Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley whic… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley which was later to be changed by passport officials to Robert Nesta Marley, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. He was the most widely known writer and performer of Reggae, and more specifically Roots Reggae. He is famous for popularising the genre outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean. Much of his music dealt with the struggles of the spiritually wealthy rasta and/or spiritually powerful Jah Rastafari.

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

Reggae On Broadway
Bob Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Eh-eh! ooh, Lord.
Eh-eh, mama, eh!

Get out on the floor
And you give me some-a more now.
Get out on the floor, baby.
Come on, give me some-a more now. Uh!
I'm in the groove

To give you some-a love-a now.
I'm in the groove, baby.
I'm gonna give you some-a love now.
I go down, down, down, down,
Down, down, down, down, down! (Eh, ooh, I like it)
Get down! (Eh-eh, baby, look g'yeah now!)

Reggae is on Broadway (where you take it?),
Reggae is on Broadway (good Lord),
Reggae is on Broadway (look g'yeah now!),
Reggae is on Broadway (give it to me baby!),
Reggae is on Broadway (where you take it?),
Reggae is on Broadway (ruba-ba-ba!).

Eh, ah!
... , uh! Eh!
I'm in the mood
To give you some food now.
Get on the floor, baby.
I said you give me it once more now.
I'm on the groove
To give you some-a good-a love.
I'm on the mood, baby.
I'm gonna give you, give you love now. Eh!
Down, down, down, down, (don't ... me)
Down, down (whoa!), down, down (take it or leave it, baby), down! (Eh-eh!)
Get down! (Eh! Baby!)

Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae is on Broadway!)
Reggae is on Broadway (can you hear me?),
Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae on Broadway!),
Reggae is on Broadway (I tell you),
Reggae is on Broadway,
I say, Reggae is on Broadway.

Uh-uh, good God!
Reggae is on Broadway,
Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae on Broadway),
Reggae is on Broadway,
Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae, reggae is on Broadway),
Reggae is on Broadway (yeh g'yeah!),
Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae on Broadway!),
Reggae is on Broadway,
Reggae is on Broadway, (Reggae, reggae, reggae, reggae, reggae is on Broadway!)
Reggae is on Broadway,
Reggae is on Broadway (good Lord),
Reggae is on Broadway (uh, I like it),
Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae on Broadway),
Reggae is on Broadway,
Reggae is on Broadway, (Reggae, reggae is on Broadway!)
Reggae is on Broadway,
Reggae is on Broadway,
Reggae is on Broadway,
Reggae is on Broadway,

Reggae is on Broadway.
/fadeout/

Overall Meaning

In the song Reggae On Broadway by Bob Marley, the lyrics express a sense of joy and excitement associated with the infusion of reggae music on Broadway. The song begins with Marley asking for more energy on the dance floor by encouraging listeners to "get out on the floor" and "give me some-a more now". The lively rhythm and upbeat tempo of the song make it easy for listeners to dance along and enjoy the vibrant spirit of the reggae music.

Throughout the song, Marley celebrates the fusion of reggae music with the Broadway scene. He repeats the line "Reggae is on Broadway" multiple times, emphasizing reggae's growing popularity and acceptance in the mainstream entertainment industry. The song serves as a tribute to the genre and highlights its ability to bring people together, bridging cultural divides and bringing joy to listeners of all backgrounds.

Overall, Reggae On Broadway is a joyful celebration of the powerful impact that reggae music can have on people's lives, breaking down barriers and creating a sense of unity and togetherness.

Line by Line Meaning

Eh-eh! ooh, Lord.
Expressing excitement and anticipation

Eh-eh, mama, eh!
Further expressing excitement and anticipation

Get out on the floor And you give me some-a more now. Get out on the floor, baby. Come on, give me some-a more now. Uh!
Asking someone to dance with him and requesting more passion and energy in the dance

I'm in the groove To give you some-a love-a now. I'm in the groove, baby. I'm gonna give you some-a love now.
Feeling the rhythm and connection, and promising to give love in return

I go down, down, down, down, Down, down, down, down, down! (Eh, ooh, I like it) Get down! (Eh-eh, baby, look g'yeah now!)
Enjoying the music and encouraging others to dance and enjoy themselves

Reggae is on Broadway (where you take it?), Reggae is on Broadway (good Lord), Reggae is on Broadway (look g'yeah now!), Reggae is on Broadway (give it to me baby!), Reggae is on Broadway (where you take it?), Reggae is on Broadway (ruba-ba-ba!)
Celebrating Reggae music and its presence on Broadway, challenging others to enjoy it and get into the groove

... , uh! Eh!
Expressing excitement and encouragement for the music

I'm in the mood To give you some food now. Get on the floor, baby. I said you give me it once more now. I'm on the groove To give you some-a good-a love.
Still feeling the rhythm and connection, now promising to give sustenance and more love

Down, down, down, down, (don't ... me) Down, down (whoa!), down, down (take it or leave it, baby), down! (Eh-eh!) Get down! (Eh! Baby!)
Enjoying the music and encouraging others to dance and enjoy themselves, while also asserting independence and self-worth

Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae is on Broadway!) Reggae is on Broadway (can you hear me?), Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae on Broadway!) Reggae is on Broadway (I tell you), Reggae is on Broadway,
Continuing to celebrate Reggae music and its presence on Broadway, asserting that it is worthwhile and worth hearing

I say, Reggae is on Broadway. Uh-uh, good God! Reggae is on Broadway, Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae on Broadway), Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae, reggae is on Broadway), Reggae is on Broadway (yeh g'yeah!), Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae on Broadway!),
Boldly stating that Reggae music belongs on Broadway, and emphasizing that it is a joyful, exciting genre of music

Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae, reggae is on Broadway!) Reggae is on Broadway (good Lord), Reggae is on Broadway (uh, I like it), Reggae is on Broadway (Reggae on Broadway), Reggae is on Broadway, Reggae is on Broadway, (Reggae, reggae is on Broadway!) Reggae is on Broadway, Reggae is on Broadway, Reggae is on Broadway, Reggae is on Broadway, Reggae is on Broadway. /fadeout/
Repeating and reinforcing the message that Reggae music belongs on Broadway, and that it is a joyful, exciting genre of music.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: SYRIX, MICHAEL VARGA, WAYNE FORD LEVY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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