The film starred Jimmy Cliff, who plays a role in the film which, in part, is not unlike his own early years. The Harder They Come was the first Jamaican-produced feature film shot in Jamaica with a full Jamaican cast and director. What follows here, is an exploration of the film’s music along with historical background on Jimmy Cliff and the album’s other artists, as well as the film’s producer, Perry Henzell.Ĭover of David Katz’s book, “Jimmy Cliff: An Unauthorized Biography,” 2011. The soundtrack’s selections are also loaded with Jamaican nuance and political meaning, as the lyrics, both directly and between the lines, refer frequently to oppression, inequality, and social injustice. One commentary on the film’s music in 2009 from the blog, DK Presents gave The Harder They Come its top rating, noting: “The soundtrack gathers legendary performances that not only enhance the action of the film, but on their own play out as nothing less than the greatest reggae album of all-time… Whether or not you’re familiar with the movie, this is an impeccable collection that remains the best possible introduction to the genre.” It left a lasting impact and its influence on the music scene continues today. The Harder They Come soon became a favorite dance album at parties across the U.S. The soundtrack became a breakthrough for reggae music in the U.S., introducing many listeners to the distinctive sound for the fist time. And from that point on, the film’s music also began to take off. About a year later, however, it became more popular with audiences in midnight showings. And in the U.S., too, at least with its initial release in February 1973, the film did not receive much notice. “ The Harder They Come is the most important movie ever to come out of the Caribbean,” says iTunes, “and its soundtrack helped put reggae, in all its variants, on the world map.” The effusive iTunes praise for the film may be a bit of a stretch, but the part about the music is right on the money.įirst released in the U.K in 1972, the film was slow to capture much attention. In 1972-73, The Harder They Come, a Jamaican film about a poor country boy who becomes a music star and then a criminal, arrived at the box office with a very upbeat and powerful soundtrack of Jamaican reggae music. I remember when K-ROCK radio station had the premier of "Counterparts" with Geddy Talking about the songs they played 3 songs "Between Sun And Moon" ,Cold Fire" and "Everyday Glory" where he mentioned how Neil was addressing child abuse and a sorta a "seize the day vibe" to it,so actually we are both right lol if your ever in NYC come to my bar I'll buy you a beer.Original album cover for Jimmy Cliff’s “The Harder They Come” soundtrack, July 1972, Island Records. I don't think that Everyday Glory is about child abuse, more about how the good deeds you do for your fellow man every day are more important than you may realize The album is just perfection and way better than "T4E" I think Rush and Peter Collins slacked a bit there with "Limbo",Dog Years,Crave Away The Stone",Time And Motion" not crap songs but just seems like there a bit off like more could've been done,still a great album but when I heard VT years later it blew T4E out of the water and my mind.But hey there isn't a bad or shit Rush album I enjoy them all just ones like "PoW,HYF,T4E,S&A seem to not get played as much on my daily subway rides to work everyday or at home or when I'm in plane traveling Agreed Counterparts was the tits!!! I went nuts when I was at the Virgin store (or was it coconuts) back in October 93 at the midnight release (remember when they did that? So much hanging with fans gettin excited until 12:00am hit and buying it on Vinyl and CD and hearing Animate than slamming into the badass Stick It Out,then on to the killer which should be played live Cut To The Chase,beautiful Nobody's Hero,Between Sun & Moon (very underrated) Alien Shore & Speed Of Love (another song I'd love to hear live), the eerie Double Agent and great live,sweet instrumental Leave That Thing Alone" (although I do prefer "where's My Thing" more),the ripping Cold Fire another fav that should be considered to be brought back and finally the personal (to me at least) about child abuse Everday Glory
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