Starting out in 1963 with the group Bob Marley & The Wailers, he forged a distinctive song-writing and vocal style that would later resonate with audiences worldwide.
The Wailers would go on to release some of the earliest reggae records with producer Lee Scratch Perry.
After The Wailers disbanded in 1974, Marley pursued a solo career which culminated in the release of the album Exodus in 1977 which established his worldwide reputation and became one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million albums and singles.
Bob Marley was a member of this Rastafari movement, whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae. Bob Marley became the leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene.
Now considered a "Rasta" prophet, Marley's adoption of the characteristic Rastafarian dreadlocks and famous use of marijuana as a sacred sacrament in the late sixties were an integral part of his persona. He is said to have entered every performance proclaiming the divinity of Jah Rastafari.
A few months before his death, Marley was baptised into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and took the name Berhane Selassie (meaning the Light of the Holy Trinity in Amharic).
His best known songs are a mixture of reggae, Roots Reggae, and rhythm and blues, which include:
I Shot the Sheriff
Exodus
Could You Be Loved
Redemption Song
No Woman, No Cry
Three Little Birds
Buffalo Soldier
Is This Love
One Love
Stir It Up
Jammin'
Get Up, Stand Up
His posthumous album Legend (1984) became the best-selling reggae album ever, with sales of more than 12 million copies.
Bob Marley was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994; in December 1999, his album “Exodus” (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song “One Love” was designated Song of the Millennium by the BBC.
Awards and Honors:
1976 - Rolling Stone Magazine's "Band of the Year"
1978 - United Nations' Peace Medal of the Third World
1981 - Jamaican Order of Merit
1994 - The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
1999 - Time Magazine's Best Album of the Century
2001 - Star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2001- GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award
2004 - Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (#11)
2006 - The United Kingdom's "Blue Plaque"
2006 - Bob Marley Boulevard named in Brooklyn, New York
2010 - GRAMMY Hall Of Fame (Catch A Fire)
2012 - August the 7th, proclamed Bob Marley Day (Los Angeles)
2013 - GRAMMY Tribute Performance
Marley tragically died of cancer at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami, Florida on May 11, 1981.
Religion:
Bob Marley was a member of the Rastafari movement, (not rastafaranism as that is seen as a derogortory term as Rasta's don't like being refered to as an ism) whose culture was a key element in the development of reggae music in Jamaica. Rastas belive they are outcast from their native Zion and looked on Ethiopia as their real home and Tafarai Makonnen, who took the title Haile Sellasie I(Power of the Holy Trinity in Amharic), after he became the emperor of Ethiopia, as their leader. Rastas belive H.I.M. is Jesus in flesh. Rastas are considered to be black Jews.
Rastas claim their root from King Solomon and Abbysinian queen of Sheba, through lineage of their son Menelik, emperor of Abbysinia. H.I.M. is said to be a direct decendant of Menelik. 'Ras' means Head and 'Tafarai" means Creator. 'Jah' is the shortened form of the Hebrew word Jehovah. Rastas belive in one truth and that is the truth of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Sellasie I, King of kings, Lord of lords, conquering Lion of the tribe of Judah, two hundred and twenty-fifth ruler of the three thousand year old Ethiopian empire, elect of Jah, Light of the world. Jah Rastafari live out. Rastas preach a non-materialistic, egalitarian way of life. Bob Marley became a leading proponent of the Rastafari, taking their music out of the socially deprived areas of Jamaica and onto the international music scene. Bob Marley was baptized by the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church in Kingston, Jamaica on November 4, 1980.
Diet:
Marley's diet was ital; fruit, vegetables and fish; which is food approved by the Rastafari movement.
Family:
Bob Marley had 13 children: three with his wife Rita Marley, two adopted from Rita's previous relationships, and the remaining eight with separate women.
His children are, in order of birth:
Imani Carole, born May 22, 1963, to Cheryl Murray;
Sharon, born November 23, 1964, to Rita in previous relationship;
Cedella born August 23, 1967, to Rita;
David "Ziggy Marley", born October 17, 1968, to Rita;
Stephen Marley, born April 20, 1972, to Rita;
Robert "Robbie", born May 16, 1972, to Pat Williams;
Rohan, born May 19, 1972, to Janet Hunt;
Karen, born 1973 to Janet Bowen;
Stephanie, born August 17, 1974; according to Cedella Booker she was the daughter of Rita and a man called Ital with whom Rita had an affair; nonetheless she was acknowledged as Bob's daughter;
Julian Marley, born June 4, 1975, to Lucy Pounder;
Ky-Mani Marley, born February 26, 1976, to Anita Belnavis;
Damian Marley, born July 21, 1978, to Cindy Breakspeare;
Makeda, born May 30, 1981, to Yvette Crichton.
See here for comedian Bob Marley the comedian: Comedian Bob Marley
10- Turn Your Lights Down
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And pull your window curtain
Oh, let Jah moon come shining in
Into our life again ('gain)
Sayin', "Ooh, it's been a long, long time" (long, long, long, long time)
I got this message for you, girl
But it seems I was never on time
Still I wanna get through to you, girly
I want to give you some love (good, good lovin')
I want to give you some good, good lovin' (good, good lovin')
Oh I, oh I, oh I
Say, I want to give you some good, good lovin' (good, good lovin')
Turn your lights down low
Never try to resist, oh no
Oh, let my love come tumblin' in
Into our lives again
Sayin' ooh, I love you
And I want you to know right now
Ooh, I love you
And I want you to know right now
'Cause I, that I
I want to give you some love (oh)
I want to give you some good, good lovin'
Oh I
I want to give you some love
Say, I want to give you some good, good lovin'
Turn your lights down low, oh
Never, never try to resist, oh no
Ooh, let my love, ooh let my love come tumblin' in (I want to give you some love)
Into our lives again (I want to give you some good, good lovin')
Oh, I want to give you some love
In the song "Turn Your Lights Down Low," Bob Marley is talking directly to a girl, telling her to turn off the lights and pull the curtains so they can be alone. He exclaims that it has been a long time since he wanted to send her a message, but he was never on time. However, despite the past, he wants to give her good love and wants her to know that he loves her. He tells her to never resist his love and let it come tumbling into their life again.
The lyrics of the song are beautifully romantic and full of passion. Marley uses his powerful voice to convey his feelings for the girl, urging her to let his love in. The use of "Jah" – a term commonly used in the Rastafarian religion – invokes a spiritual aspect to the song, adding to its intensity and meaning.
Some interpretations of the song suggest that Marley is singing to his wife or a particular love interest, but the lyrics are open to individual interpretation. It could be seen as a universal love song, celebrating the beauty of a passionate relationship and the pure joy of being with someone you love.
Overall, "Turn Your Lights Down Low" is a beautiful expression of love, full of emotion and passion, and an example of Marley's deep connection to his music and his artistry.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn your lights down low
Bob Marley wants the girl to turn off her bright lights so that they can see each other more clearly.
And pull your window curtains
He asks her to lower her curtains to create a more intimate setting.
Oh, let Jah moon come shining in
Bob refers to the moon as Jah, another name for God in the Rastafarian faith, and mentions it to signal the start of an intimate moment between him and the girl.
Into our life again
He talks about the return of intimacy into their lives, indicating that they were once close.
Sayin' ooh, it's been a long, long (long, long, long, long) time
Bob acknowledges that the two of them haven't been together for quite some time, indicating that they haven't been as close as they used to be.
I kept this message for you, girl
Bob has a special message for the girl he's speaking to.
But it seems I was never on time
However, he acknowledges that he's never been able to deliver this message on time.
Still I wanna get through to you, girlie
Despite this, he is still trying to reach her.
On time, on time
He reiterates his desire to be on time with the message he wants to share.
I want to give you some love (good, good lovin')
Bob expresses his intention to show the girl his affection through physical expressions of love.
Oh I, oh I, oh I
This interlude is simply an expression of his excitement and anticipation.
Say, I want to give you some good, good lovin' (good, good lovin')
He repeats his desire to give her some good loving.
Never try to resist, oh no!
He advises her against resisting his advances because he's sincere.
Oh, let my love come tumbling in
He tells her to succumb to his love, which he deems highly valuable.
Sayin' ooh, I love ya!
He reveals his love for her.
And I want you to know right now
Bob wants her to know that his love for her is immediate and genuine.
'Cause I that I
He is confident about the love he feels for her.
I want to give you some love, oh-ooh
He reiterates his intention to give her love.
Turn your lights down low, wo-oh
He reminds her to lower the lights again, which shows how important it is to him that they cultivate an intimate setting.
Ooh, let my love ooh, let my love come tumbling in
He asks her to let herself open up to his love, which he believes is very powerful.
Into our life again
He repeats the line from earlier, underscoring the idea that their relationship is in need of rejuvenation.
Oh, I want to give you some good, good lovin' (good, good lovin')
Bob concludes the song repeating his intention to give her love.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andy Gabe
[Verse 1]
Turn your lights down low
And pull your window curtains
Oh, let Jah moon come shining in
Into our life again
Saying ooh, it's been a long, long time
(Long, long time)
I got this message for you girl
But it seems I was never on time
Still I gotta get through to you girl
On time, on time (word)
I want to give you some love
I want to give you some good, good loving
(Uh, uh, right, uh)
Oh I, oh I, oh I
Yeah I want to give you some good, good loving (uh)
[Verse 2]
Turn your lights down low
Never ever try to resist, oh no
Let my love come tumbling in
Into our lives again
And ooh, I love you
(I love you, I love you)
And I want you to know right now
(Know right now)
Ooh I love you
(Uh-uh, yeah, uh)
And I want you to know right now (uh)
Because I, that I
I want to give you some love (uh, yeah)
I want to give you some good, good loving
Oh I
I want to give you some good, good loving
[Outro]
I want to give you some good, good loving
I want to give you some love
I want to give you some good, good loving
Oh I, oh I, oh I
I want to give you some good, good loving
H.M. de Visser
Bob Marley – Turn Your Lights Down Low Lyrics
Turn your lights down low
And pull your window curtain
Oh let the moon come shining in
Into our life again
Saying ooh, it's been a long, long time
(Long, long time)
I got this message for you girl
But it seems I was never on time
Did I wanna get through to you girl?
On time, on time (word)
I want to give you some love
I want to give you some good, good loving
(Uh right, uh right, uh right)
Oh I, oh I, oh I
Yeah I want to give you some good, good loving (uh)
Turn your lights down low
(Word, word, uh, uh)
Never ever try to resist, oh no
(Na, na, na, na)
Let your love come shining in
(Na, na, na, na)
Into our lives again
(Na, na, na, na)
And ooh, I love you
(I love you, I love you)
And I want you to know right now
(Know right now)
Ooh I love you
(Uh-uh, yeah, uh)
And I want you to know right now (uh)
Ooh I love you
And I want you to know right now (uh)
That I, that I
I wanna give you some love (uh, yeah)
I wanna give you some good, good loving
Oh I, oh I, oh I
I wanna give you some good, good loving (yeah uh-uh)
I want to give you some good, good loving
I want to give you some love
I want to give you some good, good loving
Oh I, oh I, oh I
I wanna give you some good, good loving
Good, good, good loving
(I wanna give you some good loving)
Songwriters: MARLEY, BOB
Tolomann
Turn your lights down low
And pull your window curtains
Oh, let Jah moon come shining in
Into our life again
Sayin' ooh, it's been a long, long (long, long, long, long) time
I kept this message for you, girl
But it seems I was never on time
Still I wanna get through to you, girlie
On time, on time
I want to give you some love (good, good lovin')
I want to give you some good, good lovin' (good, good lovin')
Oh I, oh I, oh I
Say, I want to give you some good, good lovin' (good, good lovin')
Turn your lights down low
Never try to resist, oh no!
Oh, let my love come tumbling in
Into our life again
Sayin' ooh, I love ya!
And I want you to know right now
I love ya!
And I want you to know right now
'Cause I that I
I want to give you some love, oh-ooh
I want to give you some good, good lovin'
Oh, I I want to give you some love
Sayin' I want to give you some good, good lovin'
Turn your lights down low, wo-oh
Never never try to resist, oh no
Ooh, let my love ooh, let my love come tumbling in
Into our life again
Oh, I want to give you some good, good lovin' (good, good lovin')
The Poetic Shooter
This legend died at only 36 years old. Can you imagine how many more albums we could have gotten from him? Every one of his songs is a masterpiece. The king of raggae.
SclinkyWinky
I could imagine he would have had the power to begin to bring peace to this world. <3
Prince Vick
He was beyond his time
A great soul from the most high
Be in his Presence
His level of inspiration was powerful enough to bring a revolution,unfortunately this world is not ready to access honesty and love , his words are timeless and priceless. He was a prophet. He was killed as many who tried to bring justice into this sickened planet full of greed, inequalities and evil. Lord have mercy on humans 🙏.
Darthpsyeater
It's not about what ya get it's what ya got
Lina
Its Heartbreaking, one of the greatest people in humanity's history. But he's also proof that the power of a pure soul lives beyond the body. He's timeless, in the full sense of the word. 💚
Rhonda K
This is pure bliss I love this so much . I remember slow dancing with my daughters father when I was 18 . Wonderful, sweet ,beautiful memories.
Lynnette Murray-Gibson
Love this song because it brings back memories and it's still creating new memories
michael roche
A masterpiece of a song.
ayman hago
Love song ❤️