You’ve probably heard it in a commercial for a bank, or maybe during the credits of a feel-good indie movie. It’s that upbeat, organ-driven reggae bounce that makes everything feel like it's gonna be okay. But if you actually sit down and read the you can get it if you really want it lyrics, you'll realize it isn't just some fluffy "hang in there" poster from a middle school counselor's office. It’s actually kinda gritty.
Jimmy Cliff wrote this for the 1972 film The Harder They Come, and honestly, the song is a bit of a Trojan horse. It sounds like a sunshine-filled day in Kingston, but it’s actually about the relentless, sometimes soul-crushing grind of trying to make it when the world is actively trying to keep you down.
What the Lyrics are Actually Saying
Most people just hum the chorus. It’s catchy. "You can get it if you really want, but you must try, try and try, try and try." Simple, right? But look at the second verse. Cliff sings about how "Rome was not built in a day" and warns that "opposition will come your way."
He’s not being cynical; he’s being a realist.
The song acknowledges that wanting something isn't enough. The lyrics emphasize the persecution and the hardships that come before the win. In the context of the movie—where Cliff plays Ivanhoe Martin, a struggling musician who turns into a folk-hero outlaw—the song represents a desperate ambition. It’s about a guy who has nothing and is told he can have everything if he just refuses to quit. It’s a classic underdog story set to a rocksteady beat.
The Desmond Dekker Connection
Here’s a fun bit of trivia that messes with people: Jimmy Cliff wrote it, but Desmond Dekker actually had the first big hit with it in 1970. Dekker’s version is a bit faster, more of a ska-leaning track that hit Number 2 on the UK charts.
Cliff’s version, released a couple of years later, is the one that really stuck in the global consciousness because of the movie's soundtrack. The soundtrack to The Harder They Come is basically the reason reggae became a global phenomenon before Bob Marley even blew up. If you compare the two versions, Dekker’s feels like a celebration, while Cliff’s feels more like a personal manifesto.
Why We Keep Coming Back to These Lyrics
Success is hard.
That’s the core message. In a world of "overnight" TikTok stars and instant gratification, the you can get it if you really want it lyrics serve as a reminder that the "trying" part is a repetitive, annoying, and long-term process. Cliff repeats the word "try" so many times for a reason. It’s meant to feel like a cycle.
- You want something.
- You try.
- You fail.
- You try again.
He mentions that "the cup will run over" eventually. It’s a biblical reference, sure, but in the song, it feels more like a promise of eventual abundance after a period of drought. It’s the "keep your head up" anthem for anyone working a job they hate while chasing a dream they love.
The Political Weight of a Reggae Classic
You can't talk about these lyrics without talking about Jamaica in the early 70s. The country was navigating post-colonial identity, poverty, and political upheaval. When Cliff sings about getting "your share" of what's out there, he’s talking about economic justice. It’s about the "have-nots" finally getting a seat at the table.
It’s easy to strip the song of its radical roots and turn it into a corporate motivational track, but that ignores the struggle baked into the verses. When he says "you'll succeed at last," he's talking to people who have been told "no" their entire lives.
Breaking Down the Key Verses
Let’s look at the bridge. Cliff sings: "I know it, I can feel it / Within my soul / I've got to reach / My goal."
This isn't logic. This is intuition. He’s describing that weird, internal fire that keeps you going when your bank account is empty and your car won't start. It’s about the internal conviction required to overcome external obstacles.
Then there’s the line about "persecution you must bear." That’s a heavy word for a pop song. Persecution. It implies that people aren't just indifferent to your success; they are actively working against it. It’s a reminder that the path to whatever "it" is—a career, a relationship, a personal goal—isn't just a straight line. It's a fight.
Different Interpretations Over the Decades
Over the years, the song has been covered by everyone from Joe Strummer of The Clash to Miley Cyrus. Strummer’s version brought out the punk-rock defiance in the lyrics. He saw it as a song about rebellion.
On the other hand, when it's used in commercials, the "persecution" lines are usually edited out. They focus on the "you can get it" part because that sells products. But the soul of the song stays in those verses about the struggle. Without the struggle, the victory mentioned in the chorus doesn't mean anything.
How to Apply the "Jimmy Cliff Philosophy" Today
If you’re looking at these lyrics because you’re feeling stuck, there’s a practical takeaway here. The song suggests that wanting something is a prerequisite, but the "really" in "really want it" is defined by your willingness to endure the "try, try, and try" phase.
Most people quit during the second "try."
Cliff’s lyrics suggest that the "it" you’re chasing is actually available, but the price of admission is persistence. It’s a very stoic message wrapped in a major key. You can't control the opposition, but you can control your refusal to stop.
Finding the Best Version to Listen To
If you want the raw energy, go for the The Harder They Come soundtrack version. The production is a bit lo-fi, but Cliff’s vocals are desperate and hopeful all at once. If you want something to dance to, the Desmond Dekker version is the way to go.
Either way, pay attention to the percussion. That steady beat is meant to mimic the heartbeat of someone who is just... keeping... going.
Actionable Steps for Your Own "Try" Phase
If you're using this song as your personal soundtrack, don't just listen to the chorus. Internalize the "Rome wasn't built in a day" philosophy. Here’s how to actually use the energy of the you can get it if you really want it lyrics in your real life:
- Audit your "want." Do you actually want the thing, or do you just like the idea of it? The lyrics suggest that "really" wanting it is a high bar.
- Expect the "Opposition." Don't be surprised when things go wrong. Cliff told us they would. Expecting resistance makes it less jarring when it arrives.
- Embrace the repetition. Success is often boring. It’s the "try, try, try" part. Focus on the process of trying rather than the final "getting it."
- Listen to the full soundtrack. To understand the song, you have to understand the movie. Watch The Harder They Come. It provides the necessary context for why these lyrics are so defiant.
The song is a masterpiece because it doesn't lie to you. It tells you that the world is hard, people will be against you, and it will take a long time. But it also tells you that, despite all that, the goal is still reachable. It’s the ultimate balance of pragmatism and optimism.
To really get the most out of this track, try listening to it next time you face a rejection. Instead of seeing the rejection as a stop sign, see it as one of the "oppositions" Cliff was talking about. It’s just part of the song.
