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
Caution
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the terrain, everything is so sweet (woah woah woah sweet, woah woah woah sweet)
I'm doing my thing and I'm doing it slow
But there is just one thing I would like you to know, oh
When it wet it slippery, yeah
When it dump it crumpy
If it's likely you will tumble down
Oh, oh, oh, caution, the road is wet
Black soul is black as jet (do you hear me)
Caution the road is hot
You got to do better than that ('cause ah)
When it wet it slippery (when it wet it slippery, yeha)
When it damp it crampy (when it damp it crampy)
If it's likely you were tumbling down
Don't want you on the ground, brother
Hit me from the top
You crazy motherfunky
Hit me from the top
You crazy motherfunky
Hit me from the top
Crazy motherfunky
When it wet it slippery, yeah
When it dumpy crumpy
If it's likely you were tumbling down
Don't want you on the ground (don't, don't)
Caution the road is wet
Black soul is black as jet (black soul)
Caution the road is hot
You got to do better than that
The lyrics of Bob Marley's song "Caution" are an advice to be careful when walking on the streets. The singer is walking down the street and everything is sweet, but he is aware that the road can be dangerous when it is wet or damp. He advises the listener to be cautious because when the road is wet, it is slippery and when it is damp, it is crampy. The singer does not want the listener to tumble down and end up on the ground, therefore, he advises them to be careful.
The lyrics carry a deeper meaning. The road can represent life, and the slippery and crampy road can represent the challenges and obstacles that one faces in life. The black soul is black as jet, which could be interpreted as a reference to racism or discrimination. Therefore, the singer advises the listener to do better than that and overcome the challenges that they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am, walking down the street (walk walk walk walk walk walk walk)
I am strolling down the street in a relaxed manner.
And the terrain, everything is so sweet (woah woah woah sweet, woah woah woah sweet)
The surroundings are pleasant and enjoyable.
I'm doing my thing and I'm doing it slow
But there is just one thing I would like you to know, oh
I am taking my time enjoying myself, but I need you to listen to my message.
When it wet it slippery, yeah
When the ground is wet it can be slippery and dangerous.
When it dump it crumpy
If the ground is uneven, it can be difficult to walk on.
If it's likely you will tumble down
Don't want you on the ground
Oh, oh, oh, caution, the road is wet
I don't want anyone to fall and hurt themselves, so be careful when walking on wet ground.
Black soul is black as jet (do you hear me)
Caution the road is hot
The road can be hot and painful to walk on, and the darkness of the pavement makes it hard to see any obstacles.
You got to do better than that ('cause ah)
You need to be more careful to avoid any accidents.
Brother
This word is used to address someone in a friendly manner.
Hit me from the top
You crazy motherfunky
This line could be interpreted as a request for someone to play music for him, or to give him inspiration for his music.
Crazy motherfunky
This phrase could be an expression of excitement or enthusiasm for the music and the moment.
Don't want you on the ground (don't, don't)
Caution the road is wet
Again, he is emphasizing the need to be careful when walking on wet ground to avoid any injuries.
You got to do better than that
He is urging the listener to take more precautions and be more aware of their surroundings to avoid accidents.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nina513
One of my favorites from these guys. ❤️💚💛
Neill alvey
Man this tune is so catchy when i first heard it i knew it was awesome but didnt know the title...all i knew was its early Bob Marley took awhile but so glad to find it🎶checked out the 30 years ago album & chillin😁😎my favorite new Bob song!
Tao Paille-Paille
check screwface, small axe and fussing and fighting
hill16 gs
Only Bob fans know this stuff the real bob
G.I.D.Z
FACTS!!!
Studio Lobo Produções
yes, I do
Joris Pezzotta
Magnifique chanson, une de mes préférée de BoB 😍
Fernando Sanges
O rei na sua pura essência
Chris Marley
Amo demais!!!
Top botucatu Juliojiorge
my too!