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
Reaction
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talking 'bout attraction yeah yeah yea
Said I'm gonna rock on you yeah yeah
From shanti town yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
To have a little action yeah yeah yeah
There's a reaction yeah yeah yeah
You don't don't don't get that soul no no no
You don't get that soul no no no
To every little action yeah yeah yeah
There's a reaction yeah yeah yeah
In the song 'Reaction', Bob Marley sings about the universal principle of cause and effect. He talks about the interconnectedness of actions and their corresponding reactions. The repetition of 'yeah yeah yeah' throughout the song adds to its catchy and upbeat nature. The song also contains a reference to Shanti Town, which was a poverty-stricken area in Kingston, Jamaica, where Bob Marley grew up.
Marley sings that he's going to "rock on you," which can be interpreted as a promise to deliver a powerful and memorable performance. He then speaks about the importance of action and attraction. Marley believes that actions lead to reactions, and that attraction is a magnetic force that draws people towards each other. According to Marley, to have a little action, there has to be a reaction. He warns that without action, one cannot get their soul.
In summary, 'Reaction' by Bob Marley is a song that encourages people to take action and embrace the effects of their actions. Marley emphasizes the universal principle of cause and effect and the importance of attraction. It's a catchy and upbeat song that inspires people to be proactive and seize the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Talking 'bout reaction yeah yeah yeah
Bob Marley is introducing the topic of 'reaction', and emphasizing its importance by repeating it. He is drawing attention to the fact that everything in life has a reaction.
Talking 'bout attraction yeah yeah yea
Bob Marley believes that everything that one is attracted to will have a reaction. This is why he is introducing the topic of attraction.
Said I'm gonna rock on you yeah yeah
Bob Marley is expressing his intentions to have an effect on his listener. By stating he is going to 'rock on you,' he implies that the effect he has will be powerful and long-lasting.
From shanti town yeah yeah yeah
Bob Marley is from a shanti town, which is characterized by poverty and violence. By mentioning this, he is acknowledging the struggles he endured growing up and how they influenced his world views.
To have a little action yeah yeah yeah
Bob Marley believes that if there is no action, there is no reaction. By stating that one needs to have a 'little action,' he emphasizes that even the smallest attempts can result in significant reactions.
There's a reaction yeah yeah yeah
In this line, Bob Marley reiterates his belief that everything has a reaction. He is suggesting that every action taken will result in some sort of outcome or response.
You don't don't don't get that soul no no no
Bob Marley believes that if someone does not take the initiative to create a reaction or effect, they will not have a soul. This line suggests that having a soul is related to taking action.
You don't get that soul no no no
In this line, Bob Marley repeats his previous statement. He is still emphasizing that if someone does not take action, they will not have a soul.
To every little action yeah yeah yeah
Bob Marley is reiterating the importance of taking even the smallest of actions. He believes that every single action, regardless of how small, will have a reaction.
There's a reaction yeah yeah yeah
Bob Marley repeats himself again, emphasizing his belief that every action will have a reaction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
stevie mccormick
In 2004 I was Deployed to Iraq and I used to listen to Bob Marley almost everyday. Listening to him help keep my compassion, empathy and not become callous to the pain and suffering around me.
R. T. Aegean
Thanks man, for sharing that with us on YouTube.
ME109a
Bob Marley - salve for the soul. Stay human.
Black Blake
Beautiful.
R. T. Aegean
@Black Blake If you don't mind my saying so, that one word, "Beautiful.", succinctly sums it up. Thanks for sharing the word with us on YouTube.
Black Blake
@R. T. Aegean 🥰
Bertis Jordan
Bob Marley is reggae yet transcended reggae.
"No Woman No Cry" is my favorite also "Jammin" "Could You Be Love" "I Shot The Sheriff"
KristyLynn Snow
Love his i shot the sheriff!
surlechapeau
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "Could You Be Loved", "Buffalo Soldier", "Jammin' " and "Get Up Stand Up"!!!!
edit - Bob's wife Rita was in a group called the I Threes who often provided backing vocals.
Richard W
She also performed as a solo artist after his death!