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
Coming in from the Cold
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this, oh sweet life
We're (we're coming in from the cold)
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We're coming in from the cold
It's you, it's you, it's you I'm talkin' to
Well, you (it's you) you (it's you), you I'm talking to now
Why do you look so sad and forsaken
When one door is closed, don't you know another is open
Would you let the system make you kill your brotherman?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, dread, no
Would you make the system make you kill your brotherman?
(No, dread, no)
Would you make the system get on top of your head again?
(No, dread, no!)
Well, the biggest man you ever did see was was just a baby
In this life (in this life)
In this (in this life, oh sweet life)
Coming in from the cold
We're coming in, we're coming (coming in), coming in-a (coming in)
Coming in (coming in), ooh (coming in)
Coming in from the cold
It's life (it's life), it's life (it's life), it's life (it's life)
It's wa well, coming in from the cold
We're coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in)
Ooh (coming in), hey (coming in)
Coming in from the cold
It's you, you, you I'm talking
Well, yes, you, bilyabong (it's you)
Ew, you I'm talking to now
Well, why do you look so, look so, look so sad
Look so sad and forsaken?
Don't you know, when one door is closed, when one door is closed
Many more is open?
Well, would you let the system get on top of your head again?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, dread, no
Would you let the system make you kill your brotherman?
No, dread, no
Well, would you make the system get on top of your head again?
(No, dread, no) no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Well, the biggest, biggest man you ever, ever
Did-a see was-a was-a once a baby
In this life, in this life, in this life
In this, oh, sweet life
We're (coming in from the cold) from the cold
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in)
Coming in (coming in), wooh, yeah
Coming in from the cold
We're coming in-a, coming in-a, coming in-a, coming in-a
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Coming in from the cold
Coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in)
(Coming in) (coming in)
(Coming in) from the from the cold
"Coming In From The Cold" by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a song about facing the harsh realities of life but choosing to remain optimistic and turn towards hope. It speaks of the struggles that people go through to make ends meet and the consequences of succumbing to the pressures of an oppressive system. The lyrics urge listeners not to lose hope and to keep striving for a better life instead of resorting to violence and turning against each other.
Throughout the song, Marley encourages listeners to stay strong and resist the temptation to let the system get the better of them. He notes that when one door closes, another one opens and that there is always a way out, no matter how bleak things may seem. The line "well, the biggest man you ever did see was just a baby" is a reminder that everyone starts out small and that greatness can come from humble beginnings.
Overall, "Coming In From The Cold" is a powerful message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. It speaks to the struggles that many people face in their daily lives and encourages listeners to keep pushing forward no matter what obstacles they may encounter.
Line by Line Meaning
In this life, in this life, in this life
Oh sweet life, we are in this life
In this, oh sweet life
We are enjoying the sweet life
We're (we're coming in from the cold)
We are entering from the harsh outside
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We are finally reaching our destination
It's you, it's you, it's you I'm talkin' to
I am addressing you, yes you
Well, you (it's you) you (it's you), you I'm talking to now
It's you, you, yes you, I am addressing
Why do you look so sad and forsaken
Why do you appear sad and alone?
When one door is closed, don't you know another is open
When something ends, there's always something new to begin
Would you let the system make you kill your brotherman?
Will you allow the establishment to turn you against your fellow human?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, dread, no
Never, we won't let that happen
Well, the biggest man you ever did see was just a baby
Everyone starts their life as small and vulnerable
It's life (it's life), it's life (it's life), it's life (it's life)
This is life, this is how it is
It's wa well, coming in from the cold
We are finally arriving after a difficult journey
We're coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in)
We're reaching our destination, finally
It's you, you, you I'm talking
It's you who I'm speaking to
Well, why do you look so, look so, look so sad
What's the reason for the sadness you show?
Look so sad and forsaken?
Appearing lonely and desolate?
Don't you know, when one door is closed, when one door is closed
Haven't you realized that when one thing ends something new begins?
Many more is open?
There are plenty of new opportunities
We're coming in-a, coming in-a, coming in-a, coming in-a
We're finally making it
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We're filled with joy and excitement
Coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in)
We're finally making it to our destination
(Coming in) (coming in)
Just a few more steps left
(Coming in) from the from the cold
Finally entering a warm and welcoming place
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@houseofkaine
In this life, in this life, in this life
In this, oh sweet life
We're (we're coming in from the cold)
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in)
We're coming in from the cold
It's you, it's you, it's you I'm talkin' to
Well, you (it's you) you (it's you), you I'm talking to now
Why do you look so sad and forsaken
When one door is closed, don't you know another is open
Would you let the system make you kill your brotherman?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, dread, no
Would you make the system make you kill your brotherman?
(No, dread, no)
Would you make the system get on top of your head again?
(No, dread, no!)
Well, the biggest man you ever did see was was just a baby
In this life (in this life)
In this (in this life, oh sweet life)
Coming in from the cold
We're coming in, we're coming (coming in), coming in-a (coming in)
Coming in (coming in), ooh (coming in)
Coming in from the cold
It's life (it's life), it's life (it's life), it's life (it's life)
It's wa well, coming in from the cold
We're coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in)
Ooh (coming in), hey (coming in)
Coming in from the cold
It's you, you, you I'm talking
Well, yes, you, bilyabong (it's you)
Ew, you I'm talking to now
Well, why do you look so, look so, look so sad
Look so sad and forsaken?
Don't you know, when one door is closed, when one door is closed
Many more is open?
Well, would you let the system get on top of your head again?
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, dread, no
Would you let the system make you kill your brotherman?
No, dread, no
Well, would you make the system get on top of your head again?
(No, dread, no) no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Well, the biggest, biggest man you ever, ever
Did-a see was-a was-a once a baby
In this life, in this life, in this life
In this, oh, sweet life
We're (coming in from the cold) from the cold
We're coming in, we're coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in)
Coming in (coming in), wooh, yeah
Coming in from the cold
We're coming in-a, coming in-a, coming in-a, coming in-a
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Coming in from the cold
Coming in (coming in), coming in (coming in)
(Coming in) (coming in)
(Coming in) from the from the cold
@zoomdioryteddy2572
I'm from Haïti so there's no words to describe how helpful is this song to me
@roxie0405
We island people feel that in a different way.
Blessings from mauritius island
@jepthawilliams8413
Blessed love from Jamaica.We r 1.
@yverickdast1765
Blessings from reunion island
@evkoolman259
Yes
@paulfandre4958
Take care
@arielfig5193
I was homeless and used this song to motivate myself everyday. Thank you Bob Marley 🙏
@santhiyab4054
Keep it up straight love
@Lisahickerson
Ho Brah-Breakfast with Bob every Sunday sitting in the dirt and looking for a home too!!!! Hope you found a home-kekahi 'i kekahi, aloha nui loa, lisah.
@mariahernandez2452
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