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
Lively up your self
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lively up yourself, 'cause this is the other bag
Hey, lively up yourself and don't say no
Your gonna lively up yourself, 'cause I said so
Hey, you rock so, you rock so, like you never did before
You dip so, you dip so, and you can dip through my door
You come so, you come so, oh yeah
Your gonna lively up yourself and don't say no
You lively up yourself, big daddy said so
Lively up yourself and don't be no drag
You lively up yourself, 'cause reggae is another beg
What you got, I don't know
I'm trying to wonder why you act so
Yeah
You lively up yourself your woman in a morning time y'all
You lively up yourself
Come on babe
Lively up yourself, you gonna rock so
You rock so, you dig so you skank so, and don't be no drag
What you got in the bag hanging there
What you say you got, I don't believe you
The song "Lively Up Yourself" by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh is an upbeat song encouraging people to embrace their true selves and let loose in the music. The title and the repetition of the lyrics "lively up yourself" throughout the song encourage the listener to let go of any inhibitions or worries and just enjoy the music. The phrase "this is the other bag" is likely referring to the slang term for marijuana, suggesting that the music and the drug go hand in hand to create a carefree and enjoyable experience. The song also references the popular dance moves of the time, including rocking, dipping, and skanking, encouraging listeners to get up and dance.
The line "what you got in the bag hanging there, what you say you got, I don't believe you" adds a slightly skeptical tone to the song, suggesting that the person speaking is not interested in material possessions or superficiality. Instead, they value the experience of the music and the people around them. The final lines of the song refer to a woman who can "lively up yourself in a morning time," suggesting that the influence of the music can extend beyond the party and into everyday life.
Overall, "Lively Up Yourself" is a fun and optimistic song that encourages people to let go and embrace the good vibes of the music.
Line by Line Meaning
Lively up yourself and don't be no drag
Increase your energy and enthusiasm and don't be a downer
Lively up yourself, 'cause this is the other bag
Boost your mood and vibe, as this is a different experience
Hey, lively up yourself and don't say no
Come on, raise your spirit and don't refuse
Your gonna lively up yourself, 'cause I said so
You will improve your liveliness, as I commanded
Hey, you rock so, you rock so, like you never did before
Hey, you move so rhythmically, never like you did earlier
You dip so, you dip so, and you can dip through my door
You execute the dance move beautifully, and you can enter my place easily
You come so, you come so, oh yeah
You move so effortlessly, oh yes
You skank so, you skank so, and-a I can assure you
You perform the reggae dance style with excellence, and I can confirm that
You lively up yourself, big daddy said so
You enhance your mood, as the authority instructed
You lively up yourself and don't be no drag
Elevate your energy and enthusiasm and avoid being dull
You lively up yourself, 'cause reggae is another beg
You cheer yourself up, as reggae is another type of music
What you got, I don't know
I'm not aware of your possessions
I'm trying to wonder why you act so
I'm attempting to figure out why you are behaving in that way
You lively up yourself your woman in a morning time y'all
You brighten up your mood and that of your female companion in the morning
Come on babe
Encouraging the woman to be lively and energetic
Lively up yourself, you gonna rock so
Elevate your mood and energy, and you will be excellent
What you got in the bag hanging there
What do you have in the bag that you're carrying
What you say you got, I don't believe you
I don't believe what you claim to have
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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 don’t know
@erockromulan9329
Hits with no pain every time
@sherylmac40
🎯
@mlovings4793
Indeed
@judithevans325
I work at a kindergarten and I put this on blast for the kids. And me
@sagevoid
Positive vibrations!
@darrenallen2399
Irie 🔥
@chelseamusick1101
Awwww