Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley whic… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley which was later to be changed by passport officials to Robert Nesta Marley, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. He was the most widely known writer and performer of Reggae, and more specifically Roots Reggae. He is famous for popularising the genre outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean. Much of his music dealt with the struggles of the spiritually wealthy rasta and/or spiritually powerful Jah Rastafari.

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

Hold Onto This Feeling
Bob Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Gotta hold on to this feeling
Gotta hold on to this feeling we got
Gotta hold on to this feeling
Gotta hold on to this feeling we got
Gonna blow, blow, blow
Cause we love, love, love, ya now

The day without the shining sun

Is a day without your loving baby
One look, one look and we feel like one
That's how easy we communicate
A sick match can make a fire begin
A simple kiss and I'm warm within man

No how it's got to find guarantee
And then your depends on me
If love, if love could sign a dotted line
You would surely see your name next to mine
To be sure we keep the love we got
Just keep them kisses comin' and
It be all right girl
Gotta hold on to this feeling

Your love, your love got a hold on me now girl
Don't change, don't change and turn cold on me man
No how it's got to find guarantee
Baby your depends on me now
If love, if love could sign a dotted line
You would surely see your name next to mine
To be sure we keep the love we got
Just keep them kisses comin' and
Give me your heart

Gotta hold on to this feeling
Gotta hold on to this feeling we got
I'm a holdin' on
Gotta hold on to this feeling
Gotta hold on to this feeling we got
You can let go if you want to baby

Gotta hold on to this feeling
Gotta hold on to this feeling we got

Overall Meaning

The song "Hold Onto This Feeling" by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a love song that speaks to the power of holding onto the feeling of love. The first verse emphasizes the importance of keeping the feeling of love alive, as it is the foundation that allows a relationship to flourish. The chorus repeats the phrase "gotta hold on to this feeling" to reinforce the idea that love is something that one must actively hold onto, regardless of whatever challenges may arise.

The second verse continues the theme of the first, emphasizing the importance of communication and simple gestures, like a kiss, that keep the feeling of love alive. The bridge of the song stresses the interdependence of the two partners, with each depending on the other for love and support. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus, encouraging the listener to hold onto the feeling of love.

Overall, the message of the song is one of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. It speaks to the idea that love is something that requires effort and active participation to maintain, but that the effort is worth it in the end.

Line by Line Meaning

Gotta hold on to this feeling
We must maintain this strong and positive emotion that we are currently feeling

Gotta hold on to this feeling we got
It is important that we continue to hold onto the love and connection that we possess

Gonna blow, blow, blow
Our love will intensify and prosper

Cause we love, love, love, ya now
Our love for you is deep and unchanging

The day without the shining sun
A day without your love is incomplete and dull

Is a day without your loving baby
Our love is vital to our existence and happiness

One look, one look and we feel like one
A single glance from you unifies us and makes us feel whole

That's how easy we communicate
Our connection is effortless and simple

A sick match can make a fire begin
Even the most unexpected pairing can ignite a passionate love

A simple kiss and I'm warm within man
Just a kiss from you can warm my heart and make me feel content

No how it's got to find guarantee
There is no guaranteed way to find love

And then your depends on me
Once love is found, it is up to us to maintain and cherish it

If love, if love could sign a dotted line
If love could be formalized and made official

You would surely see your name next to mine
You would undoubtedly be my partner in love

To be sure we keep the love we got
To ensure that our love continues to thrive

Just keep them kisses comin' and
We just need to keep expressing our love to each other

It be all right girl
Everything will work out as long as we have each other

Your love, your love got a hold on me now girl
Your love has a powerful and unbreakable grip on my heart

Don't change, don't change and turn cold on me man
Please don't change your love for me and become distant

Baby your depends on me now
Your happiness and well-being now rest on me

Give me your heart
Please entrust me with your heart and love

I'm a holdin' on
I am firmly holding onto our love and connection

You can let go if you want to baby
You have the choice to let go of our love if you wish

Gotta hold on to this feeling
We must maintain and treasure the love we have

Gotta hold on to this feeling we got
We need to safeguard and keep nurturing our deep connection

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HINTON JOE, JOE HINTON, JOHNNY WILLIAM BRISTOL, PAMELA JOAN SAWYER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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