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
Keep on Movin'
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
I've been accused for the killin'
Lord knows I didn't do
And that's why I've got to get on through
Lord, they're coming after me (a-one more time)
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
(Now, listen) I've got two boys and a woman
They're just gonna suffer now
Lord, forgive me for not goin' back
But I'll be there anyhow
I'll be there anyhow (one more time)
(I say) Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Lord, I've got to get on down
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Where I can't be found
Lord, they're coming after me
Now, maybe someday I'll find a piece of land
Somewhere not by near anyone
Then I'll send for my love, love, love, love, sweet woman
And my two grown-up son
My two grown up-son (yeah, yeah, yeah)
(I say now) Lord I've got to keep on moving
Bob Marley's song "Keep on Movin" is a powerful anthem of survival and determination in the face of persecution. The opening lines of the track convey the urgency and fear of someone on the run, with Marley singing, "Lord, I've got to keep on moving / Lord, I've got to get on down / Lord, I've got to keep on moving / Where I can't be found / Lord, they're coming after me." The singer has been accused of a crime he didn't commit and knows that his life is in danger.
As the song progresses, Marley describes his anguish at leaving behind his family, including his two sons and a woman he loves. He offers a heartfelt plea for forgiveness, saying, "Lord, forgive me for not goin' back / But I'll be there anyhow / I'll be there anyhow." Despite the dangers he faces, Marley remains optimistic that he will one day find a place where he can live freely with his loved ones, singing, "Now, maybe someday I'll find a piece of land / Somewhere not by near anyone / Then I'll send for my love, love, love, love, sweet woman / And my two grown-up son / My two grown-up son."
"Keep on Movin" is a song about the human spirit's indomitable resilience in the face of oppression and adversity. Marley's stirring performance captures the urgency of someone on the run, the pain of having to leave loved ones behind, and the hope that one day, he'll find a place to call home. The song is a testament to the power of music as a force for social justice and change.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
I need to keep moving from place to place so that those who are after me can’t catch me and punish me for a crime I didn’t commit.
Lord, I've got to get on down
I need to keep travelling to stay safe and elude those who are after me.
Lord, they're coming after me
I am being pursued by people who are looking to harm me for something I didn’t do.
I've been accused for the killin', Lord knows I didn't do
I have been falsely blamed for a murder I did not commit.
For hangin' me, they are willin', yeah, yeah
They are willing to punish me unjustly, even if it means executing me by hanging.
And that's why I've got to get on through
That is the reason why I need to keep moving to new locations to avoid getting caught and persecuted.
Lord, I've got to keep on moving (a-one more time)
I must continue to travel so that those who are after me cannot catch me and bring me to harm.
I've got two boys and a woman, they're just gonna suffer now
My two sons and woman are bearing the brunt of my decision to keep moving as they are unable to settle down and lead a normal life due to my situation.
Lord, forgive me for not goin' back, but I'll be there anyhow
Forgive me, Lord, for not being able to go back to my family and help them lead a better life. But I will be there for them in spirit, no matter where I go.
Now, maybe someday I'll find a piece of land, somewhere not by near anyone
One day, I hope to find a place where I can settle down alone, far away from people, and finally have some peace and safety.
Then I'll send for my love, love, love, love, sweet woman, and my two grown-up sons
Once I've found that place, I will send word for my family to come and join me so that we can finally lead a peaceful life.
Lord, I've got to keep on moving
Lord, I need to keep moving until I find that safe haven that I so desperately need.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Lord, I’ve got to keep on moving
Lord, I’ve got to get on down
Lord, I’ve got to keep on moving
Where I can’t be found
Lord, they’re coming after me
I’ve been accused for the killin’
Lord knows I didn’t do
For hangin’ me, they are willin’, yeah, yeah
And that’s why I’ve got to get on through
Lord, they’re coming after me (a-one more time)
Lord, I’ve got to keep on moving
Lord, I’ve got to get on down
Lord, I’ve got to keep on moving
Where I can’t be found
Lord, they’re coming after me
I’ve got 2 boys and a woman 👩
They’re just gonna suffer now
Lord, forgive me for not goin’ back
But I’ll be there anyhow
I’ll be there anyhow (1 more time)
Lord, I’ve got to keep on moving
Lord, I’ve got to get on down
Lord, I’ve got to keep on moving
Where I can’t be found
Lord, they’re coming after me
Now, maybe someday I’ll find a piece of land
Somewhere not by near anyone
Then I’ll send for my love 😍 love 💕 love 💕 love 💕 sweet woman 👩
And my 2 grown-up son
My 2 grown-up son (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Lord I’ve got to keep on moving
Brian Acheson
I love Bob, such a positive person. He made the world a better place!
Joey Wolf
This song came into my life when I needed it
DADDY KANAIRO
me too Bob is still a legend
G.O.O.D Kid B.U.R.N City
Ain't that something
Yusuf Muhammad
Seen
Phaedra The Nerd
this song got me through some tough times ✊❤️
Like-a-Twinkie..Like-a-Twinkie..
I absolutely love this song!! One love my good people!! Let's keep on movin' and groovin' as long as we can in this life! Together forever!
mrmuh2000
Listening to this song makes me feel like Bob has sprang back to life. His spirit is contagious, and ever present. I listened to this song in a 95 degree weather, in Miami Florida, and now I am listening to it in a 35 degree weather, in Fairfax Virginia. 2 different places with different people, but yet the feeling remains the same. Bob Marley, Rest In Peace, and in the highest of Heaven. And may Eternity has it that one day I would listen to you singing this song live way up there. Bob Marley, the “Che Guvera” of song............
pharoallah
I could not have said it better myself.
Nicole MacIntyre-Micallef
This song never gets old..❤️