Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley whic… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley which was later to be changed by passport officials to Robert Nesta Marley, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. He was the most widely known writer and performer of Reggae, and more specifically Roots Reggae. He is famous for popularising the genre outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean. Much of his music dealt with the struggles of the spiritually wealthy rasta and/or spiritually powerful Jah Rastafari.

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

Another Dance
Bob Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This was just another dance
Before I looked in your eyes
I couldnt think until I felt the soft touch of her hand
And from within in me my poor heart began to (rise?)

Don't let her go
My heart say
Your not old enough to know

She's the one close to me
One in a million under the sun
Though you don't even know her name
You wanna dance over again, over again over again.

Cause this was just another date,
So I step up without a single word
Im not a girl im just a fancy (mate or maze?)
And all of that click
When I saw her pretty face

Don't let her go. my heart say
Your not old enough to know
She's the one close to me

One in a million under the sun
Though you don't even know her name
You wanna dance over again, over again
Dancing

Don't let her go
My heart say
Your not old enough to know
Shes the one
Close to me
One in a million under the sun
Though you don't even know her name
You wanna dance over again over again

Cause this was just another dance oh ya
Cause this was just another dance oh ya

Cause this was just another dance oh ya
Cause this was just another dance

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Another Dance," by Bob Marley, are about a chance encounter between the singer and a woman at a dance. The song tells the story of the moment the two meet, and how the singer's heart is immediately captivated by her beauty, calling her "one in a million under the sun." The song's verses seem to be addressed to a younger version of the singer himself, advising him not to let this special woman slip away. The lyrics reflect on the fact that, even though he doesn't know her name, the singer is already longing to dance with her again. The chorus emphasizes the urgency of seizing the moment, repeating the line "Don't let her go" over and over.

The song's refrain, "Don't let her go," seems to be addressed not just to the singer's younger self, but also to the listener. It is a call to appreciate the moments of beauty and love that come our way, and not to let them slip through our fingers. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody match its hopeful and joyful lyrics, making it a classic feel-good hit.

Overall, "Another Dance" is a prime example of Bob Marley's ability to create music that not only uplifts and inspires, but also tells a story that listeners can relate to.

Line by Line Meaning

This was just another dance
The encounter with the girl was supposed to be no more than a casual dance.

Before I looked in your eyes
Bob Marley did not realize the true impact of the girl until he saw her eyes.

I couldnt think until I felt the soft touch of her hand
The girl's touch was so mesmerizing that Bob Marley could not form a coherent thought before feeling it.

And from within in me my poor heart began to (rise?)
Bob Marley's heart began to feel emotions and sensations he had not experienced before as a result of meeting the girl.

Don't let her go
Bob Marley's heart implores him to not lose the girl.

My heart say
Bob Marley personifies his heart and speaks from its perspective.

Your not old enough to know
Bob Marley feels that he is still too inexperienced to fully understand the significance of this girl.

She's the one close to me
Bob Marley feels a deep connection to the girl, even if they have only just met.

One in a million under the sun
Bob Marley feels that the girl is truly unique and rare, one of a kind.

Though you don't even know her name
Despite not knowing the girl's name, Bob Marley still feels an intense attraction to her.

You wanna dance over again, over again over again.
Bob Marley wants to relive the dance over and over again with this girl, even though it was just a casual encounter.

Cause this was just another date,
To Bob Marley, the encounter with this girl was no more significant than a regular date.

So I step up without a single word
Bob Marley approaches the girl without saying a word, showing his nervousness and lack of experience with women.

Im not a girl im just a fancy (mate or maze?)
Bob Marley is portraying himself as a player or a maze to the girl, trying to impress her with his charm.

And all of that click
Bob Marley feels a sense of connection and compatibility with the girl.

When I saw her pretty face
Bob Marley was immediately drawn to the girl's physical appearance.

Dancing
The act of dancing with this girl was a turning point in Bob Marley's experience with romantic relationships.

Cause this was just another dance oh ya
The encounter with this girl was not supposed to be significant or impactful, but it became a significant moment for Bob Marley.

Contributed by Alexis J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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