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
Downpressor
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
All along that day
But the sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling
The sea will be boiling
All along that day
You gonna run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
When you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
The rocks will be melting
All that day
So I said
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
All along that day
You drink your big champagne and laugh
You drink your big champagne and laugh
You drink your big champagne and laugh
All along that day
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
All along that day
You can run but you can't hide
You can run but you can't hide
You can run but you can't hide
Telling you all along that day
You gonna run to the Lord
Beggin' to hide you
You gonna run to the Lord
Beggin' to hide you
You gonna run to the Lord
Beggin' to hide you
You gonna run to Jah
Beggin' to hide you
All, all along that day
And I said Downpresser Man
Where you gonna run to
Where you gonna run to Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said all along
All along, along that day Downpresser man
All along, along that day Downpresser man
All along, along that day Downpresser man
All along, along that day Downpresser man
Wait, Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
I don't know where you gonna run to
All along that day
Downpresser man
You can't run, you can't bribe Jah-Jah
Can't call him in a bar
Fe can drink some
Devil soup
Can't bribe him to run a car now
Can't test him faith
Downpresser man
Downpresser man
Downpresser man
Downpresser man
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
You can't bribe no one
Them no want no money
Them run'f money
That money get funny
Downpresser man's here
In the song "Downpressor", Bob Marley & The Wailers sing about the oppressive figure who is responsible for the suffering of the downtrodden. The song initially questions where this downpressor man can run to. It doesn't matter where he goes because he will still face the consequences of his actions. The downpressor man tries to run to the sea and the rocks, but both these elements are not exempted from the impact of his behavior. The sea will boil, and the rocks will melt, signifying the universal ramifications of his oppression. The song continues, stating that the downpressor man drinks champagne and laughs, signaling his disregard for the suffering he is causing.
However, the lyrics also indicate that there is hope for the oppressed. They sing, "You can run but you can't hide/Telling you all along that day/You gonna run to the Lord/Beggin' to hide you/You gonna run to Jah/Beggin' to hide you". Here, Jah represents hope and salvation, and the oppressed are urged to run towards him for protection. The song concludes with Bob Marley reiterating that the downpressor man cannot escape because he can't bribe Jah-Jah.
Line by Line Meaning
Downpresser man
Addressing the oppressor who inflicts pain and suffering.
Where you gonna run to
Questioning the oppressor about their escape plan.
All along that day
Implying that their wrongdoing will catch up with them eventually.
You gonna run to the sea
Suggesting that the oppressor may try to escape by running to the sea.
But the sea will be boiling
Conveying the idea that there will be no escape because even the sea will not provide sanctuary. Instead, it will be boiling, implying that the oppressor's actions will heat up the environment.
You gonna run to the rocks
Implying that the oppressor could try to hide among the rocks.
The rocks will be melting
Conveys the same idea as the boiling sea: there is no escape, even the rocks will not provide shelter but will melt.
You drink your big champagne and laugh
Highlighting the oppressor's carefree attitude while committing inhumane acts, possibly using resources derived from their exploitation of powerless people.
I wouldn't like to be a flea under your collar man
This line is a metaphor that suggests the singer would not want to be anywhere near the oppressor because of the negative energy that is likely to lead to their downfall -- akin to being crushed along with the oppressor.
You can run but you can't hide
The idea that the oppressor cannot escape the consequences of their wrongdoing, even if they try to hide or run away from justice.
You gonna run to the Lord, Beggin' to hide you
This line suggests that the oppressor will eventually turn to religion or a higher power seeking salvation or protection as they try to escape retribution.
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.