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
Mr. Brown
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mr. Brown is a clown who rides through town in a coffin
(Where he be found?)
In the coffin where there is three crows on top and two is laughing
Oh, what a confusion
Ooh, yeah, yeah
What a botheration, ooh, now, now
Who is Mr. Brown? I wanna know now
He is nowhere to be found
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin running around
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town
Asking for Mr. Brown
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin running around
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town
Asking for Mr. Brown
I wanna know who ooh
(Is Mr. Brown)
Is Mr. Brown controlled by remote?
Oh, Calling duppy conqueror
I'm the ghost catcher
This is your chance, oh big, big Bill bull-bucka
Take your chance, prove yourself, oh, yeah
Down in parade
People running like a masquerade
The police make a raid
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, think it fade
What a thing in town
Crows, chauffeur driven around
Skankiness if they had never known
The man they call "Mr. Brown"
I can tell you where he's from now
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin running around
"Mr. Brown" is a reggae song by Bob Marley and the Wailers that was released in 1970. The lyrics of the song are a playful commentary on the social confusion and chaos caused by the mythical character Mr. Brown, who is depicted as a clown who rides around town in a coffin. The song opens with a question about the identity of Mr. Brown and the confusion he brings to the town with his antics. The coffin carrying Mr. Brown is adorned by three crows, two of which are laughing, creating an eerie and unusual sight.
The next verse of the song provides a geographical scope of Mr. Brown's impact, from Mandeville to Sligoville, outlining how his actions are causing an unsettling stir in the community. The song suggests that Mr. Brown may be controlled by some form of remote power and calls upon a ghost conqueror to help catch him. The song creates a vivid picture of the chaos that ensues, with people running like a masquerade and police making a raid.
The lyrics provide a whimsical and intriguing commentary on the social chaos created by Mr. Brown, a clown who is causing a stir with his antics. The song provides an insight into the playful and socially conscious style of Bob Marley's music.
Line by Line Meaning
(Who-oo-oo-oo is Mr Brown?)
Bob Marley wants to know the identity of Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown is a clown who rides through town in a coffin
Mr. Brown is a person who travels around in a coffin and wears clown makeup.
(Where he be found?)
Bob Marley asks where Mr. Brown can be found.
In the coffin where there is three crows on top and two is laughing
Mr. Brown can be found in the coffin with three crows on top, two of which are laughing.
Oh, what a confusion
Bob Marley reflects on the confusion caused by Mr. Brown's actions.
Ooh, yeah, yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation
What a botheration, ooh, now, now
Bob Marley expresses exasperation with Mr. Brown's actions.
Who is Mr. Brown? I wanna know now
Bob Marley reiterates his desire to know the identity of Mr. Brown.
He is nowhere to be found
Mr. Brown is not easily found or accessible.
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin running around
Mr. Brown travels around from Mandeville to Sligoville in his coffin.
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town
Mr. Brown's actions have caused disturbance or chaos in the town.
Asking for Mr. Brown
People are asking where Mr. Brown can be found.
I wanna know who ooh / (Is Mr. Brown)
Bob Marley again expresses his desire to know who Mr. Brown is.
Is Mr. Brown controlled by remote?
Bob Marley questions whether Mr. Brown is being controlled remotely.
Oh, Calling duppy conqueror
Bob Marley makes a reference to a ghostbuster or protector.
I'm the ghost catcher
Bob Marley suggests that he is capable of catching ghosts.
This is your chance, oh big, big Bill bull-bucka
Bob Marley addresses someone, giving them an opportunity to prove their worth or ability.
Take your chance, prove yourself, oh, yeah
Bob Marley encourages someone to take a chance and demonstrate their abilities.
Down in parade
There is a parade happening.
People running like a masquerade
People are running around in a chaotic manner.
The police make a raid
The police are conducting a raid.
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, think it fade
Bob Marley reflects on the situation fading away.
What a thing in town
Bob Marley remarks on the unusual or scandalous situation happening in the town.
Crows, chauffeur driven around
Crows are being driven around by a chauffeur.
Skankiness if they had never known
The crows are behaving in a strange or unfamiliar way.
The man they call "Mr. Brown"
The person being referred to is called Mr. Brown.
I can tell you where he's from now
Bob Marley states that he can now tell you where Mr. Brown is from.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY, GLENN ADAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@willieluncheonette
OOOH. CAN'T LET THIS SLIP BY. THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT MUSICIAN OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY. BOB MARLEY'S (February 6, 1945--May 11, 1981) LEGACY CONTINUES TO GROW WORLDWIDE WITH EACH PASSING YEAR.
One of my favorite songs of his is Mr. Brown, recorded by the Wailers in 1971.
re, you're in for a real treat. Recorded in early 1971 with Lee Perry at the controls, IMO this is one of the greatest songs in the history of world music. I can't tell you how much I love this song.
A little background from Wiki---the song concerns "a rumor that was spreading through Jamaica that a duppy (or ghost) had been spotted in numerous locations speeding through the land on a three-wheeled coffin, perched upon which were 3 john crows, or buzzards, one of which could talk and was asking for a Mr. Brown. Glen Adams, (keyboard player in the Upsetters) wrote the lyrics after hearing the story, and after Lee Perry's suggestion, it was sung by the Wailers." The vocals for Who Is Mister Brown (the original title on the vinyl) were recorded over the rejected rhythm for Duppy Conqueror. The lyrics below paint an incredibly vivid picture of a spooky, supernatural event. The rhythm is so effin dread, it takes me out of my tranquil world every time I hear it.
( Who-oo-oo is Mr Brown?)
Mr Brown is a clown who rides through town in a coffin
(Where he be found?)
In the coffin where there is three crows on top and two is laughing
Oh, what a confusion! Ooh, yeah, yeah!
What a botheration! Ooh, now, now!Who is Mr Brown? I wanna know now!
He is nowhere to be found
From Mandeville to Slygoville, coffin runnin' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town, asking for Mr. Brown
From Mandeville to Slygoville, coffin runnin' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town, asking for Mr. Brown
I wanna know who (is Mr Brown)?
Is Mr Brown controlled by remote?O-o-oh, calling duppy conqueror,
I'm the ghost-catcher!
This is your chance, oh big, big Bill bull-bucka,
Take your chance! Prove yourself! Oh, yeah!Down in parade, people runnin like a masquerade
The police make a raid,
But the - oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, the thing did fade
What a thing in town--crows chauffeur driven around
Skankin' as if they have never known
The man they call "Mr Brown"I can't tell you where he's from now
From Mandeville to Slygoville, coffin runnin' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town, asking for Mr. Brown
From Mandeville to Slygoville
@way2deep100
(Who-oo-oo-oo is Mr Brown?)
Mr Brown is a clown who rides to town in a coffin
(Whe-e-e-ere will he be found?)
In the coffin, where there is three crows on top and two is laughing.
Oh, what a confusion! Ooh, yeah, yeah
What a botheration!
Ooh, now, now
Who is Mr Brown?
I wanna know, now
He is nowhere to be found
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin runnin' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town; asking for Mr Brown
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin runnin' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town; asking for Mr Brown
I wanna know who (ooh ooh ooh is Mr Brown)?
Is Mr Brown controlled by remote?
O-o-oh, calling duppy conqueror,
I'm the ghost-catcher!
This is your chance, oh big, big Bill bull-bucker,
Take your chance; prove yourself! Oh, yeah!
Down in Parade
People running like ah masquerade
The police make a raid,
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, they think it fade
What a thing in town
Crows chauffeur driven around,
Skankin' as if they have never known
The man they call Mr Brown
I can tell you where he's from now
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin running' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town; asking for Mr Brown
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin running around
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town; asking for Mr Brown
From Mandeville to Sligoville, coffin running around
@user-ps2qt9fe1i
Mr Brown is a clown who rides to town in a coffin.
(Well, here he comes) In the top is ... three rows on top and two
Inside there.
Oh, what a confusion! Ooh, yeah, yeah!
What a botheration! Ooh, now, now!
Who is Mr Brown? I wanna know now!
He is nowhere to be found.
From Mandeville to slide-a-ville, coffin runnin' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town,
Asking for Mr Brown.
From Mandeville to slide-a-ville, coffin runnin' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town,
Asking for Mr Brown.
I wanna know who (is Mr Brown)?
Is Mr Brown controlled by remote?
O-o-oh, calling duppy conqueror,
I'm the ghost-catcher!
This is your chance, oh big, big Bill bull-bucka,
Take your chance! Prove yourself! Oh, yeah!
Down in parade
People runnin like a masquerade.
The police make a raid,
But the people - oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah - they think it
Fade.
What a thing in town
Crows chauffeur-driven around,
Skankin' as if they had never known
The man they call "Mr Brown".
I can tell you where he's from now:
From Mandeville to slide-a-ville, coffin runnin' around,
Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting the town,
Asking for Mr Brown.
From Mandeville to slide-a-ville -
@marcelooliveira375
Essa música é um espetáculo!!!❤️👏👏👍
@davidbaldwin2937
By far one of my favorite Bob songs if there is such a thing
@denisSwe
its hard to pick just one for me
@LGaff1974
Picking a top 50 is a challenge 🤣🤣So good though…
@mirjamalicedeschlermamomiri
It is such a funny n scary Song. Cutie bobbie
@aspjake123
Newly discovered song and my favorite. Such a catchy beat and lovely sung by Mr. Marley. I would love to hear Peter Tosh sing this also. Wonderful and happy song. Hope you are resting well in a huge field of fresh Ganja Bob Marley.
@RedGoldGreen-Dub
Fantastic tune ❤🔥
@awikedera7789
I grew up on Marley and Tosh. This is the sound of my childhood.❤️
@localafh
The undisputed King of Reggae! He started the modern day Reggae Revolution. A true pioneer. ‘Love Always’ Acts 20:35
@ogslimeast713
Much Respect 👊 Rest in Peace 🙏 Royal BoB Marley 👊💯👊