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
Misty morning
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know you're out there somewhere having fun
There is one mystery, yeah
I just can't express
To give your more, to receive your less
One of my good friend said, in a reggae riddim
Don't jump in the water, if you can't swim
The power of philosophy, yeah, floats through my head
Light like a feather, heavy as lead, yeah
See no sun
Oh
Time has come, I want you
I want you to straighten out my tomorrow
Uh
I want, I want, I want you (tomorrow)
Oh, woah
I want you to straighten out my tomorrow
Misty (morning) mornin', don't see no sun
I know you're out there somewhere having fun
Mysteries I just can't express
How can you ever give your more to receive your less?
Like my good friend said, in a reggae riddim
You can't jump, you can't jump in the water, if you can't swim
I want you (I want you) I want you to straighten out my today
My tomorrow, my, my, my, my, my
(I want you to straighten out my tomorrow)
On a misty morning, uh (I want you to straighten out my tomorrow) straighten out my tomorrow, my tomorrow
Need some straightenin' out
(I want you to straighten out my tomorrow)
Mist
(I want) mist (you to straighten out my tomorrow)
Misty, oh (I want you to straighten out my tomorrow)
The lyrics of Misty Morning by Bob Marley & The Wailers convey a mood that is sad and reflective. The absence of the sun creates a sense of gloom and the singer feels uncertain as he contemplates a mystery he is unable to express. The lines "To give your more, to receive your less" suggest a struggle for balance in relationships, where the singer feels he is putting in more than he is getting out. The reference to a friend's advice about not jumping into water if you can't swim represents a metaphor for life. The singer understands the importance of taking responsibility for oneself and not taking unnecessary risks.
The repeated refrain "I want you to straighten out my tomorrow" speaks to the singer's desire for clarity and direction in his life. He is looking for someone to guide him and help him make sense of his experiences. The power of philosophy floats through his head, suggesting that he is searching for deeper meaning and understanding. The line "Light like a feather, heavy as lead" is an interesting contrast that implies the complexity of the singer's emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Misty mornin', don't see no sun
It's a foggy morning, and there's no sign of the sun.
I know you're out there somewhere having fun
The sun is probably somewhere else, shining and enjoying itself.
There is one mystery, yeah
There's something mysterious going on that the singer can't quite explain.
I just can't express
The artist doesn't have words to describe the mystery.
To give your more, to receive your less
The artist's trying to figure out how to give more and get less in return, but it seems impossible.
One of my good friend said, in a reggae riddim
The singer recalls some wise advice given by a friend in the form of a reggae song.
Don't jump in the water, if you can't swim
The singer's friend warned against taking on more than one can handle.
The power of philosophy, yeah, floats through my head
The artist is contemplating deep thoughts and ideas.
Light like a feather, heavy as lead
These thoughts can be both light and ephemeral or heavy and burdensome.
Light like a feather, heavy as lead, yeah
These thoughts can be both light and heavy at the same time, a paradox.
Time has come, I want you
The singer is addressing someone or something, perhaps the sun or the mystery.
I want you to straighten out my tomorrow
The artist is seeking clarity and guidance for the future.
I want, I want, I want you (tomorrow)
The singer repeats their desire for the same thing - a clear path to the future.
I want you to straighten out my tomorrow
Reiterating the singer's hope for guidance and resolve for the future.
Need some straightenin' out
The singer is admitting that they need help.
Mist
Here the artist just repeats the word 'mist,' maybe expressing a feeling of being lost or unclear.
Misty, oh
Repeating the previous line, indicating a sense of sadness or frustration.
I want you to straighten out my tomorrow
Still seeking guidance and clarity for the future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gabriel Caichac Avilés
Misty mornin', don't see no sun
I know you're out there somewhere having fun
There is one mystery yea-ea-eah I just can't express
To give your more, to receive your less
One of my good friend said, in a reggae riddim
Don't jump in the water, if you can't swim
The power of philosophy yea-ea-eah floats through my head
Light like a feather, heavy as lead
Light like a feather, heavy as lead, yeah
See no sun! (ohh)
Time has come, I want you
I want you to straighten out my tomorrow! (uh)
I want I want I want you (tomorrow)
Oh, wo-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!
I want you to straighten out my (tomorrow)
Misty (morning) mornin', don't see no sun
I know you're out there somewhere having fun
Mysteries I just can't express
How can you ever give your more to receive your less?
Like my good friend said, in a reggae riddim
You can't jump, you can't jump in the water, if you can't swim
I want you (I want you) I want you to straighten out my today
My tomorrow my my my my my
(I want you to straighten out my tomorrow)
On a misty morning, uh! (I want you to straighten out my tomorrow)
Oh-oh oh-oh-oh-oh!(I want you to straighten out my tomorrow)
Straighten out my tomorrow my tomorrow!
Need some straightenin' out!
Mist! Mist! (I want you to straighten out my tomorrow)
Misty! Oh! (I want you to straighten out my tomorrow)
Ninjah
TRADUCTION EN FR
Matin brumeux, je ne vois aucun soleil
Je sais que tu es là quelque part en train de t’amuser
Il y a un mystère que je n'arrive pas à m’expliquer :
Donner plus pour recevoir moins
Un de mes bons amis a dit sur un rythme reggae :
« Ne te jette pas à l’eau si tu ne sais pas nager »
La force de la philosophie me flotte dans la tête
Légère comme une plume, lourde comme du plomb
Légère comme une plume, lourde comme du plomb
Je ne vois aucun soleil ! Oh
Il est temps, je veux que tu -
Je veux que tu mettes de l’ordre dans mes lendemains ! Uh.
Je veux que tu mettes de l’ordre dans mes lendemains !
Matin brumeux, je ne vois aucun soleil
Je sais que tu es là quelque part en train de t’amuser
Un mystère que je n'arrive pas à m’expliquer :
Comme peut-on sans cesse donner plus pour recevoir moins ?
Comme mon bon ami a dit sur un rythme reggae :
« Tu ne peux pas – tu ne peux pas te jeter à l’eau si tu ne sais pas nager »
Je veux que tu - je veux que tu mettes de l’ordre dans mon aujourd’hui !
Dans mes lendemains ! Mes, mes, mes, mes…
Je veux que tu mettes de l’ordre dans mes lendemains !
Dans un matin brumeux !
Mahuida Günter Draconis
Una mañana con niebla, no veo el sol
sé que estás ahí fuera en alguna parte, pasándolo bien.
Hay un misterio, que simplemente no puedo expresar,
darte más, para recibir menos de ti.
Uno de mis buenos amigos me dijo, con un ritmo reggae,
no saltes al agua si no sabes nadar.
El poder de la filosofía flota a través de mi cabeza,
eres ligera como una pluma, pesada como el plomo,
ligera como una pluma, pesada como el plomo.
No veo el sol...
El momento ha llegado, quiero que tú,
quiero que tú endereces mi mañana (straight out)
Quiero que tú, quiero que tú, quiero que tú,
quiero que tú endereces mi mañana.
Una mañana con niebla, no veo el sol
sé que estás ahí fuera en alguna parte, pasándolo bien.
Misterios, que simplemente no puedo expresar,
Como puedo darte más, para recibir menos de ti.
Como dijo mi buen amigo con un ritmo reggae,
no saltes al agua si no sabes nadar.
Quiero que tú, quiero que tú endereces mi hoy,
mi mañana, quiero que tú endereces mi mañana.
En una mañana con niebla,
quiero que tú endereces mi mañana,
quiero que tú endereces mi mañana.
Bob Marley - Una mañana con niebla
Michael Alando
This was absolute musical genius at work. The background vocalists, the bass guitar and lead , the keyboard, the horns, the percussion, all the musicians...wow, wow, wow...And I haven't even talked about the lead singer...The great composer
OJAN
couldnt agree with you more brother!!
LUPO MENICONI
Yeah man!
philip man
Yes I genius at work
Oompa Loompa doompa-de-doo
Not quite sure he was much of a composer. Obviously a great singer but it was a band effort.
Ricardo Sankar
ricardo
Bernardo Portela
What an intro, what a lyrics, what a vibe, what a music!!! This is ART!!! at it's purest form
Ricky M.V
Listening to his music is how i recharge my energy so i can keep on living in this world full of haters...The peace is inside of you dont let them let you down...
Kizzy Etienne
YEAH
Fimmt
Well said, my life and Marley’s music in every stage of it taught me the same.