Song of the Day: You Can Get Jimmy Cliff If You Really Want

Jimmy Cliff still jumping, plus Springsteen and Hoffs.

Was great to see Jimmy Cliff featured in the Paul Simon tribute on CBS on Wednesday night (you can catch up with it on Paramount +). True, as many have observed, Rhiannon Giddens singing “American Tune” with Paul on guitar near the finale was the highlight, although all of the Graceland material was swell. But loved Jimmy doing “Mother and Child Reunion” which nearly half a century ago helped take reggae mainstream in the USA—a much needed breath of fresh air—after Jimmy busted down the doors with The Harder They Come. That movie and especially the soundtrack brought Bob Marley (the greater artist) to America at last. So you can’t overstate Jimmy’s influence on post-1972 music.

To jump start your holiday weekend when you probably need a spring in your step here is how “You Can Get It If You Really Want” hit us right out of the opening of that movie. Plus a cool clip from the film where he does “The Harder They Come.” And the same song with Jimmy joining Bruce and the E Street Band. BONUS: Given the weather and time of year, here’s Susanna Hoffs at the Simon tribute doing her old Bangles hit “Hazy Shade of Winter.” Look around, leaves are brown, there’s a patch of snow on the ground….Then subscribe, it’s still a free gift for the holidays!