Harder They Come by Jimmy Cliff

Album: Harder They Come (1972)

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Songfacts®:

This was written by Cliff and was used in the Jamaican-produced film of the same name. The movie starred Cliff as a naive country boy who goes to town and becomes a gangster. The film contains two other songs written by Cliff, "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" and "Wonderful World Beautiful People."
The song tells you that no matter how hard life can be you can still succeed. Cliff stars in the film as Ivanhoe Martin and helps out at the local church. He is seen in the film recording the title track, "Harder They Come." He gets ripped off by the producer and ends up on the wrong side of the law, eventually dying in a shoot out with the police. It's a cracking film with a killer sound track! >>>
Suggestion credit:
Martyn - Walsoll, England

Comments: 8

Ted from Phoenix, AzI think a comment I read in Rolling Stone magazine sums up this song very nicely: it's about eternal rebellion. "The harder they come, the harder they fall, one and all...."
David from Youngstown, OhI agree with Brian and own the movie soundtrack - one of the 10 greatest records of all-time. The movie is very good. Cliff also sings Sitting In Limbo on the soundtrack. The movie was done with Cliff's heavy Jamaican accent and then redone with an English language overdub. On the soundtrack, this song and You Can Get It If You Really Want are played two times.
Brian from La Mesa, CaI haven't seen the film in a while, but doesn't it feature the Cliff songs, "Many River to Cross" and "You Can Get It if You Really Want"?
Paul from Jersey City, NjJoe Jackson ("Beat Crazy", "I'm the Man","Will Power",etc.)aslo covered this song.
Chelle from Chicago, IlThere is also a cover by the band Guster.
Tim from Rl, Israelyes, it was covered by punk rock band rancid at a Free Tibet concert or something like that
Joel from Montreal, CanadaJerry Garcia covered this song many times on various tours with the Jerry Garcia Band in the 80's.
Krie from Ft. Drum, NyThis was also once covered by the punk band Rancid, I believe. (I *think* it was Rancid, I'll have to go look at the CD it's on...)

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