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
Downpresser
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mercy on judgment, Lord
Mercy on judgment, Lord
Oh, along that day, sad day
Downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Tell me, downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
You run to the rocks, rocks will be melting, man
When you run to the rocks, the rocks will be melting, so run
When you run to the rocks, rocks will be melting
Oh, along that day, sad day for you
Oh, when you gonna run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
Run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
Oh, along that day, that day
So, you gonna run to the Lord, oh, what you hidin'
Run to the Lord, Lord, what you hidin'?
Run to the Lord, Lord, what you hidin'?
Oh, along that day, sad day for you, man
Mercy on judgment, Lord
Mercy on judgment, Lord
I said, mercy on judgment, Lord
Oh, along that day
I wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
Wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
I wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
Oh, along that day
The lyrics to Bob Marley & The Wailers's song Down Presser depict a powerful message of justice and retribution. The song addresses the Downpressor man, who is a symbol of oppression and exploitation for the African people. The lyrics begin with a plea for mercy on judgment day, highlighting the inevitability of accountability for one's actions. The song then asks the Downpressor man where he will run to when judgment comes, whether he will run to the rocks or the sea. The imagery of the rocks melting and the sea boiling represents the apocalyptic consequences of the Downpressor man's actions.
The song ultimately suggests that the only place for the Downpressor man to run to is the Lord. However, even the Lord cannot protect him from the consequences of his own actions. The lyrics end with a statement that being a flea under the collar of the Downpressor man would be an undesirable position to be in, highlighting the power dynamic and the harm caused by oppression.
Overall, the lyrics to Down Presser are a powerful condemnation of oppression and a warning of the inevitable consequences of exploitation. The song encourages all listeners to seek justice and to stand up against oppression, no matter how powerful the oppressor may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Mercy on judgment, Lord
May the Lord have mercy on us when he delivers judgment upon us.
Mercy on judgment, Lord
May we receive mercy from the Lord when he delivers judgment upon us.
Mercy on judgment, Lord
May we be shown mercy by the Lord when he delivers judgment upon us.
Oh, along that day, sad day
On the day the Lord delivers his judgment, it will be a sad day for those who have done wrong.
Downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Oh oppressor, where will you go to escape the judgment of the Lord?
Tell me, downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Please tell me, oppressor, where will you try to hide from the Lord's judgment?
Downpressor man, where you gonna run to?
Oh oppressor, where will you find refuge from the Lord's judgment?
Oh, when you gonna run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
If you try to escape the Lord's judgment by running to the sea, the sea will be boiling and you will find no shelter.
When you run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
The sea will be too hot to provide any safe harbor for those trying to escape the Lord's judgment.
Run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
Even if you try to escape the Lord's judgment by running to the sea, it will offer you no refuge as it will be boiling hot.
Oh, along that day, that day
On the day of the Lord's judgment, even trying to escape to the sea will be of no use.
So, you gonna run to the Lord, oh, what you hidin'
Will you turn to the Lord to try and hide something?
Run to the Lord, Lord, what you hidin'?
What is it that you're trying to hide from the Lord by running to him?
Run to the Lord, Lord, what you hidin'?
Don't run to the Lord to try and hide something because he sees all, knows all and will judge all.
Oh, along that day, sad day for you, man
On the day of the Lord's judgment, it will be a sad day for those who have something they're still trying to hide from him.
I wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
I wouldn't want to be in a position close to you when the Lord's judgment is pronounced against you.
Wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
I wouldn't want to be so close to you that even if I were a flea stuck under your collar, I would be caught in the Lord's judgment.
I wouldn't like to be a flea, under your collar, man
I wouldn't want to be anywhere near you when the Lord's judgment falls upon you.
Oh, along that day
On the day of the Lord's judgment, may we not be in the company of those who will be judged.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MsNooneinparticular
This song slaps. Highly underrated. Tosh was just as good a lead singer as Bob, though I prefer Bob as a solo songwriter. But the group? Yeah, they were magical.
@johnrice332
Agreed
@seanbeukman9563
Indeed. Peter Tosh is magic.
@willieluncheonette
Seventh song remembering Peter Tosh.
Remember our first post yesterday of Peter singing "The Toughest"? There we mentioned that Bob and Bunny first saw Peter walking down a street, guitar in hand, singing Go Tell It On the Mountain and Sinner Man. Well, Downpresser is Peter;s third recording of the traditional Sinner Man which he first cut at Studio One in 1966.
Peter's strong baritone voice filled with righteous emotion makes this song a total success. From the same Lee Perry session that yielded Band New Secondhand around January 1971. This will be our last Peter Tosh song with the Wailers---now it's onto his tremendous solo work.
@emilescheffers5365
Thanks ...always good to know all these facts .
@jamjar142
Thanks for the posting, this is my favourite version.
@shakib80
.."all along that day"... This is a classic one!!
@momaghribi.-7211
Such a BOSS picture.
This group man,man,man.
❤.
@peterfuzz3887
the very first version : sublime
@fatrobdouble
The Wailers recorded at least one version called "Sinner Man," like the N.American song this was based on, at Studio One, in the 60s. This is Lee Perry produced, 70 or early 71.