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 Water
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in bed send me a nurse, I'm thirsty thirsty Lord o' Mercy
Ooh we
What other bottle, sweeter the victory
I've got your love, the power of your glory, ah
Ooh yeah, trillin me
All right
Can't judge a mother by the skin of the father
Read me read me baby
I'm goin'
No water can quench thirst
I'm in bed, need a nurse
Can you understand
Do you understand me baby
I've got a bottle, sweet the victory
I've got your love, the power of your glory ah
Ooh we
All right
You've got your love and I've got mine
Workin together, they work fine, do you believe me, baby
Get it up baby
Break it back, turn it loose
What in heaven baby it got to choose
The lyrics to Bob Marley's song No Water expresses a deep longing and yearning for a higher power, for something that can quench his spiritual thirst. Marley sings "No water can quench my thirst," which represents his desire for more than just worldly desires or pleasures. He continues by saying "I'm in bed send me a nurse, I'm thirsty thirsty Lord o' Mercy," portraying his desperation and need for healing or guidance. Marley is also seen reflecting on the power of love and its ability to conquer all obstacles. He sings, "I've got your love, the power of your glory," which shows his acknowledgment of a supreme being's control over everything.
Moreover, Marley touches upon the idea that people should not be judged by their appearance, saying "Can't judge a mother by the skin of the father, Can't judge a book by the skin on the cover yo," emphasizing the need to examine and understand someone's true identity and character before passing judgment. He ends these lyrics by saying, "Read me read me baby, I'm going," which suggests his willingness to be understood and recognized for who he truly is.
Line by Line Meaning
No water can quench my thirst
To quench the thirst of the soul, mere water is not enough
I'm in bed send me a nurse, I'm thirsty thirsty Lord o' Mercy
The singer is in need of spiritual care to quench his spiritual thirst
Ooh we
An expression of enjoyment or satisfaction
What other bottle, sweeter the victory
The victory obtained by spiritual growth is sweeter than any material possessions
I've got your love, the power of your glory, ah
Having experienced the divine love and glory, the artist feels empowered
Ooh yeah, trillin me
An expression of excitement and arousal
All right
An expression of agreement or satisfaction
Can't judge a mother by the skin of the father
One's true identity and worth cannot be determined by external factors such as appearance or family background
Can't judge a book by the skin on the cover yo
One must not judge something or someone by superficial appearances
Read me read me baby
The artist is urging the listener to look beyond the external and understand his true self
I'm goin'
The singer is ready to embark on a spiritual journey
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@FlorenceW101
aw man this is on of my favorite Bob Marley songs, this and mellow mood. I love Bob, there will never be another artist like him.
@0misW0rld
i love his rock steady too. the early stuff is so raw
@leesmith9639
Yes I like mellow mood too class
@nebertbanda3930
Why I never noticed those sweet awesome backing vocalizations before??!....Oooooooooh.....rump pump pump...rump pump pump...Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhh...Amazing!!
@5104560711
its songs like this that remind me the time frame his music was made in. its so crazy most of this man's music sounds as if it was made recently. true definition of timeless music.
@charlieday5871
If I ever get sick of hearing this song...I know my time on Earth is near the end
@breal4love
So many memories of great times. This is one of Bob Marleys best
@Pseidof
how i love these short, underrated Bobs songs :)
@davehughes6366
Bassline is crackin love the backing singers 'reggae classic'
@dalaverata002
РРрра па па рапапа па :) много яка песен. Великана Боб Марли!