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
Dancing Shoes
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're gonna dance till our legs feel kind of tired
But we won't care 'cause we've got the blues
We've got a lot of rocking to do
We're putting on our dancing shoes
We're going skanking all night long
Just as long as they play our song
We've got a lot of rocking to do
We're putting on our dancing shoes
You'll never love another song like this
It fills your soul
And this ya sound, you can't resist
It's got you in a hold
Never in this world will ever be so much love
As between you and me my love
'Cause we ain't got no time to lose
We've got a lot of loving to do
We're putting on our dancing shoes
Who's gonna dance with me tonight
We're gonna dance till our legs feel kind of tired
But we won't care 'cause we've got the blues
We've got a lot of rocking to do
We're putting on our dancing shoes
We're going skanking all night long
Just as long as they play our song
And this ya sound you can't refuse
We've got a lot of rocking to do
Putting on our dancing shoes
Who's gonna dance with me tonight
We're gonna dance till our legs feel kind of tired
The lyrics for Bob Marley & The Wailers's song Dancing Shoes are an invitation to dance the night away, despite any weariness that may come from doing so. The opening verse poses a question: Who's gonna dance with me tonight? The answer is apparent as the song goes on, with the repetition of the chorus emphasizing that the group is all in this together. Despite feeling tired, the energy of the music is irresistible, and the bluesy sound of the song fills them with a sense of joy and contentment.
The second verse focuses on the specific genre of music they are dancing to, using the term "skanking" to describe the unique style of reggae dance. It's clear that this music is deeply meaningful to them, filling their souls and creating a hold on them that they cannot resist. They are confident that they will never find another song that they love as much as this one, and they express a sentiment of deep love for each other. They know that they have a lot of love to give and that they will not waste any time, instead choosing to dance and rock the night away in each other's company.
Overall, Dancing Shoes is a song about the power of music, dance, and connection. The infectious rhythm of the reggae sound and the call to dance can be understood universally, even across cultural and linguistic barriers. The lyrics express a sense of community and shared experience that transcends individual limits, displaying the unifying potential of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Who's gonna dance with me tonight?
Asking for a companion to dance with for the night.
We're gonna dance till our legs feel kind of tired
Intending to dance for long hours until exhaustion.
But we won't care 'cause we've got the blues
Not minding the fatigue caused by dancing due to feelings of the blues.
We've got a lot of rocking to do
Have many songs to dance to and enjoy.
We're putting on our dancing shoes
Getting ready to dance with the footwear that supports comfortable and agile foot movement.
We're going skanking all night long
Intending to dance to the reggae beat all night long.
Just as long as they play our song
Willing to dance as long as their preferred song is played.
And this ya sound we can't refuse
Cannot resist the compelling sound of reggae music.
You'll never love another song like this
Reggae music being the best and most cherished genre of music.
It fills your soul
Reggae music resonates with the soul and has a profound impact.
And this ya sound, you can't resist
Cannot ignore or dismiss the powerful and entrancing sounds of reggae music.
It's got you in a hold
Reggae music has taken control and has a stronghold over the listener.
Never in this world will ever be so much love
Believes that there is no greater love than that shared in the moment of dancing to reggae music.
As between you and me my love
Shares an intimate moment of love with the dance partner.
Cause we ain't got no time to lose
Live life to the fullest, enjoying the moment with enough appreciation and gratitude.
We've got a lot of loving to do
The dance partner has a lot of love and admiration to share while enjoying the dance together.
We're putting on our dancing shoes
Getting ready to express their love and admiration through dancing.
Who's gonna dance with me tonight
Asking again for a companion to dance with for the night.
We're gonna dance till our legs feel kind of tired
Intending to repeat the cycle of dancing until exhaustion.
But we won't care 'cause we've got the blues
The feelings of the blues continue to motivate them to dance more, despite the physical fatigue.
We've got a lot of rocking to do
There are still a lot of songs left to dance to, and they intend to do so with their all.
We're putting on our dancing shoes
Again, getting ready to express themselves through the art of dancing.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLEMENT DODD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-ps4ei5ow8l
Whose gonna dance with me tonight🤩Whose gonna make me feel Alright,so I'm a gonna put on my dancing shoes...the percussionists within this song is so glorious!!! Jah Live and let's all give,all war mongers,may we stop the war💯💯💯🍊🍊🍊
@ControlledDemolition
Dancing Shoes... What a heartbeat!!!
@Django44
An unrecognized masterpiece...simple, clear melody, subtle chord changes, great tempo, uplifting lyrics - all masterfully performed by the one and only.
@Alex-qt2zy
True Jamaican Ska ❤️
@michaelrodgers7109
What great three Bob bunny Peter X the needs this. Music 🎶 so much love that's what the world needs X nice dance X good friend s
@liciadinha2057
Forever Love Robert Nesta Marley 🦁
@gringoflamenco
Bunny Wailer on lead vocals. All time classic
@heyzog
One can make so many connections between American pop, British ballroom, and Ethiopian classic riffs.
@cmcfarlane100
Will never forget these kind of music omg
@krisvarobieff2151
Awesome song!
Old school like i love them