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
Concrete Jungle
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(No sun will shine)
The high yellow moon won't come out to play
(Won't come out to play)
Darkness has covered my light
(And the stage) and the stage my day into night
Now, where is this love to be found?
Won't someone tell me 'cause life (sweet life)
Instead of a concrete jungle
Where the living is harder (in a concrete)
Concrete jungle (jungle)
Oh man, you've got to do your best, yeah
No chains around my feet but I'm not free
I know I am bound here in captivity
And I've never known happiness
And I've never known sweet caresses
Still, I be always laughing like a clown
Won't someone help me 'cause I (sweet life)
I've got to pick myself (sweet life) from off the ground, yeah (somewhere, somewhere for me)
In this here concrete jungle (la la-la)
I say, what do you got for me, now?
Concrete jungle (la la-la)
Oh, why won't you let me be, now? (concrete jungle)
I said that life (sweet life)
Must be somewhere (sweet life) to be found, yeah, yeah (somewhere, somewhere for me)
Instead of a concrete jungle (jungle)
Where the living is hardest (concrete jungle)
Concrete jungle (jungle)
Oh man, you've got to do your best, yeah (concrete jungle)
Concrete jungle (jungle)
You name it
In this concrete jungle
(Jungle, jungle)
Concrete jungle, you name it, we got it
Concrete jungle, now
(Jungle, jungle, now)
The lyrics of Bob Marley's Concrete Jungle describe the difficulties of living in an urban environment, specifically a metaphorical "concrete jungle", where nature and true love are replaced by harsh, industrial surroundings. The opening lines lament the lack of sunshine, painting a bleak picture of a day enveloped in darkness. The powerful imagery of a high yellow moon refusing to emerge only adds to the sense of hopeless despair. The darkness symbolizes the absence of light and hope, with the stage transitioning from day to night, signifying a clear descent into darkness. The artist clearly longs for love but wonders where it could be found in such a desolate place.
The lyrics take a personal turn when the artist admits to being trapped in this jungle, despite the lack of physical chains around his feet. He feels bound in captivity, with happiness and love forever elusive. Despite this, he maintains a sense of humor, always laughing like a clown. He speaks of picking himself up from the ground and escaping the concrete jungle, where the living is especially hard. The repeated chorus reminds listeners that there must be a better life out there somewhere, one that is not plagued by the hardships of urban living.
Line by Line Meaning
No sun will shine in my day today
Today is a bad day and there is no happiness or hope for me.
The high yellow moon won't come out to play
Even the good things in life are not available to me today.
Darkness has covered my light
My optimism and hope have been replaced by despair and negativity.
And the stage my day into night
My whole day has been overshadowed by the darkness and negativity I feel.
Now, where is this love to be found?
I am looking for love and positivity to bring light into the darkness of my life.
Won't someone tell me 'cause life (sweet life)
I am asking for help in finding the good things in life.
Must be somewhere (sweet life) to be found (somewhere, somewhere for me)
I believe that there is hope for me, and I just need to find it.
Instead of a concrete jungle
I wish I could live in a place where life is not so hard and unforgiving.
Where the living is harder (in a concrete)
Life is tough where I am, and it is difficult to find happiness and joy.
Oh man, you've got to do your best, yeah
I know that I need to keep trying and never give up hope.
No chains around my feet but I'm not free
I may not be physically restrained, but I feel trapped and limited by my circumstances.
I know I am bound here in captivity
I am aware that my thoughts and feelings are holding me back, and I need to break free.
And I've never known happiness
My life has been difficult, and I have not experienced true joy or positivity.
And I've never known sweet caresses
I have not experienced love or affection in my life.
Still, I be always laughing like a clown
Despite my hardships, I try to keep a positive attitude and find joy wherever I can.
Won't someone help me 'cause I (sweet life)
I am still looking for help and guidance in finding happiness and positivity.
I've got to pick myself (sweet life) from off the ground, yeah (somewhere, somewhere for me)
I know that I have the strength to overcome my hardships and find a better life for myself.
In this here concrete jungle (la la-la)
Life is tough where I am, and it is a constant struggle to find happiness and positivity.
I say, what do you got for me, now?
I am frustrated and looking for solutions to my problems.
Oh, why won't you let me be, now?
I feel trapped and limited by my circumstances, and I just want to find a better life for myself.
You name it
Anything and everything in life is difficult for me right now.
Concrete jungle, you name it, we got it
Life is tough and unforgiving where I am, and it feels like everything is against me.
Concrete jungle, now
I am stuck in a city that is tough and unforgiving, and it is difficult to find hope or joy.
Jungle, jungle
Life is a constant struggle and fight for survival.
Concrete jungle, you name it, we got it
Every problem and hardship in life can be found where I am, and it feels overwhelming.
Concrete jungle, now
I am stuck in a city that is tough and unforgiving, and I need to find a way to break free.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cezar Ramos
ok ka bob......
Paulo Mendes
adoro...
Onix Gabriela Ochoa
esta cancion me hace alocarme
@quersea
"No chains around my feet, but i'm not free"... one of the most powerful line i've ever heard in a song
@heavymetalhorseman2068
Agreed. No one will ever be like Marley.
@rafikowmakavelli7159
I agree :3
Ps i got arrested for these words in a contest concerning my country so i guess that algeria's government agree too ✌️
@GubbyBrown
Ironically describes the white British (me), who put the Jamaicans in chains, perfectly.
@hugotim1562
THAT GUITAR SOLO UNDOUBTEDLY CAME FROM HEAVEN ANGELS ABOVE...DOESN'T SÔUND EARTHLY..ANỲTIME I LISTEN TO IT,I JUST GO NUTS...Ì LEARNED THAT BOB HIMSELF HAD THESAME FEELING THE FIRST TIME HE REVIEWED LISTENING TO THE TRACK AFTER RECORDING...SUPER MASTERPIECE!!!!!
@DaveRyan1974
Dam Good Jam Man! Makes Me Move & Groove!
@ericjamieson
When I was young and foolish, I dismissed Bob Marley as happy nonsense for stoners, but this song was what set me right. If Bob wasn't the best songwriter of the 20th century, he was easily in the top 5.