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 shot the the Sheriff
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I didn't shoot no deputy
Oh, no, no
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy
Ooh
All around in my hometown
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For the life of a deputy
For the life of a deputy
But I say
I shot the sheriff
(But I swear it was in self-defense) I swear it was in self-defense, yeah
It was I shot the sheriff
And they say it is a capital offense
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
For what, I don't know
Every time I plant a seed
He said kill them before it grow
He said kill them before they grow
And so
And so
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot the deputy
It was I shot the sheriff
(But I didn't shoot the deputy) I didn't shoot the deputy, no, no
Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town, yeah
Then all of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown
He was aiming to shoot I down
So I shot, yes, I shot, shot him down
And I say
I-I-I-I shot the sheriff
Lord, I didn't shoot the deputy
(No, no, no)
It was I who shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot the deputy
Reflexes had the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket goes to the well
I say, one day the bottom a-go drop out
One day the bottom will drop out
And so
And so
Really sing
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot the deputy
(No, no, no)
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot the deputy
The song "I Shot The Sheriff" by Bob Marley & The Wailers, released in 1973, is a story of a man who admits to killing the local sheriff but denies shooting the deputy. He claims that he acted in self-defense when he saw the sheriff aiming to shoot him down. The lyrics suggest that the man had a difficult relationship with the law enforcement officer, who always seemed to have something against him. The man felt that the sheriff was out to get him and always tried to interfere with his plans, even going as far as asking him to kill his own seeds, aka children.
The song revolves around the themes of power dynamics, oppression, and authority. The lyrics suggest a corrupt police force with no regard for the lives and rights of those they are supposed to protect. The man in the song feels like he has been wronged by the sheriff and has no other choice but to fight back. He refuses to be another victim of the system and defends himself against the oppression that he faces.
Overall, "I Shot The Sheriff" is a powerful commentary on the relationship between the police and the community, the themes of individual and collective resistance against oppression, and the idea of self-determination.
Line by Line Meaning
I shot the sheriff
I killed Sheriff John Brown
But I didn't shoot no deputy
I did not kill any other law enforcement officers
Oh, no, no
I am expressing surprise or dismay at the situation
I shot the sheriff
I am reaffirming that I killed Sheriff John Brown
But I didn't shoot no deputy
Again, I am emphasizing that I did not kill any other law enforcement officers
Ooh
I am expressing a feeling of intense emotion
All around in my hometown
People in my town are looking for me
They're tryin' to track me down
They are attempting to locate me
They say they want to bring me in guilty
They accuse me of a crime and want to arrest me for it
For the life of a deputy
Specifically, they want to arrest me for killing a law enforcement officer
But I say
But my perspective on the situation is
I shot the sheriff
Once again, I acknowledge that I killed Sheriff John Brown
(But I swear it was in self-defense) I swear it was in self-defense, yeah
However, I want to make it clear that I acted in self-defense in the situation
And they say it is a capital offense
Despite my claim of self-defense, the authorities still consider my actions a capital offense
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
Sheriff John Brown had a personal grudge against me for some unknown reason
For what, I don't know
I am not aware of the reason for Sheriff John Brown's hatred
Every time I plant a seed
Whenever I start something new or make progress
He said kill them before it grow
Sheriff John Brown always discouraged and stopped my progress before it could even start
And so
As a result
And so
Once again, as a result of Sheriff John Brown's actions
Freedom came my way one day
I had an opportunity to escape and be free one day
And I started out of town, yeah
I took advantage of this opportunity and left town
Then all of a sudden I saw sheriff John Brown
At some point, I unexpectedly ran into Sheriff John Brown
He was aiming to shoot I down
He was threatening my safety with a gun
So I shot, yes, I shot, shot him down
In response to the threat, I fired my own weapon and killed him
Lord, I didn't shoot the deputy
I want to emphasize once again that I did not harm any other law enforcement officers
(No, no, no)
I am once again expressing strong negative emotion
Reflexes had the better of me
My instinctual reactions and reflexes took over in the moment
And what is to be must be
I am accepting the consequences of my actions
Every day the bucket goes to the well
I am acknowledging the routine nature of life, and that each day inevitably follows the next
I say, one day the bottom a-go drop out
However, I also recognize that things can change suddenly and without warning
One day the bottom will drop out
Someday, there will be a major and unexpected change
And so
Once again, acknowledging the inevitable nature of life
And so
To summarize once again
Really sing
I am emphasizing the importance of what I am about to say next
I shot the sheriff
Once again, I am reiterating that I killed Sheriff John Brown
But I didn't shoot the deputy
I want to emphasize one last time that I did not harm any other law enforcement officers
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@joellewis7409
September 17, 2007 at 4:48 PM EDT - Updated July 2 at 6:06 AM
(CINCINNATI) -- A
man was sentenced to 13 years in prison today for shooting an Addyston police officer.
Joell Lewis / Courtesy Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
Joell Lewis, 18, was found guilty of shooting Lt. Dave
Pahner in July of last year.
Pahner was leading Lewis to the police station
when Lewis pulled a 9 millimeter handgun
and shot the officer. Lewis ran across the
street to the Lanxess plant where officers
O
@remote8117
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
All around in my home town
They're trying to track me down
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For the killing of a deputy
For the life of a deputy, but I say
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I shot the sheriff, and they say it is a capital offense
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
For what I don't know
Every time that I plant a seed
He said, "Kill it before it grows"
He said, "Kill it before it grows", I say
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
I shot the sheriff, but I swear it was in self-defense
Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town
All of a sudden I see sheriff John Brown
Aiming to shoot me down
So I shot, I shot him down, I say
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy
Reflexes got the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket goes to the well
But one day the bottom will drop out
Yes, one day the bottom will drop out, but I say
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no
I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy, oh no
@baddomingo6240
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy, oh no, oh
I shot the sheriff
But I didn't shoot no deputy, ooh, ooh, ooh
Yeah! All around in my home town
They're tryin' to track me down, yeah
They say they want to bring me in guilty
For the killing of a deputy
For the life of a deputy but I say
Oh, now, now, oh
I shot the sheriff
(But I swear it was in self-defence) oh no, oh, oh, ooh
Yeah, I say, I shot the sheriff oh, Lord (and they say it is a capital offence)
Yeah, yeah! Hear that
Sheriff John Brown always hated me
For what, I don't know
Every time I plant a seed
He said kill it before it grow
He said kill them before they grow, and so-and-so
Read it in the news!
oh, Lord!
But I swear it was in self-defence
Where was the deputy? (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
I say, I shot the sheriff
But I swear it was in self-defence, yeah! (Ooh)
Freedom came my way one day
And I started out of town, yeah
All of a sudden I saw Sheriff John Brown aiming to shoot me down
So, I shot, I shot, I shot him down and I say
If I am guilty I will pay (pay, pay, pay, pay...)
but I say but I didn't shoot no deputy
I didn't shoot no deputy, no (ooh, ooh, ooh)
(I shot the sheriff) I agree
(But I didn't shoot no deputy) oh
(Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Reflexes had got the better of me
And what is to be must be
Every day the bucket a-go a-well
One day the bottom a-go drop out
One day the bottom a-go drop out
I say
I, I, I, I shot the sheriff
Lord, I didn't shot the deputy, no
I, I (shot the sheriff)
But I didn't shoot no deputy yeah
So, yeah
@kendricklamar1731
Words can’t describe how timeless this song is, been jamming to this song for 17years now still never gets the old
@bodoor8172
Eric Claptons blues version is much better.
@kendricklamar1731
@@bodoor8172 I’ll give it a listen
@AnarcoRua
Irmão Bob Marley sempre será lembrado pra quem ama aquele reggae raiz
@RLindsey43
Did America move?
@bobpatino8235
I really think he was guilty like Wtf how you gonna shoot some one over some plants, but hey I’m no body to judge bob
@jaylene.turner6524
Bob left us way too soon,
but his music will live on forever.
(February 6th,1945-
May 11th,1981)
@amandajackson2193
“My richness is in life, forever” - Bob Marley.
@coronagodthefather3286
It was I corona 👑 jah jah rastafari god the father of Jesus Christ who governments put on the cross that shot all governments thiefs of working class slaves,get up stand up,so much trubel in the world,slave driver, could you be loved, want more, all prophecy s
@ozgurgurbuz6609
He left when I was 12 days old.