In 1972 Jimmy Cliff recorded Trapped produced by Cat Stevens.

A year earlier, Jimmy Cliff had covered Stevens’ massive hit Wild World.

While Trapped didn’t do well on the charts, American rocker Bruce Springsteen decided to put his own spin on the track with a live version which topped Billboard’s Top Rock Tracks chart in 1985.

A newer version was later re-recorded by Jimmy Cliff in 1989 and was included on the album Images.

Singer Richie Stephens released his version of Trapped in January and since its release the song has impacted radio and the charts.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday, Stephens explained his decision to cover the song.

“I started my journey on the north coast as the lead singer of a band, and Trapped was one of my go-to songs to perform”, said Stephens.

“I was asked to perform at Jimmy Cliff’s funeral and I said that would be a tremendous honour, but ‘Please I would love to sing Trapped, the version by Bruce Springsteen.’ Some artistes at the funeral suggested that I record a cover based on the reaction from people at the funeral,” he said.

Produced by Stephens and featuring a handful of what he calls “greatest musicians”, the song was recorded at both the Pot of Gold and Tuff Gong recording studios.

Said Stephens: “I know we produced a nice wholesome song. The surprise is that nowadays no matter how good the work is it falls on deaf ears. I give thanks for what is going on.”

Trapped’s official music video, released in January, has so far racked up more than 1.3 million views on
YouTube.

On the New York Reggae chart Trapped moved up ftom #12 to #8, while on the South Florida Reggae chart it steps from #9 to #7.

Still on the South Florida Reggae chart, Shuga spends a second week at #1 with her rendition of
Montego Bay, while Kingston Town by Etana rises from #8 to #6.

Niceness by Nadine Sutherland bolts ftom #14 to #12, while Sexy Lady by Ed Robinson enters at #24.

Singing Melody’s take on Tracks of My Tears opens at #25.

Moving over to the New York Reggae chart Boom Body by Shaggy, featuring Akon and Aidonia, takes over the #1 spot with The Closer I Get to You by Pam Hall and Sadiki moving to #26.

The Fire Inside by Jazmin Headley, featuring Richie Stephens and Bounty Killer, debuts at #28 while
Be Careful by Romain Virgo is new at #29.

Wheel and Come Again by Skystar remains at #1 on the Reggae North Canadian Top 20 Reggae chart.

Protect Us by I-Noah inches up to #2, while I’ll Be Your King by Akustix is up to #3.

Iley Dread’s Nah Cheat rises to #4 and Jah Cutta’s former chart-topper How Sweet It Is falls to #5.

Over on the Rebel Vibez Top 10 Canadian Reggae chart, Skystar’s Wheel and Come Again reigns at #1, with Show Us The Way by Eddie Bullen, featuring Kandice K.A.S.H. Tasha T and Mel Dube, is #2.

Forevermore by Jurney Star is down to #3, Student of a Broken Heart by Exco Levi inches up to #4, and Shine by Elaine Shepherd is #5.

Rise up by Belinda Brady debuts at #10.

On the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers clocks 321 non-consecutive weeks at #1.

Boom Body by Shaggy featuring Akon and Aidonia remains at #31 for a second week on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay Top 40.

Meanwhile, the reconstructed house version of Sister Nancy’s iconic Bam Bam titled, Jamaican Bam Bam by HUGEL and SOLTO slides down to #6 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart.

And, finally, Sean Paul and Keyshia Cole’s 20-year-old hit When You Gonna Give it Up to Me sails from #72 to #65 on Billboard’s Global 200 chart. However, on Global Excluding US chart, it backtracks from #41 to #43.