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
Shocks Of Mighty
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mmmmm Mmmmm
Let me tell you brother
Shocks of mighty [don′t you, don't you know you know]
We′ve got the rhythm
Shocks of mighty [don't you, don't you, don′t you know]
We′ve got the rhythm [uh, uhh]
Do the funky chicken [oh brother]
Do the mashed potato
[Oh] A long, as long as we do it together
Let me tell you brother
Shocks of mighty [oh brother, don't you know we got the rhythm]
[Sing it brother]
Shocks of mighty [Aaaw, yes we got the rhythm. Uh, huh]
Get yourself together [ooo]
Brother, in any kind of weather [let me tell you]
It will be mighty better
[Ooo, as long, as long as we do it together, ooo-eee. Uh]
Shocks of mighty
[Don′t, don't you don′t you know we got the rhythm. Lord have mercy]
Shocks of mighty [don't you, don′t you know we got the rhythm]
Do the funky chicken
The mashed potato [let me tell you]
Do the, do the, do what you want to do [do it all together now. Uh]
Shocks of mighty [do, don't you, don't you know we got the rhythm]
Shocks of mighty [do, don′t you, don′t you know we got the rhythm]
Get yourself together [oh brother]
In any kind of weather
Things will be mighty better [yooouuu]
Lord we got to, to get together [get it together y'all]
And do the funky chicken [things. Oh yeah. Uh]
Do the, do the, do the mashed potato [ooo]
Do the alligator [do what you want to do]
But do it all together now [oh]
Shocks of mighty [ooo]
Don′t you know we got the rhythm
Shocks of mighty
Don't you know we got the rhythm
The song "Shocks of Mighty" by Bob Marley is a funky and upbeat tune that celebrates the power of music and the joy of dancing together. The lyrics encourage listeners to come together, no matter the weather, and dance to the rhythm of the music. The repetition of "shocks of mighty" and "we've got the rhythm" emphasize the strength and unity that comes with collective movement.
The song uses a variety of popular dances of the time, such as the funky chicken, alligator, and mashed potato, to invite listeners of all ages and backgrounds to join in the fun. The line "do what you want to do but do it all together now" highlights the importance of individual expression, while still maintaining unity within the group.
Overall, "Shocks of Mighty" is a lighthearted and infectious call to dance and celebrate the power of music. It reminds us that in times of hardship, coming together and standing strong as a community can make all the difference.
Line by Line Meaning
Uhhhh Uhhhhh
Instrumental intro of the song
Mmmmm Mmmmm
Instrumental intro of the song
Let me tell you brother
Bob Marley speaks to his brothers of music
Shocks of mighty [don′t you, don't you know you know]
We've got the powerful music that can move you to dance
We′ve got the rhythm
We've got the groove that's perfect for you
Shocks of mighty [don't you, don't you, don′t you know]
We've got the powerful music that can move you to dance
Do the funky chicken [oh brother]
Let's dance to funky music and have fun together
Do the alligator
Let's dance to smooth movements and have a good time
Do the mashed potato
Let's dance to the rhythm of the classic mashed potatoes and enjoy ourselves
[Oh] A long, as long as we do it together
We can keep dancing as long as we're united
Shocks of mighty [oh brother, don't you know we got the rhythm]
We've got the music that can shake up your soul and move you to dance
[Sing it brother]
Encouraging his brother to join him in singing the song
Shocks of mighty [Aaaw, yes we got the rhythm. Uh, huh]
Bob Marley emphasizes that they have the rhythm, and he's feeling it
Get yourself together [ooo]
Get yourself ready and join the dance
Brother, in any kind of weather [let me tell you]
Bob Marley reminds his brother that no matter what the weather is, they can still have fun dancing
It will be mighty better
Life will improve when you dance to the music with your brothers
[Ooo, as long, as long as we do it together, ooo-eee. Uh]
The key to happiness is to dance together and enjoy the music
Shocks of mighty
The phrase is repeated to emphasize the strength of their music
[Don′t, don't you don′t you know we got the rhythm. Lord have mercy]
Bob Marley urges his brother not to forget the power of their music, and to dance to it
Shocks of mighty [don't you, don′t you know we got the rhythm]
We've got the powerful music that's perfect for you to dance along to
Do the funky chicken
Let's dance to funky music and have fun together
The mashed potato [let me tell you]
Let's dance to the rhythm of the classic mashed potatoes and enjoy ourselves
Do the, do the, do what you want to do [do it all together now. Uh]
You can dance however you want as long as you dance together with your brothers
Shocks of mighty [do, don't you, don't you know we got the rhythm]
We've got the powerful music that can move you to dance
Shocks of mighty [do, don′t you, don′t you know we got the rhythm]
We've got the powerful music that can move you to dance
Get yourself together [oh brother]
Get yourself ready and join the dance
In any kind of weather
Bob Marley reminds his brother that they can still have fun dancing, regardless of the weather
Things will be mighty better [yooouuu]
Life will look much better when you dance with your brothers
Lord we got to, to get together [get it together y'all]
Bob Marley reminds his brothers of music that they should get together and enjoy the song
And do the funky chicken [things. Oh yeah. Uh]
Let's enjoy ourselves with funky dancing
Do the, do the, do the mashed potato [ooo]
Let's dance to the rhythm of the classic mashed potatoes and enjoy ourselves
Do the alligator [do what you want to do]
Let's dance to smooth movements and have a good time in our own way
But do it all together now [oh]
We should dance together and have a great time
Shocks of mighty [ooo]
The strength of their music is reiterated to emphasize how great it is
Don′t you know we got the rhythm
Bob Marley reminds his brother that they have the perfect music that will make you want to dance
Shocks of mighty
The phrase is repeated to emphasize the strength of their music
Don't you know we got the rhythm
Bob Marley reminds his brother that they have the perfect music that will make you want to dance
Writer(s): Bob Marley
Contributed by Claire G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aNemetZzZ
Love this song!
@ronnel8415
Shocks of Mighty ! Yes !
@ronnel8415
Somebody must can't get what he saying here, these low numbers
@AMPup4
only 3000 views smh
@HebertonNogueira
rastafari