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
No Sympathy
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No sympathy
What kind of love
They've got for me
I'm on my way
To happiness
Where I can find
Some peace and rest
When I'm in my trouble here
Only me feels the pain
Not one simple word
Good word of advice
From any of my so called friends
I can't find no love
No sympathy
What kind of love
They've got for me
I'm on my way
To happiness
Where I can find
Some peace and rest
Might as well, might as well
I get out, I get out of hell
Hell would never be made for me
So I'll search, search 'till I'm free
I can't find no love
No sympathy
What kind of love
They've got for me
I'm on my way
To happiness
Where I can find
Some peace and rest
I can't find no love
No sympathy
What kind of love
They've got for me
I'm on my way
To happiness
Where I can find
Some peace and rest
In the lyrics of "No Sympathy," Bob Marley speaks about his feelings of isolation and a lack of support from those who claim to be his friends. He is searching for love and sympathy, but is unable to find it amongst the people around him. He talks about his struggle and pain being only his own, and he gets no good advice or comfort from anyone around him. It is apparent to him that the love they have for him is not the kind he needs. He decides to leave his current situation behind and search for happiness and peace where he can find some rest.
The song expresses the frustration of not being understood and unappreciated while facing tough times. The theme and tone of the song rally against apathy and indifference of society. In the song, there is a sense of abandonment and hopelessness that perhaps Bob had felt during his life; he tells that he feels he is in hell and he will continue searching until he is free. We can interpret the song as the result of trying to understand the plight of someone dealing with mental health challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't find no love
I am looking for love and affection but I cannot seem to find it
No sympathy
Nobody understands or cares about my struggles
What kind of love
I question whether the love I receive is genuine or not
They've got for me
I wonder if people truly have my best interests at heart
I'm on my way
Despite my struggles, I refuse to give up
To happiness
My ultimate goal is to find joy and contentment
Where I can find
I hope to encounter people and situations that bring me peace and happiness
Some peace and rest
I need a break from the chaos and negativity that surrounds me
When I'm in my trouble here
During my hardships and difficult times
Only me feels the pain
I am the only one who experiences the emotional and physical pain I endure
Not one simple word
Nobody offers any words of comfort or support to ease my troubles
Good word of advice
Some meaningful or helpful advice that could improve my situation
From any of my so called friends
Even those who claim to be my friends fail to provide me with support or guidance
Might as well, might as well
I might as well take action and make a change
I get out, I get out of hell
I must escape my current situation and move towards a better life
Hell would never be made for me
My struggles and pain are not permanent and I know that I can overcome them
So I'll search, search 'till I'm free
I will keep looking for a way out until I am free from my current situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@espantapajaross
No puedo encontrar amor
I can't find no love
Sin simpatía
No sympathy
Que clase de amor
What kind of love
Tienen para mi
They've got for me
voy en camino
I'm on my way
A la felicidad
To happiness
Donde puedo encontrar
Where I can find
Algo de paz y descanso
Some peace and rest
Cuando estoy en mi problema aquí
When I'm in my trouble here
Solo yo siento el dolor
Only me feels the pain
Ni un buen consejo
Not one good word of advice
De cualquiera de mis supuestos amigos
From any of my so called friends
No puedo encontrar amor
I can't find no love
Sin simpatía
No sympathy
Que clase de amor
What kind of love
Tienen para mi
They've got for me
voy en camino
I'm on my way
A la felicidad
To happiness
Donde puedo encontrar
Where I can find
Algo de paz y descanso
Some peace and rest
También podría, también podría
Might as well, might as well
Salgo, salgo del infierno
I get out, I get out of hell
El infierno nunca se haría para mí
Hell would never be made for me
Así que voy a buscar, buscar hasta que esté libre
So I'm gonna search, search 'till I'm free
No puedo encontrar amor
I can't find no love
Sin simpatía
No sympathy
Que clase de amor
What kind of love
Tienen para mi
They've got for me
voy en camino
I'm on my way
A la felicidad
To happiness
Donde puedo encontrar
Where I can find
@lunch5779
this is the best version, hands down
@LiveForFreedom
I feeeelz
@murraynorm37
Love the pace, harmony and slight return
@LiveForFreedom
This is one that should be listed under "Peter Tosh and The Wailers " .... One Love
@rebusdan
No.. Just "The Wailers" does who have done their homework will know what i mean ;)
@niradatersib4634
The best version of this song!!
@localafh
The undisputed King of Reggae! He started the modern day Reggae Revolution. A true pioneer. ‘Love Always’ 1 John 4:8
@senkster1851
Just listen to that.
@RedGoldGreen-Dub
Brilliant song ❤🔥
@espantapajaross
No puedo encontrar amor
I can't find no love
Sin simpatía
No sympathy
Que clase de amor
What kind of love
Tienen para mi
They've got for me
voy en camino
I'm on my way
A la felicidad
To happiness
Donde puedo encontrar
Where I can find
Algo de paz y descanso
Some peace and rest
Cuando estoy en mi problema aquí
When I'm in my trouble here
Solo yo siento el dolor
Only me feels the pain
Ni un buen consejo
Not one good word of advice
De cualquiera de mis supuestos amigos
From any of my so called friends
No puedo encontrar amor
I can't find no love
Sin simpatía
No sympathy
Que clase de amor
What kind of love
Tienen para mi
They've got for me
voy en camino
I'm on my way
A la felicidad
To happiness
Donde puedo encontrar
Where I can find
Algo de paz y descanso
Some peace and rest
También podría, también podría
Might as well, might as well
Salgo, salgo del infierno
I get out, I get out of hell
El infierno nunca se haría para mí
Hell would never be made for me
Así que voy a buscar, buscar hasta que esté libre
So I'm gonna search, search 'till I'm free
No puedo encontrar amor
I can't find no love
Sin simpatía
No sympathy
Que clase de amor
What kind of love
Tienen para mi
They've got for me
voy en camino
I'm on my way
A la felicidad
To happiness
Donde puedo encontrar
Where I can find