States.
Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" was at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four weeks in 1972. The song first reached the top spot on November 4, 1972.
- The single was released in 1972.
- It reached number one on November 4, 1972.
- It remained at the number one position for four weeks.
So what's really better? 4 weeks at number 1? OR 25 weeks on the chart?
Last edited by Radiowiz (November 24, 2025 11:12 am)