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
So much truble in the world
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So much trouble in the world
Bless my eyes this morning
Jah sun is on the rise once again
The way earthly things are going
Anything can happen
Blast off on their spaceships
Million miles from reality
No care for you, no care for me
So much trouble in the world
So much trouble in the world
All you've got to do is give a little (Give a little)
Give a little (Give a little)
Give a little (Give a little)
One more time yeah! (Give a little)
Yeah! (Give a little) yeah! (Give a little) yeah!
So you think you've found the solution
But it's just another illusion
So before you check out this tide
Don't leave another cornerstone standing there behind
We've got to face the day
Ooh we come what may
We the street people talking
Yeah, we the people struggling
Now they are sitting on a time bomb (Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb, bomb!)
Now I know the time has come (Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb, bomb!)
What goes on up is coming on down (Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb, bomb!)
Goes around and comes around (Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb, bomb!)
So much trouble in the world
So much trouble in the world
So much trouble in the world
There is so much trouble, (So much trouble in the world)
There is so much trouble
There is so much trouble (So much in the world)
There is so much trouble
There is so much trouble in the world (So much trouble in the world)
There is (So much in the world)
Bob Marley’s song “So much trouble in the world” is a reflection on the global social, economic and political problems that prevailed during his time. The song starts with a call for Jah's blessing as the sun rises. The singer then highlights how the world is drifting towards disaster, where humans are too self-absorbed, neglecting the needs of others. Marley's lyrics expose the hypocrisy of the powerful elite who live on Earth while blasting off on spaceships to escape the mess they have created. The chorus repeats the words “So much trouble in the world” as a cry for help and hope.
Marley introduces the second verse by addressing the listener directly and warns them of the danger of believing in an illusionary solution to the world's problems. He urges them to confront the realities head-on and not to leave behind any stones unturned. The song progresses with the struggles of the oppressed people, including the street and working-class, who have been let down by their leaders. The song culminates with a warning that if the leaders do not address the issues, they are sitting on a ticking time bomb that will eventually explode, bringing them down.
Line by Line Meaning
So much trouble in the world
The world is facing a lot of problems and challenges.
Bless my eyes this morning
Grateful for the sunrise and the start of a new day.
Jah sun is on the rise once again
Acknowledgement of the power and grace of a higher being.
The way earthly things are going
Anything can happen
The current state of the world is uncertain and anything can occur.
You see men sailing on their ego trips
People are consumed by their own selfishness and arrogance.
Blast off on their spaceships
Million miles from reality
No care for you, no care for me
Individuals are isolating themselves from the problems of the world and disregarding the well-being of others.
All you've got to do is give a little (Give a little)
Give a little (Give a little)
Give a little (Give a little)
One more time yeah! (Give a little)
Yeah! (Give a little) yeah! (Give a little) yeah!
Small contributions can make a big difference in addressing the issues of the world.
So you think you've found the solution
But it's just another illusion
Proposed solutions to the world's problems are often temporary or not effective in the long run.
So before you check out this tide
Don't leave another cornerstone standing there behind
Take responsibility for one's actions and ensure that positive change is made before moving on.
We've got to face the day
Ooh we come what may
We the street people talking
Yeah, we the people struggling
Regardless of socio-economic status, everyone is affected by the troubles of the world and must face them together.
Now they are sitting on a time bomb (Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb, bomb!)
Now I know the time has come (Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb, bomb!)
What goes on up is coming on down (Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb, bomb!)
Goes around and comes around (Bomb, bomb, bomb! Bomb, bomb, bomb!)
The consequences of actions and inactions will eventually catch up and escalate.
There is so much trouble, (So much trouble in the world)
There is so much trouble
There is so much trouble (So much in the world)
There is so much trouble
There is so much trouble in the world (So much trouble in the world)
There is (So much in the world)
Repeated emphasis on the severity and urgency of the world's problems.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lucio Rozendo
Tantos Problemas No Mundo
Tantos problemas no mundo
Tantos problemas no mundo
Abençoe meus olhos esta manhã
O Sol de Jah se levanta novamente
O jeito que as coisas estão indo
Tudo pode acontecer
Homens navegando em suas viagens egóicas
Decolando em sua nave espacial
Milhões de milhas da realidade
Ninguém se importa com você, ninguém se importa comigo
Tantos problemas no mundo
Tantos problemas no mundo
Tudo que você tem a fazer é dar um pouco
Tentar um pouco, dar um pouco
Uma vez mais, sim, sim!
Então você acha que encontrou a solução
Mas é apenas outra ilusão
Então antes de você checar esta maré
Não deixe outra pedra angular
Ficar para trás
Nós temos que enfrentar o dia
Ooh-wee, venha o que vier
Nós as pessoas da rua conversando
Nós as pessoas que lutam
Agora eles sentam em uma bomba relógio
Agora eu sei que a hora chegou
O que subiu está descendo
O que vai ao redor, volta
Tantos problemas no mundo
Tantos problemas no mundo
Tantos problemas no mundo
Há tanto problema
Há tanto problema
Há tanto problema
Há tanto problema no mundo
Há tanto problema no mundo
So Much Trouble In The World
So much trouble in the world
So much trouble in the world
Bless my eyes this morning
Jah sun is on the rise once again
The way earthly things are going
Anything can happen
You see men sailing on their ego trips
Blast off on their space ship
Million miles from reality
No care for you, no care for me
So much trouble in the world
So much trouble in the world
All you got to do is give a little
Dig a little, give a little
One more time, yeah, yeah!
So you think you have found the solution
But it's just another illusion
So before you check out this tide
Don't leave another cornerstone
Standing there behind
We've got to face the day
Ooh-we come what may
We the street people talking
We the people struggling
Now they are sitting on a time bomb
Now I know the time has come
What goes on up is coming on down
Goes around and comes around
So much trouble in the world
So much trouble in the world
So much trouble in the world
There is so much trouble
There is so much trouble
There is so much trouble
There is so much trouble in the world
There is so much trouble in the world
A W
His music is the blueprint to peace, his legacy is not about weed, but achieving higher spirits,and vibrations. Its physical his music is medicine makes me feel better.
DRL CA
I agree. It's like binaural frequencies. The rhythm just makes you feel better. It is the blueprint to peace, but it also is physically healing. It's both macro and micro. It has philosophical, medical properties. Not just Bob, but others as well. He was just one of the best.
Esco KickS
Toni Whitney your completely correct his son is yet to feel his own fathers vibration , god is medicine not the herb , he never promoted marijuana to kids , British , French , and European christians did that , his son is on the other hand promoting it and he looks as if he’s dying I’m sorry to say
Queen Ateeba
I'm in the Americas and he spoke to our souls I don't be thinking of negativity they try to say about him. He's a legend energy so positive his music uplifts me and my husband on tough work days. He never gave marijuana to children.
sugerlipsx Jamie wright
Toni Whitney The music brings about the ability to continue to connect one man to another though that and it’s enjoyment that their of beautiful sound true peace is made in my opinion .
Alfredo Jarillo
THANK YOU!! I remember being in Mexico as a little kid when my brother introduced me to Bob, i didn't know a bit of english back then, & since then he was a symbol of weed until i got to America and felt what each lyric meant & after all this years i still hear something new & understand something new to what he had to say, overall lyrics and music it's that one safe place where i let myself wonder and feel hella good! Saludos amigo!
Leo
I love Bob Marley and his music so much. It reminds me of the dark times in my life in the period 2008-2010... I was 16-18 got in trouble with everything and everyone, felt the entire world was against me. I was so depressed. And his music magically lifted me up from the darkness, inspired me and gave me the courage to make a vital decision to change my life for good. I moved to a different country to start fresh. I went from living in a city with my parents and siblings where it felt crowded in a house with 6 other people but where I had everything... to a tiny room above a Chinese restaurant in a random village. It wasn’t much but I had very nice housemates and the rent was very cheap. But above all... I had my freedom and could think clearly. I finished secondary school and college university. I became a better version of myself and changed my entire personality. From pessimistic angry and closed to very optimistic, open and cheerful. But it didn’t stop there. I’ve become that person that motivates and encourages others to pursue their dreams. I felt I had to do something back. When people ask me how come I’m always happy I say: Bob Marley.
Steve Perera
Respect Lion, stay blessed
RaKali Divine
Beautiful!!! I’m just now starting to listen to him I feel the exact same way u felt years ago I just hope I get to operate in my higher self
Mona Yolanda
That's really a wonderful story.