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
Brand New Second Hand
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are somebody
But I don't love to say
You're not nobody
Don't exhaust our painted face, girl
'cause underneath that face
You're just have disgrace
You'll make no one fool
You're just a brand new second hand
I only confess you
You're brand new second had
Dirty golden rule
You're just a brand new second hand
What you've got, girl
That I don't know
Why you really really got to
Exalt yourself so
Mama used to tell me
A long time ago, girl
It's not everything you own
That glitters is gold
So you're just a brand new second hand
No man no want no
Brand new second hand
You better go back round so girl
Brand new second hand
Don't you show us
Brand new second hand
If you think it's the dress you wear
That makes you a lady
Get that out of your mind
You must be crazy
You're just a brand new second had, yes girl
No man no want
Brand new second hand, yes girl
No bother come show off so
You're just a brand new second hand
In Bob Marley's song "Brand New Second Hand," he criticizes someone for trying to act like they are somebody even though they are not. He tells the person that they are just a "brand new second hand" and that they are not fooling anyone. He also points out that what the person has does not necessarily make them a great person, and that they should not be so focused on material possessions.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a commentary on materialism and superficiality. Bob Marley is suggesting that these things are not what make a person valuable, but rather it is who they are on the inside that truly matters. By calling the person a "brand new second hand," he is essentially saying that they are not original or authentic, but rather a copy of someone else.
Throughout the song, Bob Marley challenges the person to be true to themselves and not put on a false persona. He suggests that they should be proud of who they are, no matter what others may think of them. The overall message of the song is that authenticity and genuine character are more important than superficial appearances.
Line by Line Meaning
You're only acting like you are somebody
You're pretending to be someone you're not
But I don't love to say, you're not nobody
I don't like to say you're nothing, but you're not as important as you think you are
Don't exhaust your painted face, girl
You don't need to wear so much makeup
'Cause underneath that face, you're just have disgrace
Because your true self is shameful and disappointing
And you're just a brand new second hand, you'll make no one fool
You're inexperienced and won't be able to fool anyone
You're just a brand new second hand, I only confess you
I admit that you're just a new version of an old, unimpressive idea
You're brand new second hand, dirty golden rule
You've adopted someone else's ideals and they're not very noble
You're just a brand new second hand
You're not original, you're just a copycat
What you've got, girl that I don't know
I don't understand what makes you so special or interesting
Why you really, really got to exalt yourself so
Why do you feel the need to brag so much?
Mama used to tell me a long time ago, girl
My mother used to say
It's not everything you own that glitters is gold
Not everything that looks valuable actually is valuable
So you're just a brand new second hand, yes girl, no man no want no
You're just a recycled version of something no one wants
Brand new second hand, you better go back round so girl
You should go back to where you came from
Brand new second hand, don't you show us
Don't flaunt yourself in front of us
If you think it's the dress you wear that makes you a lady
If you believe that being a lady is only about wearing fancy clothes
Get that out of your mind, you must be crazy
Forget it, you're crazy for thinking that
You're just a brand new second hand, yes girl, no man no want
You're not wanted by anyone
Brand new second hand, yes girl, no bother come show off so
You don't need to show off, no one is impressed
You're just a brand new second hand, use to be someone else's property
You used to belong to someone else, and you still don't have your own identity
You're just a brand new second hand
You're nothing special
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Peter Tosh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jonny James
Priceless, timeless classic. Bunny and Bob backing up Tosh with tight harmony. Tosh' deep baritone fills are awesome! five stah brah!
Tom Indig
Sooooooooooooooooo goooooooooooooooooooood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bob and Peter! I love this jam. Thank you Karim! Two true true legends, different personalities, both leaders, fearless, righteous, loving RASTAS!!
patricio barbosa
duas lendas do reggae mundial
Joseph Gurure
True man, not all that glitters is gold. Good shall over came evil No matter what my brethren. The name of Jah will rule forever.
GinaWinterstein
best song " you think is the dress you wear, that makes you a lady. get that out of youre mind, you musst be crazy " YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fernado loza
muy buena rola viva bob y peter
Pfuxamuti Ernest
nice song and a reminder -- no wonder why peter wrote this song
Andrea Pj
Milestone! Love from Italy ❤
Lodisius Aroy
too good to b true! reggae all the way! big up man!
julie forrester
Classic!,hear dem lyrics 😊