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 Made A Mistake
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Made a mistake, yes, I did, yes, I did
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake
My trusting her has gone much too late
I've sent away the girl I love
I said, I've sent away the girl I love
She well gone, people crying
Who is it who made that mistake?
Who is it who made that mistake?
Oh, what a fool I've been tonight
The girl I love is out of sight
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake
My trusting her has gone much too late
Oh, what a fool I've been tonight
The girl I love is out of sight
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake, my, my mistake
Who lost because of my mistake
In the song "I Made A Mistake" by Bob Marley, the artist sings about a mistake he has made which has led to him losing the love of his life. The lyrics of the song are simple, but the message conveyed is a deep and emotionally charged one. Bob Marley speaks of his regret and heartbreak for his action of sending away the girl he loves, who is now gone forever. He acknowledges that his mistake has cost him dearly and that he is now far away from the woman he loves.
The song speaks to the universal and relatable feeling of regret that we all feel at some point in our lives. It is a reminder that sometimes our decisions can lead us down the wrong path, and we must live with the consequences of our actions. The song also speaks to the theme of love and loss, which are recurring themes in Bob Marley's music. The artist uses his lyrics to convey the pain and heartbreak of losing someone we love due to our own mistakes.
In conclusion, Bob Marley's "I Made A Mistake" is a simple but emotional song that speaks to the universal feeling of regret and loss. It is a reminder that sometimes the decisions we make can have serious consequences and that we must always be mindful of our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
I made a mistake, yes, I did, yes, I did
Admitting to making a mistake
Made a mistake, yes, I did, yes, I did
Reiterating the acknowledgement of making a mistake
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
The result of the mistake - losing the girl he loves
Who lost because of my mistake
Asking who is responsible for the mistake and its consequences
My trusting her has gone much too late
Regret for not trusting the girl he loves sooner
I've sent away the girl I love
Taking responsibility for causing the girl to leave
Said, my bold heart been dying
Expressing the emotional pain caused by the mistake
She well gone, people crying
The girl has left and it has caused sadness
Who is it who made that mistake?
Further questioning of who is responsible for the mistake
Oh, what a fool I've been tonight
Feeling foolish for making the mistake and losing the girl he loves
The girl I love is out of sight
The consequence of the mistake - losing the girl he loves
Who lost because of my mistake, my, my mistake
Reiterating the responsibility for the mistake and its consequences
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matthew6905
♪ I made a mistake, yes, I did, yes, I did
Made a mistake, yes, I did, yes, I did
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake
My trusting her has gone much too late
I've sent away the girl I love
I said, I've sent away the girl I love
She well gone, people crying
Said, my bold heart been dying
Who is it who made that mistake?
Who is it who made that mistake?
Oh, what a fool I've been tonight
The girl I love is out of sight
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake
My trusting her has gone much too late
Oh, what a fool I've been tonight
The girl I love is out of sight
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake, my, my mistake
Who lost because of my mistake ♫
@matthew6905
♪ I made a mistake, yes, I did, yes, I did
Made a mistake, yes, I did, yes, I did
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake
My trusting her has gone much too late
I've sent away the girl I love
I said, I've sent away the girl I love
She well gone, people crying
Said, my bold heart been dying
Who is it who made that mistake?
Who is it who made that mistake?
Oh, what a fool I've been tonight
The girl I love is out of sight
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake
My trusting her has gone much too late
Oh, what a fool I've been tonight
The girl I love is out of sight
Now I'm so far from her, but it was me and my fate
Who lost because of my mistake, my, my mistake
Who lost because of my mistake ♫
@f4exb06
Was the firs song I heard from Bob Marley as this was the first track on the Birth of a Legend album. The first LP I got as Bob Marley was still alive. I love the organ on this one.
@ddtfrogsplash4285
CURTIS MAYFIELD COVER
@meltthecelt
Almost certainly Peter was playing the organ.
@rakin1382
This brother made a million songs since I was a child, I am listening to his music and I always find a new one for me.peace and love and music.
@ddtfrogsplash4285
CURTIS MAYFIELD COVER
@OdinOfficialEmcee
Gotta shout out and give thanks to Immortal Technique for introducing me to this gem
@clifffasthorse8505
I listened to a lot of Bob too but damn
@andersmyrhaug6996
me too... played IT mistake for 15(?) years, know theres a sample I have heard before and now I am here... Scandalnavia
@thenihilist5399
Technique is the man