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
Samba
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A me say: lick Samba, lick Samba, wo, now! (wo-oh, lick samba!)
I could not resist (lick samba, lick samba, lick samba) - wo, now!
(Wo-oh, lick samba!)
Another like dis (lick samba, lick samba, lick samba) - wo, now!
(Wo-oh,) lick samba!
I'll go on, I'll feel the pain; - wo-oh, lick samba!
And it's not that I am weak, - wo-oh, lick samba!
But it's that I'm on a peak, oh darlin'. Wo-oh, lick samba!
A just-a lick Samba, lick Samba, lick Samba; I say: wo-oh, lick samba!
Wo, now! Wo-oh, lick samba!
Wo, now, now! Wo-oh, lick samba!
Bring it up, a-lick it one time right here; - wo-oh, lick samba!
I'll settle a little, a claim, baby; - wo-oh, lick samba!
You can write it down in my name; - wo-oh, lick samba!
Morning time, noon or night; - wo-oh, lick samba!
A dis-a lick samba, lick samba, lick samba! Woh oh, lick samba!
Lick samba, lick samba, lick samba, wo now! Woh oh, lick samba!
Yea-yeah: Wo, darlin'! Woh oh, lick samba!
Woo, yeah! If it's morning time, I'm ready
(lick samba, lick samba, lick samba); wo-oh, lick samba!
If it's late at night, I'm steady
(lick samba, lick samba, lick samba); wo-oh, lick samba!
Give it to you anytime, oh darlin'!
(lick samba, lick samba, lick samba) Wo-oh, lick samba!
I'm not a preacher, but I am callin'
(lick samba, lick samba, lick samba); wo-oh, lick samba!
The lyrics to Bob Marley & The Wailer's song "Lick Samba" are all about surrendering to the rhythm of the samba. The repeated refrain of "lick samba" serves as a mantra, urging the listener to fully immerse themselves in the music. The lyrics also hint at a romantic relationship where the singer accepts the pain and hurt of their partner and continues to love them regardless. The peak that they refer to could be a metaphor for the euphoria that comes from being lost in the music and the love that one has for their partner.
The phrase "lick samba" itself is interesting as it combines both a Jamaican and Brazilian musical culture. The word "lick" in Jamaican slang means to give something one's all, to put in extra effort or to simply enjoy something to the fullest extent. The samba, on the other hand, is a Brazilian dance and musical genre that was born out of a mix of African and Portuguese influences. This song represents a musical fusion of two cultures that are often considered to be quite distinct.
Interestingly, the song was actually recorded during a jam session with some of Brazil's top musicians, including percussionist Paulinho Da Costa and flutist Teco Cardoso. The song was recorded in 1978, during Marley's exile in London following an assassination attempt on his life in Jamaica. This period was a very prolific time for Marley and his band, and they were experimenting with different sounds and styles while in London.
Line by Line Meaning
Lick Samba, lick Samba, lick Samba; wo-oh, lick samba!
Repeating the phrase 'lick Samba' with enthusiasm and excitement.
A me say: lick Samba, lick Samba, wo, now! (wo-oh, lick samba!)
Saying 'lick Samba' again with excitement and reinforcing the rhythm of the song.
I could not resist (lick samba, lick samba, lick samba) - wo, now!
(Wo-oh, lick samba!)
Another like dis (lick samba, lick samba, lick samba) - wo, now!
(Wo-oh,) lick samba!
Unable to resist the infectious joy and rhythm of the song, and inviting others to join in.
And though I know you hurt me again, - wo-oh, lick samba!
I'll go on, I'll feel the pain; - wo-oh, lick samba!
And it's not that I am weak, - wo-oh, lick samba!
But it's that I'm on a peak, oh darlin'. Wo-oh, lick samba!
Despite being hurt, the singer is not weak because they are at a peak of joy and happiness along with the rhythm of the song.
A just-a lick Samba, lick Samba, lick Samba; I say: wo-oh, lick samba!
Wo, now! Wo-oh, lick samba!
Wo, now, now! Wo-oh, lick samba!
Repeating the phrase 'lick Samba' with increasing intensity and joy.
Bring it up, a-lick it one time right here; - wo-oh, lick samba!
I'll settle a little, a claim, baby; - wo-oh, lick samba!
You can write it down in my name; - wo-oh, lick samba!
Morning time, noon or night; - wo-oh, lick samba!
Asking for the music to continue and claiming the joy and rhythm of the song as their own, no matter the time of day.
Yea-yeah: Wo, darlin'! Woh oh, lick samba!
Woo, yeah! If it's morning time, I'm ready
(lick samba, lick samba, lick samba); wo-oh, lick samba!
If it's late at night, I'm steady
(lick samba, lick samba, lick samba); wo-oh, lick samba!
Give it to you anytime, oh darlin'!
(lick samba, lick samba, lick samba) Wo-oh, lick samba!
I'm not a preacher, but I am callin'
(lick samba, lick samba, lick samba); wo-oh, lick samba!
Expressing willingness to enjoy the music and rhythm of the song at any time, and calling others to join without any preachings or restrictions.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eirodgers
This song is perfect. Doesn’t it make you wanna go to Jamaica?
@stephenjones9101
I am a white 43 year old man and this is my tune !
@tonyday5002
Curious question what does your race have to do with liking the song ? Just curious 🧐 Keep enjoying the music my friend . Peace and love from a colourless 🇯🇲 🙏
@TheTredoc
This song 🎵 is a High-grade love ❤️ and passion between a man and woman with all the elements of: dancing, caressing, romancing with a calling. OUT N LOUD INTERNATIONALLY! One Luv ❤️!!!
@1lovebaking
@@tonyday5002right? Never got why people had to emphasize what race they are
Oh ho I'm a white guy who listens to reggae! 💀💀
@johnfernandes9774
I am die hard fan of Bob, 53, first time I listening this
@TheTredoc
This song 🎵 is a High-grade love ❤️ and passion between a man and woman with all the elements of: dancing, caressing, romancing with a calling. OUT N LOUD INTERNATIONALLY! One Luv ❤️!!!
@AllseasonsProduce
Licksamba❤❤❤😊😊
@ClainSebastien-bw4fi
Lick samba this song make me cry
@sharontracey3563
Boom bang bbz...thanks Bob..come again...I wish u could....same way ...that's the Bob I learn with 😍...sweet like sugar....