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
Draw Bad Card
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't get me out of the race
Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
And then you draw bad card
A-make you draw bad card
And then you draw bad card
Propaganda spreading over my name
Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
And then you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card
I want to disturb my neighbour
'Cause I'm feelin' so right
I want to turn up my disco
Blow them to full watts tonight, eh
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
'Cause we guarding the palace so majestic
Guarding the palace so realistic
Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah)
Me say them can't get we out of the race
Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves)
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card
In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style
"Bad Card" by Bob Marley & The Wailers addresses the issue of propaganda and false accusations being spread against the singer. The song starts by describing how someone is trying to take Bob Marley out of the race, and accuses him of being in their place. They then draw a bad card, which likely represents their failure or downfall. The lyrics suggest that this person is playing a game and trying to bring Bob Marley's name down to shame. However, Bob Marley is not phased by these actions, and he wants to disturb his neighbor and turn up his disco to the fullest watts in a rub-a-dub style.
The song also includes a reference to guarding the palace majestically and realistically, which could be interpreted as protecting his image and reputation. The chorus repeats the phrase "draw bad card," emphasizing that those who spread lies and propaganda will inevitably draw a bad card.
Overall, "Bad Card" is a powerful response to the false propaganda and negative publicity that Bob Marley faced during his career. It showcases his resilience and determination to stay true to his beliefs and continue making music despite the challenges he faced.
Line by Line Meaning
You a-go tired to see me face
You are getting tired of seeing my face.
Can't get me out of the race
You can't remove me from the competition.
Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
You claimed that I am taking your position.
And then you draw bad card
Then you make a terrible mistake.
A-make you draw bad card
It causes you to draw a bad card.
Propaganda spreading over my name
Rumors and lies being told about me.
Say you want to bring another life to shame
You want to embarrass and humiliate someone else.
Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
You are just playing a trick.
I want to disturb my neighbour
I want to bother my neighbor.
'Cause I'm feelin' so right
Because I am feeling good.
I want to turn up my disco
I want to make my music louder and dance.
Blow them to full watts tonight, eh
Play the music with full power tonight.
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
In a reggae style.
'Cause we guarding the palace so majestic
We are protecting our place with pride.
Guarding the palace so realistic
Protecting the place with true dedication.
Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah)
They are getting bored of our presence.
Me say them can't get we out of the race
They cannot eliminate us from the competition.
Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace
It's a shame for you to behave like that.
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
The mistake that you made.
The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves)
The errors that you have committed.
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
Causing you to make a bad decision.
In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style
Dancing in a reggae style.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tiagotriga
Lyric
You a-go tired to see me face
Can't get me out of the race
Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
And then you draw bad card
A-make you draw bad card
And then you draw bad card
Propaganda spreading over my name
Say you want to bring another life to shame
Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
And then you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card
I want to disturb my neighbour
'Cause I'm feelin' so right
I want to turn up my disco
Blow them to full watts tonight, eh
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
'Cause we guarding the palace so majestic
Guarding the palace so realistic
Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah)
Me say them can't get we out of the race
Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves)
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card
In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style
@westyraviz
This is another song of encouragement in the face of adversity. This is a direct rebuke to the enemy. Despite all their shenanigans and plots to undermine you, yet you’re still there, no matter what. It’s a spiritual song that affirms your faith and resilience when you’re under assault by negative forces.
@positivefrequencies9229
I love this comment truly your talking the truth
@faithmorningministry808
Amen!
@FantasmaOlvidado1
Fuck yeah 😎 ❤️🔥🤘
@ericbaira-milos4717
Amen to that 🙏🌈👑🎵
@felicerosser5400
❤
@dortmunderkelp1704
Ok, bad card came out some 40 years ago, I've played it more times than I can count, but it still hits good every damn time. There really are no words to describe Bob Marley 🔥❤️🔥❤️
@kelbatt7729
In New Zealand he's called uncle Bob, popularity has never waned
@dortmunderkelp1704
@@kelbatt7729 Cool, Bob deserves that. The man didn't even make a single bad (unintentional pun) song.
@carleeinternational5090
This is too much for my soul. What purity! What authenticity! What passion! Bob is definitely one of the very few people on earth who experience FREEDOM as a tangible thing. Only a free soul can produce such soothing sound. The entire song is literally penetrating my bones. I can't even express the power of this song. Bob is a DEEP human.