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
Slave Driver
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slave driver, the table is turn (catch your fire)
Catch your fire, so you can get burn, now (catch your fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn (catch your fire)
Catch your fire, you gonna get burn (catch your fire) wo, now!
Every time I hear the crack of a whip
My blood runs cold
How they brutalize the very souls
Today they say that we are free
Only to be chained in poverty
Good God, I think it's illiteracy
It's only a machine that makes money
Slave driver, the table is turn, you'll ooh-ooh-oo-ooh
Slave driver, uh! The table is turn, baby, now (catch your fire)
(Catch your fire) so you can get burn, baby, now (catch your fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all (catch your fire)
(Catch your fire) so you can get burn, now (catch your fire)
Every time I hear the crack of a whip
My blood runs cold
I remember on the slave ship
How they brutalize your very soul
Oh God, have mercy on our souls!
Oh, slave driver, the table is turn, y'all (catch your fire)
Catch your fire, so you can get burn (catch your fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all (catch your fire)
Catch your fire, so you can get burn
Bob Marley's "Slave Driver" is a protest song with strong anti-slavery and anti-oppression themes. The lyrics are a direct criticism of the slave trade and the mentality of those who perpetuated it. The opening lines, "Slave driver, the table is turn, catch your fire," set the tone for the song; Marley is warning those in power that the tables are turning and their actions will have consequences. The repeated refrain of "catch your fire" is a call for justice and retribution.
Marley uses vivid imagery to convey the horrors of slavery. When he hears the crack of a whip, his blood runs cold as he remembers the brutality of the slave ships. The repetition of this line underscores the trauma and lasting impact of slavery. Marley also comments on the state of post-slavery society, where black people may be technically free but are still oppressed, impoverished, and illiterate. He argues that the system is designed to keep people in poverty, and that money is the only thing that matters.
The song ends with a plea for mercy and a call to action. Marley implores God to have mercy on the souls of those who perpetuated slavery, while also warning slave drivers that they will face consequences for their actions. "Slave Driver" is a powerful statement against systemic oppression and serves as a reminder that we must fight for justice and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
Slave driver, the table is turn (catch your fire)
The oppressor can no longer control their victim and it's time for them to face the consequences of their actions.
Catch your fire, so you can get burn, now (catch your fire)
The oppressor will face the same fate as their victims, and they must be aware of the consequences of their actions.
Every time I hear the crack of a whip My blood runs cold
The mere sound of the whip reminds the singer of the brutality inflicted on the slaves, and sends shivers down their spine.
I remember on the slave ship How they brutalize the very souls
The artist reflects on the inhumane treatment and torture inflicted upon the slaves during the Middle Passage and beyond.
Today they say that we are free Only to be chained in poverty
Although slavery was abolished, the black community continues to experience oppression and poverty due to systemic racism.
Good God, I think it's illiteracy It's only a machine that makes money
The singer points out that the system of oppression is driven by greed and ignorance towards human rights and dignity.
Oh God, have mercy on our souls!
The singer prays for salvation from the cycle of oppression and inhumanity.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@theloniouscoltrane3778
"Slave Driver"
Ooh-ooh-oo-ooh. Oo-oo-ooh! Oo-oo-ooh.
Slave driver, the table is turn; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn, now. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire: gonna get burn. (catch a fire) Wo, now!
Ev'rytime I hear the crack of a whip,
My blood runs cold.
I remember on the slave ship,
How they brutalize the very souls.
Today they say that we are free,
Only to be chained in poverty.
Good God, I think it's illiteracy;
It's only a machine that makes money.
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all. Ooh-ooh-oo-ooh.
Slave driver, uh! The table is turn, baby, now; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn, baby, now. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire: so you can get burn, now. (catch a fire)
Ev'rytime I hear the crack of a whip,
My blood runs cold.
I remember on the slave ship,
How they brutalize the very soul.
O God, have mercy on our souls!
Oh, slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire, so you can get burn. (catch a fire)
Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all; (catch a fire)
Catch a fire ... [fadeout]
@eddymanijean6794
Slave Driver (Esclavagiste)
Slave driver the table is turned
Esclavagiste les choses ont changé
Catch a fire so you can get burned
Attrape un feu et tu peux te brûler
Slave driver your table is turned
Esclavagiste tes choses ont changé
Catch your fire, you're gonna get burned
Attrape ton feu, tu vas te brûler
Ev'ry time I hear the crack of a whip
Chaque fois que j'entends le claquement d'un fouet
My blood runs cold
Mon sang se glace
I remember on the slave ship
Je me rappelle sur le bateau d'esclaves
How they brutalised their very souls
Comment ils brutalisaient nos âmes
Today they say that we are free
Aujourd'hui ils disent que nous sommes libres
Only to be chained in poverty
Seulement d'être enchaînés dans la pauvreté
Good god, I think it's all illiteraci
Bon Dieu, je crois que tout ca est illégal
It's only a machine that makes money
C'est seulement une machine qui fait de l'argent
@eddymanijean6794
Slave Driver (Marchand D'esclaves)
Slave driver the table is turned
Marchant d'esclaves les choses ont changé
Catch a fire so you can get burned
Attrape un feu et tu peux te brûler
Slave driver your table is turned
Marchant d'esclaves tes choses ont changé
Catch your fire, you're gonna get burned
Attrape ton feu, tu vas te brûler
Ev'ry time I hear the crack of a whip
Chaque fois que j'entends le claquement d'un fouet
My blood runs cold
Mon sang se glace
I remember on the slave ship
Je me rappelle sur le bateau d'esclaves
How they brutalised their very souls
Comment ils brutalisaient nos âmes
Today they say that we are free
Aujourd'hui ils disent que nous sommes libres
Only to be chained in poverty
Seulement d'être enchaînés dans la pauvreté
Good god, I think it's all illiteraci
Bon Dieu, je crois que tout ca est illégal
It's only a machine that makes money
C'est seulement une machine qui fait de l'argent
@Polygor2
I prefer the Jamaican version of the album as everything sounds clearer
@maryajones3147
The very 1st Bob Marley and the Wailers album I ever purchased👌
@Johnelienyc187
Same here
@adhominemsis-t.australisensis
And the best!
@annalishagoring
@@adhominemsis-t.australisensis one of the best yes
@WMAGene
This song pours from the speakers like slow syrup. Delicious!
@marcelo_koman
Sweet and Saucy
@Zlervo
Yes please 😍
@levicanterbury797
Um
@kevincarrillo9627
Amén