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
Love and Affection
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So that I may win your love?
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
You're jumping 'round like a lamb
Just because you put me in [unverified]
And I'll live my life the way that I want
But I just got to hold you and it's a sin to talk so
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
I will send for you and you make me feel so blue
Little dear, what do you want me to do?
[Unverified] just to see me through
But I can't say that I'm keen and so blue so, yeah
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
Now you're jumping 'round like a lamb
Just because you take me in [unverified]
And I'll live my life the way that I want
But I just gone through love and it is here to talk, so
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
In the song “Love And Affection,” Bob Marley & The Wailers express their desire to win someone's love. The song begins by asking the question, “What am I to do, my dear, so that I may win your love?” The singer is clearly anxious to know what he must do to gain the affections of the person he loves.
The following verse describes the object of his affection as “jumping 'round like a lamb,” which is interpreted to mean that she is showing signs of happiness and excitement. He goes on to say that he will live his life as he wants, but admits that he needs her and it is a “sin to talk.” In the second verse, he describes how she makes him feel blue, but he still needs her to “see me through.” However, he is not enthusiastic about the situation and feels “keen and so blue.”
The chorus repeats the same question, asking what he must do to win her affection. The final verse again mentions her jumping around like a lamb and how he will live his life the way he wants. However, he still needs her and cannot help but love her.
Overall, the lyrics to “Love And Affection” express the desire to win someone's love while acknowledging the difficulties that come with the pursuit of love.
Line by Line Meaning
What am I to do, my dear
The singer is asking for guidance on how to capture the affection of their beloved.
So that I may win your love?
The singer wants to impress their lover and earn their love.
You're jumping 'round like a lamb
The lover is acting giddy and excited around the singer.
Just because you put me in [unverified]
It is unclear why the lover is behaving this way, perhaps due to a recent situation between them and the artist.
And I'll live my life the way that I want
The artist believes in personal freedom and wants to live life on their own terms.
But I just got to hold you and it's a sin to talk so
Despite wanting to maintain their freedom, the singer also desires physical intimacy with their lover and can't resist them.
I will send for you and you make me feel so blue
When not in the company of the lover, the singer feels sad and lonely.
Little dear, what do you want me to do?
The artist is willing to do whatever it takes to make their lover happy and wants to know what they need.
[Unverified] just to see me through
It is uncertain what will make the situation better or what the future holds.
But I can't say that I'm keen and so blue so, yeah
Despite their sadness, the artist can't deny their feelings for their lover and wants to find a way to win their love.
Now you're jumping 'round like a lamb
The lover's behavior hasn't changed and they are still acting excited around the singer.
Just because you take me in [unverified]
There may be some unresolved tension or emotions involved between the lover and the artist.
But I just gone through love and it is here to talk, so
Despite the challenges, the singer believes that love is worth the effort and wants to communicate and work through any issues with their lover.
What am I to do, my dear
The singer is still searching for a way to capture their beloved's heart.
So that I may win your love?
The singer is determined to win their lover's affection and is searching for a way to do so.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY, NEVILLE ORIL LIVINGSTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SDDrewGS4
Iv been listening to this for years. I remember my first time too lol. I have this on CD n I blare this in my car. I know no one else on the road is the the same mood I am when I listen to this.... great vibes
Dimas randi
Tnx to my legend
Jeff H
A classic!
sheltv100
The intro of this song can be played on a basson. I played once on a basson and it sounds great!
Volleyballplayer02
:-) i love it
SinkingForever
November 8th 2009: after seven years (and others...) I listening for the first time this amazing song :,)
giuseppe cacciapuoti
grande bob
🌺 Chowsen 🌺
Lub dis!
Ano Nymous
Lucky Dutch ! Down here in France it's forbidden to just smoke a little join at home listening the greats Wailers :(
konfederate6277144
Trenchtown Days: Birth of a Legend Grate Album