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
Bad Card
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't get me out of the race
Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
And then you draw bad card
A-make you draw bad card
And then you draw bad card
Propaganda spreading over my name
Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
And then you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card
I want to disturb my neighbour
'Cause I'm feelin' so right
I want to turn up my disco
Blow them to full watts tonight, eh
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
'Cause we guarding the palace so majestic
Guarding the palace so realistic
Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah)
Me say them can't get we out of the race
Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves)
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card
In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style
Bob Marley & The Wailers's "Bad Card" is a powerful song that addresses the issue of propaganda and the impact it can have on an individual's reputation. The song begins by stating that no matter how hard the singer tries to compete, the system is rigged against them. They are constantly being drawn a "bad card," which means that the odds are always against them. The song then shifts to address the issue of propaganda, specifically people spreading rumors about the singer to damage their reputation. But the singer is confident that they will overcome such challenges and continue to guard their palace (their reputation).
The song suggests that the use of propaganda is a tool used by those in power to bring down those who challenge the status quo. The theme of power runs through the song, and Marley is putting the system and those who use propaganda under scrutiny. The last part of the song is an ode to the rub-a-dub dancehall style, which was very popular in the 80s, and the singer wants to disturb their neighbors with this style of music.
Overall, "Bad Card" is a commentary on the power dynamics within society and how the system can be rigged against those who dare to question it. It is an example of Bob Marley & The Wailers's ability to create powerful songs that not only entertain but also provide socio-political commentary.
Line by Line Meaning
You a-go tired to see me face
You don't want to see me anymore, you're getting sick of looking at me
Can't get me out of the race
You can't seem to get rid of me or beat me in this competition
Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
You're saying that I'm taking your spot, you're not happy about it
And then you draw bad card
Your luck runs out and something bad happens to you
Propaganda spreading over my name
People are spreading rumors and lies about me
Say you want to bring another life to shame
You want to embarrass or humiliate someone else
Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
You're not serious, you're just messing around and causing trouble
And then you draw bad card (draw bad card)
Your actions or words lead to negative consequences for you
I want to disturb my neighbour
I want to be loud and make noise to annoy my neighbor
'Cause I'm feelin' so right
I'm feeling good and want to celebrate by being loud
I want to turn up my disco
I want to play my music really loudly
Blow them to full watts tonight, eh
I want to turn my amplifier up to maximum power
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
In a style of reggae music that involves dancing and having fun
Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah)
People are getting tired of seeing us because we're always around
Me say them can't get we out of the race
They can't beat us, we're too good
Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace
You're making a fool of yourself, it's embarrassing
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
You keep making the wrong choices and it's catching up with you
The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves)
You keep making the wrong decisions
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
Your bad luck keeps getting worse
In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style
Let's have some fun and dance to the reggae beat
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nazım Yılmaz
on No Woman No Cry
el hombre de mundo
JANGLA WISE
on Three Little Birds
Give thanks and Praise's
Juan Carlos Garcia
on Stir It Up
muy buena musica
Shaft Abdou
on One Love
on love
Felix CM
on Ganjah Gun
:)
Felix CM
on Stir It Up
ganjah gan
Assamoi Junior
on One Love
One love Bob marley
Assamoi Junior
on Waiting In Vain
Cool man
Faisal Alowais
on Stir It Up
best song owwwwwwwwwwwwwwww owy
Ca Sperez
on Stir It Up
muy buena rola