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 βExodusβ (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song βOne Loveβ 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
Could You Be Loved (12
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could you be loved and be loved?
Don't let them fool ya
Or even try to school ya, oh, no
We've got a mind of our own
So go to Hell if what you're thinking is not right
Love would never leave us alone
Could you be loved and be loved?
Could you be loved, whoa now, and be loved?
The road of life is rocky and you may stumble too
So while you point your fingers someone else is judging you
Love your brotherman
Could you be, could you be, could you be loved?
Could you be, could you be loved?
Could you be, could you be, could you be loved?
Could you be, could you be loved?
Don't let them change ya, oh
Or even rearrange ya, oh, no
We've got a life to live
They say, only, only
Only the fittest of the fittest shall survive
Stay alive, ay
Could you be loved and be loved?
Could you be loved, whoa now, and be loved?
Never gonna miss your water until your well runs dry
No matter how you treat him, man will never be satisfied
Say something (could you be, could you be, could you be loved?)
(Could you be, could you be loved?) Say something
Say something (could you be, could you be, could you be loved?)
Say something (could you be, could you be loved?)
Say something, say something (say something)
Say something, say something (could you be loved?)
Say something, say something, reggae, reggae
Say something, rockers, rockers
Say something, reggae, reggae
Say something, rockers, rockers
Say something (could you be loved?)
Say something (could you be loved?)
Say something, come on
Say something (could you be, could you be, could you be loved?)
Say something (could you be, could you be loved?)
Say something (could you be, could you be, could you be loved?)
Say something (could you be, could you be loved?)
The song "Could You Be Loved" by Bob Marley is a classic reggae piece that sings of the power of love and encourages people to embrace it fully. The song starts with the refrain "Could you be loved and be loved?" which serves as the song's theme throughout. The lyrics also talk about the need to not let anyone fool or school you and to have your own mind to understand what is right and true. It also highlights the fact that love is what brings people together and makes them stronger. The song talks about the importance of loving your fellow man and not judging others, and not letting anyone change or rearrange you. The lyrics urge people to stay alive and to keep moving forward, no matter what the world throws at them.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1980, just a year before Bob Marley's untimely death at the age of 36. The song was featured on his album "Uprising," which was the last album he released before his death. Another interesting fact is that the song was originally written as a love song but was later transformed into a song about the power of love in general. The song has been covered by many artists, including Ziggy Marley, who is Bob Marley's son. It has also been featured in various movies and TV shows over the years.
Another interesting fact about the song is that it features a unique mix of reggae and rock music. The song's rhythm is heavily inspired by reggae music, while the guitar riffs and the beats are influenced by rock music. This fusion of genres was unique at the time and helped make the song a hit worldwide. Additionally, the song's iconic music video featured Bob Marley playing soccer on a Jamaican beach, showcasing his love for the sport.
The chords for the song are:
Intro/Verse: G - Em - C - G
Chorus: G - D/F# - Em - C - G
Overall, "Could You Be Loved" is a powerful and inspiring song that encourages people to embrace love and kindness, even in the face of adversity. The song's infectious rhythm and catchy chorus have made it a timeless classic that continues to inspire a new generation of music lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
Could you be loved and be loved?
Are you capable of giving and receiving love?
Don't let them fool ya
Don't allow others to deceive or manipulate you.
Or even try to school ya, oh, no
Or teach you what they believe is right without question.
We've got a mind of our own
We have the ability to think for ourselves.
So go to hell if what you're thinking is not right
Don't let anyone shame you for having a differing opinion.
Love would never leave us alone
Love will always be present in our lives even when times are tough.
A-yin the darkness there must come out to light
The difficult times will eventually pass, and things will get better.
(The road of life is rocky and you may stumble too
Life is unpredictable, and even the best of us make mistakes.
So while you point your fingers someone else is judging you)
Instead of criticizing others, focus on improving yourself.
Love your brotherman
Show love and compassion to your fellow human beings.
(You ain't gonna miss your water until your well runs dry
You won't appreciate what you have until it's gone.
No matter how you treat him, the man will never be satisfied)
Regardless of how you treat others, they may still not be content.
Say something!
Speak up and be heard.
Don't let them change ya, oh
Don't let others alter who you are as a person.
Or even rearrange ya, oh, no
Or force you to conform to their standards.
We've got a life to live
We each have our path to follow.
They say, only, only
Some people claim that only the strongest will succeed.
Only the fittest of the fittest shall survive
Only the strongest and most adaptable will survive.
Stay alive, eh
Keep going and don't give up.
Say something say something
Speak your mind.
Say something reggae, reggae
Express yourself in your own unique way.
Say something rockers, rockers
Be true to your own style.
Say something (could you be loved?) say something
No matter what, always stay true to yourself and express love.
Say something (could you be, could you be loved?)
Stand up for yourself and show love to others.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Timmy O Toole
This version of the song is the best ever. I've been searching for this for 12 years after I lost my uprising CD
Justin Anderson
This is my favorite song,I love Uncle Bob
Mathew Ridgeway
The bass in the middle does it!!! Xxx Greetings from Australia. π―π―
Gemini Rhythm Spirit
Yep I hear you mathew
George Thompson
One of The illEST Basslines EVAH!!!
Peter Lagroove
Don't let them fool you
Or even try to school you! Oh, no!
We've got a mind of our own
nariah Faith
Weβve been sittin down too long get up get up get up nowwwww
BEST PART OMGRACIOUS
Canna Shiva
Don't let them fool ya
Or even try to school ya! Oh, no!
We've got a mind of our own
So go to hell if what you're thinking is not right!
Love would never leave us alone
A-yin the darkness there must come out to light # BobMarley # Rasta # CS # 4Life
Winsy Abris
eyyy chillaxing some reggaes of bob marley <3
Canna Shiva
Don't let them change ya, oh!
Or even rearrange ya! Oh, no!
We've got a life to live
They say: only, only
Only the fittest of the fittest shall survive
Stay alive! Eh! #JAbLess