The film of the same name was released simultaneously late in 1972. Directed by Jamaican native Perry Henzell, it starred burgeoning reggae star Jimmy Cliff (www.jimmycliff.com) as anti-hero Ivanhoe Martin. This character was based upon a real-life criminal called Rhyging who achieved notoriety in the Jamaican underworld of the 1940s.
The movie pulls few punches about the realities of life in the Kingston slums of the 1970s. The plot mirrors Cliff's own career to a degree in that Ivanhoe becomes a reggae singer on the cusp of success. From here, things get much darker. He discovers he has to sign away his rights for the sake of a hit and later gets drawn into the murky world of drug dealing.
The Harder They Come: Influence on The Clash's Guns of Brixton
The film's stark message certainly struck a chord with the early British Punk movement. Its' soundtrack, too, proved an enduring reference point. The Clash, especially, picked up on the film's 'outsider' vibe, and their militant punky-reggae gangster classic 'Guns of Brixton' is heavily influenced by Ivanhoe Martin's story.
The Harder They Come's soundtrack remains as timeless as ever. Naturally, Jimmy Cliff's songs dominate and they're still among his career highlights. The gorgeous, summery pop-reggae of You Can Get It If You Really Want hasn't aged a day while the hymnal Many Rivers To Cross features a superlative, soul-enhanced vocal. It's Cliff's signature song to this very day.
The Melodians' Definitive Version of the Boney M Hit Rivers of Babylon
The remainder of the performances are equally inspired. Rivers of Babylon would later be popularised by Boney M, but the definitive version appears here courtesy of sweet '70s vocal group The Melodians. The seamier side of gangster life in 1970s Jamaica is vividly represented by Ska giant Desmond Dekker's 007(Shanty Town) and The Slickers' gritty Johnny Too Bad.
Admittedly, The Harder They Come's songs are sometimes a little smoother and poppier than the hardline Rasta-inspired sounds of the time. But even the sweeter, Rocksteady-style songs like The Maytals Sweet & Dandy and Jimmy Cliff's Sitting In Limbo present beautifully crafted pop tunes and a great introduction to Jamaican sounds for the uninitiated Western ear.
Jimmy Cliff's Soundtrack Hits Covered By Keith Richards, Madness & Joe Strummer
The Harder They Come has enjoyed a healthy afterlife. It came in at 119 in the coveted Rolling Stone magazine (www.rollingstone.com) All Time 500 Albums list in 2003. Its' songs have been covered by artists as influential as Joe Cocker, Keith Richards, Madness and Joe Strummer and it would be scripted for the London stage in 2006.
Neither the film or soundtrack quite managed to elevate Jimmy Cliff to international superstar status, although he remains a cult favourite to this day. He still demands recognition for The Harder They Come, however. Nearly four decades on, it's a landmark release any self-respecting Reggae fan needs to have in their collection.
Tim Peacock - Tim has been involved in Rock Music journalism for the past twenty years. He was a staff writer with the popular U.K weekly publication ...
