Jimmy Cliff, the singer and actor whose mellifluous voice helped to turn reggae into a global phenomenon, has died aged 81.
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae singer, actor and cultural icon, dies aged 81
-- The Guardian (@theguardian.com) Nov 24, 2025 at 6:48 AM
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I readily admit, I am not a reggae fan. I dabble in listening to some reggae tunes from time to time, but it is not the main music genre I listen to.
But this song from Mr Cliff stands out for me.
I still remember it quite distinctly from back in the day...
Jimmy Cliff - Wonderful World, Beautiful People (1969)
www.youtube.com
... "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" is a single by Jimmy Cliff. Released in October 1969, it became a top-ten hit in the UK. It was a hit in other countries as well.
Background
"Wonderful World, Beautiful People" was released by Trojan Records on October 24, 1969.[1]
The song was composed by Jimmy Cliff and produced by Leslie Kong. The song is about what the world could be. Politicians Harold Wilson and Richard Nixon are mentioned in the song.[2] It was a first hit for the Trojan label ...
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
[Verse 1]
Take a look at the world
And the state that it's in today
I am sure you'll agree
We all could make it a better way
With our love, put together
Everybody learn to love each other
Instead of fussing and fighting
Cheating, backbiting
Scandalizing and hating
Baby, we could have a
[Chorus]
Wonderful world, beautiful people
You and your girl, things could be pretty
But underneath this there is a secret
That nobody can reveal
[Verse 2]
Man and woman, girl and boy
Let us try to give a helping hand
This I know and I'm sure
That with love we all could understand
This is our world, can't you see?
Everybody wants to live and be free
[Pre-Chorus]
Instead of fussing and fighting
Cheating, backbiting
Scandalizing and hating
We could have a
[Chorus]
Wonderful world, beautiful people
You and your girl, things could be pretty
But underneath this there is a secret
That nobody can reveal
[Outro]
Talking about the
Wonderful world, beautiful people
You and your girl, talking about you
Things could be pretty, talking about me
Wonderful world, talking about Nixon
Beautiful people, Harold Wilson
Wonderful world, power too
Beautiful people, and the Seagate
...
Yeah, that song made an impression upon this teen back in the day.
R.I.P. James Chambers, and thank-you for the inspiration.
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