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 Can Quench My Thirst
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′m in bed, send me a nurse
I'm thirsty, thirsty, Lord a mercy
Ooh we - hotter the battle, sweeter the victory
I′ve got your love, the power of your glory
Aah, ooh yeah, trillin' me, alright!
Can't judge a mother by the skin of the father
Read me, read me, baby
No water can quench my thirst
I′m in bed, need a nurse
Can you understand?
Do you understand me, baby?
I've got a battle, sweet the victory
I′ve got your love, the power of your glory, yah!
Aah, ooh we, alright
You've got your love and I′ve got mine
Working 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 of Bob Marley's song No Water Can Quench My Thirst express his yearning for spiritual fulfillment, likening it to a thirst that cannot be quenched by physical means. He expresses this yearning through the metaphor of a sick man in bed, pleading for a nurse to attend to him. The repetition of the word "thirsty" emphasizes this feeling of inadequacy and longing.
Marley's lyrics also touch on the idea that one should not judge people by superficial traits such as skin color, since that can be misleading. He emphasizes the importance of deeper understanding and reading beyond outside appearances, urging listeners to "read [him]." The song's final lines, "What in heaven baby, it got to choose," suggest a sense of powerlessness and surrender, perhaps reflecting Marley's belief in the ultimate authority of a higher power.
Overall, No Water Can Quench My Thirst is a song that highlights Marley's deep spiritual longings and his conviction that love and faith are the only true sources of fulfillment. The use of metaphor and repetition create a sense of urgency and yearning that resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
No water can quench my thirst
I am seeking something more than just physical fulfillment, something that nothing in this world can provide.
I'm in bed, send me a nurse
I am helpless, waiting for someone to heal me and help me overcome my thirst.
I'm thirsty, thirsty, Lord a mercy
I am in a state of longing, seeking something that will satisfy my soul, and hoping for divine intervention.
Ooh we - hotter the battle, sweeter the victory
The greater the challenge I face, the greater will be the reward of overcoming it.
I've got your love, the power of your glory
I am blessed to have divine support and love, which gives me strength to overcome my challenges and fulfill my purpose.
Aah, ooh yeah, trillin' me, alright!
I am filled with joy and enthusiasm, knowing I am on the right path and feeling the divine energy within me.
Can't judge a mother by the skin of the father
We should not judge people based on their external appearance or background, as this can lead to prejudice and misconceptions.
Can′t judge a book by the skin on the cover, ya!
We should not make assumptions about something or someone based on first impressions, as there is much more depth and complexity that requires further exploration and understanding.
Read me, read me, baby
Get to know me, understand my story and my true nature, so we can connect on a deeper level.
Can you understand?
Are you willing to open your heart and mind to see beyond what is apparent and understand the true essence of things?
I've got a battle, sweet the victory
I am facing challenges and obstacles on my path, but I am confident that I will triumph and achieve success with determination and faith.
You've got your love and I′ve got mine
We all have our individual sources of strength and love, which we can share and combine to create a greater impact and unity.
Working together, they work fine
When we collaborate and support each other with respect and appreciation, we can achieve great things and overcome difficulties.
Do you believe me, baby? Get it up baby
Are you willing to trust in me and join me in our journey towards greatness? Let's give it our all and rise to the challenge.
Break it back, turn it loose
Let go of any limitations or doubts that are holding you back, and embrace your true potential and passion.
What in heaven baby, it got to choose
There is a purpose and a higher plan for everything, even if we don't always understand it. Trust in the divine wisdom and guidance, and have faith that everything will work out as it should.
Writer(s): Bob Marley
Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@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!