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 βExodusβ (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song βOne Loveβ 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
Lively Up Yourself
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lively up yourself, oh, Reggae is another bag
Lively up yourself and don't say no
Lively up yourself, 'cause I said so
You, what you gon' do?
You rock so, you rock so
You dip so, you dip so
Till you can dip through my door
You skank so, you skank so, oh yeah
(You rock so, you rock so) come alive today
You're gonna lively up yourself and don't be no drag
Lively up yourself, oh, Reggae is another bag
Lively up yourself and don't say no
Lively up yourself, 'cause I said so
What you got that I don't know?
I'm trying to wonder, wonder why you
Wonder, wonder why you act so (lively up yourself)
And don't be no drag
Lively up yourself, oh, Reggae is another bag
(Lively up yourself)
(Lively up yourself) your woman in the morning time y'all
(Lively up yourself) oh, keep livening up your woman in the evening time
And take it, take it, take it, take it
(Lively up yourself) I wanna be lively myself
Got no socks and no shirt (lively up yourself) I gotta lively up myself
(Lively up yourself)
(Lively up yourself) your woman in the morning time
(Lively up yourself) your woman in the evening too, now
Now! (lively up yourself)
(Lively up yourself)
(Lively up yourself)
(Lively up yourself)
(Lively up yourself)
(Lively up yourself)
(Lively up)
Rastafari and mighty man!
The song βLively Up Yourselfβ by Bob Marley is an upbeat and lively track that encourages the listener to let loose and embrace the reggae music. The lyrics encourage the listener to βlively up yourself,β meaning to have a good time, be joyful, and dance to the beat of the music. The song also recognizes reggae music as a unique genre that is different from other forms of music, and encourages people to experience its distinct rhythms and melodies.
The first stanza establishes the theme of the song: to encourage people to βlively up themselvesβ and enjoy reggae music. The repetition of the phrase βlively up yourselfβ and the use of imperative verbs like βdonβt say noβ and βcause I said soβ emphasize the urgency and importance of having a good time. The song then moves on to describe how people can βrock,β βdip,β and βskankβ to the music, encouraging listeners to let go of their inhibitions and enjoy the moment.
The lyrics also mention Rastafari, a religion that Bob Marley followed, in the final line of the song: βRastafari and mighty man!β This emphasizes the connection between reggae music and Rastafari, highlighting the fact that reggae music is often influenced by Rastafarian beliefs and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Lively up yourself and don't be no drag
Get energized and enthusiastic about life and don't be a negative influence
Lively up yourself, oh, Reggae is another bag
Reggae music has the power to lift your mood and change your mindset
Lively up yourself and don't say no
Say yes to opportunities and experiences that come your way and be open-minded
Lively up yourself, 'cause I said so
Take action and improve your attitude based on my suggestion
You, what you gon' do?
Asking the listener what actions they will take to improve their mood
You rock so, you rock so
You're moving your body in a rhythmical and energetic manner
Like you never did before
With more enthusiasm and energy than ever before
You dip so, you dip so
Your dance involves dipping your body in a fun and playful way
Till you can dip through my door
Your dance moves are so energetic that they reach someone else's space
You skank so, you skank so, oh yeah
Your dance involves the traditional Jamaican skanking movement and it's awesome
(You rock so, you rock so) come alive today
Become fully alive and engaged in the moment through your energizing dance moves
What you got that I don't know?
Asking someone about their impressive dance skills
I'm trying to wonder, wonder why you
Curious about why your dance moves are so impressive
Wonder, wonder why you act so (lively up yourself)
Wondering what inspired you to dance so energetically
And don't be no drag
And don't bring others down with your negative attitude
Lively up yourself, oh, Reggae is another bag
Reggae music has a unique power to uplift and energize people
(Lively up yourself)
Encouraging the listener to continue on their path of self-improvement
(Lively up yourself) your woman in the morning time y'all
Encouraging men to brighten their partners' day with lively energy in the morning
(Lively up yourself) oh, keep livening up your woman in the evening time
Encouraging men to keep their partners' energy levels up in the evening as well
And take it, take it, take it, take it
Fully embrace and embody the spirit of liveliness and enthusiasm
(Lively up yourself) I wanna be lively myself
Expressing a desire to be more energetic and enthusiastic
Got no socks and no shirt (lively up yourself) I gotta lively up myself
Even without material possessions, one can find energy and vitality within themselves
(Lively up yourself) your woman in the morning time
Repeating the advice to bring energy and enthusiasm to one's partner in the morning
(Lively up yourself) your woman in the evening too, now
Repeating the advice to keep one's partner lively and energized in the evening
Now! (lively up yourself)
Urging the listener to start the process of liveliness and enthusiasm right now
(Lively up yourself)
Once again, encouraging the listener to become more lively and energized
(Lively up yourself)
Repeating the main message of the song: become more lively and enthusiastic
(Lively up yourself)
Closing out the song with one final encouragement to the listener to be more lively
(Lively up yourself)
Finally, reiterating the importance of becoming more lively and energetic
Rastafari and mighty man!
A celebratory and uplifting message for the Rastafari movement and all those who embody the spirit of liveliness and enthusiasm
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@simonclews
Had an epiphany while cooking dinner tonight. I suddenly remembered, out of the blue, that this was the best reggae song ever written, and I hadn't heard it in over 25 years! Played it just now and had it confirmed all over again.
@sf7862
Love it . Bless up
@aaronkauffman3879
What you got that I donβt know
@erockromulan9329
Hits with no pain every time
@sherylmac40
π―
@mlovings4793
Indeed
@judithevans325
I work at a kindergarten and I put this on blast for the kids. And me
@sagevoid
Positive vibrations!
@darrenallen2399
Irie π₯
@chelseamusick1101
Awwww