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
I Know
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the race gets hard to run,
It means you just can't take the pace.
When it's time to have your fun,
You find the tears run on down through your face,
Then you stop and think a little:
Are you the victim of the system?
Anyday now they gon' let you down;
To see you through.
(I) And ain't it good to know (know) now:
Jah will be waiting there.
(I) Ain't it doggone good to know (know) , you all;
Jah will be waiting there.
Wait in Summer, wait in Spring,
Wait in Autumn, Winter thing,
(Tribe) goes up, all the tribe goes down:
Bring my children from the end of d'earth
Many a time I sit and wonder why
This race so - so very hard to run,
Then I say to my soul: take courage,
Battle to be won,
Like a ship that's tossed and driven,
Battered by the angry sea, yea-eah!
Say the tide of time was raging;
Don't let the fury fall on me, no, no!
(I) 'Cause I know (know) -know:
Jah will be waiting there;
(I) Ain't it good to know (know) now:
Jah will be waiting there. Wo-oo-o-oo-o! Ooh, yeah!
Lost and found, who speak I give;
Lost and found, who speak I give;
Speak I give, lost and found.
Lost and found, who speak I give;
Lost and found, who speak I give.
The lyrics to Bob Marley & The Wailers' song I Know A Place, encapsulate his message of hope and faith in the face of adversity. The song speaks to the struggles that people face in their lives and the importance of having support during these times. In the opening lines, Marley acknowledges that life can be challenging, but reminds the listener that they are not alone. He reinforces this message throughout the song, assuring that "Natty" (a slang term for a Rastafarian man) and Jah (a reference to God) will be there to see them through.
Marley's lyrics encourage the listener to find the strength and courage to persevere through difficult times. He uses the metaphor of a ship being tossed and battered by the sea to symbolize the hardships of life. The repetition of the phrase "lost and found, who speak I give" reinforces the idea that even when we feel lost, we can always find our voice through Jah's guidance.
Overall, the lyrics to I Know A Place emphasize Marley's belief in the power of faith, hope, and community during trying times. The song's lyrics are both comforting and empowering and remind the listener that they can find the strength to overcome life's challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Wo, man, deh you are!
Hey there, my friend!
When the race gets hard to run,
When life gets difficult,
It means you just can't take the pace.
It's because you're feeling overwhelmed.
When it's time to have your fun,
When it's time to enjoy life,
You find the tears run on down through your face,
But instead, you end up crying.
Then you stop and think a little:
At this point, take a moment to reflect.
Are you the victim of the system?
Wonder if the system is holding you back.
Any day now they gon' let you down;
Soon, the system may disappoint you.
Remember, Natty will be there To see you through.
But Natty, the singer, will be there to support you.
And ain't it good to know (know) now:
Isn't it great to realize now:
Jah will be waiting there.
That God will be there waiting to help you.
Wait in Summer, wait in Spring,
Regardless of the season,
Wait in Autumn, Winter thing,
Whether it's winter or autumn,
(Tribe) goes up, all the tribe goes down:
Sometimes the group is doing well and other times, not so much.
Bring my children from the end of d'earth
Let all of our people come together.
Many a time I sit and wonder why
Often, I ponder why
This race so - so very hard to run,
Life can be challenging.
Then I say to my soul: take courage,
But then I tell myself: be strong.
Battle to be won,
I must keep fighting to overcome.
Like a ship that's tossed and driven,
It feels like being caught in a storm,
Battered by the angry sea, yea-eah!
And getting battered by the waves.
Say the tide of time was raging;
As time goes by and circumstances change,
Don't let the fury fall on me, no, no!
I can't let it overwhelm me!
'Cause I know (know) -know:
Because I am aware
Jah will be waiting there;
That God is always there to help.
Lost and found, who speak I give;
I will give a voice to the lost and found,
Speak I give, lost and found.
And ensure they both have a say.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mattiafranceceschini15
Wo, man, deh you are!
When the race gets hard to run,
It means you just can't take the pace.
When it's time to have your fun,
You find the tears run on down through your face,
Then you stop and think a little:
Are you the victim of the system?
Anyday now they gon' let you down;
Remember, Natty will be there
To see you through.
now:
Jah will be waiting there.
(I) Ain't it doggone good to know (know) , you all;
Jah will be waiting there.
Wait in Summer, wait in Spring,
Wait in Autumn, Winter thing,
(Tribe) goes up, all the tribe goes down:
Bring my children from the end of d'earth
Many a time I sit and wonder why
This race so - so very hard to run,
Then I say to my soul: take courage,
Battle to be won,
Like a ship that's tossed and driven,
Battered by the angry sea, yea-eah!
Say the tide of time was raging;
Don't let the fury fall on me, no, no!
-know:
Jah will be waiting there;
(I) Ain't it good to know (know) now:
Jah will be waiting there. Wo-oo-o-oo-o! Ooh, yeah!
Lost and found, who speak I give;
Lost and found, who speak I give;
Speak I give, lost and found.
Lost and found, who speak I give;
Lost and found, who speak I give.
@barringtonedwards7008
@@Eddie_is_TooSweet
BOB IS NOT YOUR DADDY SILLY.
HE IS MY DADDY.
I AND MY MARLEY BROTHERS.
FB, IG, YT MY NAME.
I AM BOB'S FIRST SPIRITUAL CREATION.
TODAY BOB REINCARNATED AS DAMIAN.
I AM HIS FIRSTBORN SPIRITUAL SON.
@dukibeats1160
Lyrics
Wo, man, deh you are!
When the race gets hard to run,
It means you just can't take the pace.
When it's time to have your fun,
You find the tears run on down through your face,
Then you stop and think a little:
Are you the victim of the system?
Anyday now they gon' let you down;
Remember, Natty will be there
To see you through.
@alfioplays7443
This lyrics should be taught in every school around the globe..a prophet in the flesh
@richardellis8503
Will never happen
@manaman8085
@@richardellis8503no shit
@bryanfalcon5125
I agree
@jermo1213
Oh my God! Yessir
@reubenwest5605
🫵you have that right 🎉
@kevinsawyers2804
This is his most complicated song to me and my favorite of all their songs
This song is a sermon and a psalm that brings me to the core example of Roots Rock Reggae
@teejamgal
This song makes me cry 😢😢😢
@tammimaphanga1599
That's me
@violetadonis3246
I still have this on vinyl, they do not make music like this anymore!