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
Stop That Train
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stop that train, I'm leavin' anyway!
Stop that train, I'm leavin'
And I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
All my good life I've been a lonely man
Teachin' my people who don't understand
And even though I tried my best
I still can't find no happiness
So I got to say
Stop that train, I'm leavin' oh, baby now!
Stop that train, I'm leavin', I don't care what you say!
Stop that train, I'm leavin'
And I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
Some goin' east, and-a some goin' to west
Some stand aside to try their best
Some livin' big, but the most is livin' small
They just can't even find no food at all
I mean, stop it
Stop that train, I'm leavin', believe me, mm-hmm
Stop that train, I'm leavin', I don't mind!
Stop that train, I'm leavin'
And I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
Stop that train, I'm leavin', believe me
Stop that train, I'm leavin', can't take it!
Stop that train, I'm leavin', got to be better!
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
I said it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
The lyrics of Bob Marley's song, "Stop that Train," depict a man who is tired of his current situation and wants to leave it all behind. He is leaving his homeland either way and wants the train to stop so that he can get on it. The song is about realizing that the current situation is not for him, he has done his best tried his best, but he still cannot find happiness.
The lyrics also describe the struggles of people living in poverty. Some people are going east, and some are going to the west. Some are doing their best, and some are just surviving. The overall message of the song is about moving on and finding something better.
The song's lyrics were written by Peter Tosh, former member of the Wailers. It was also Tosh who sang it during the early years of the band. Bob Marley later recorded it with a slight change in the lyrics, and it became one of his early hits.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop that train, I'm leavin' today!
The singer wants the train to stop because he is leaving and wants to get off.
Stop that train, I'm leavin' anyway!
Regardless of what happens, the singer is determined to leave and wants the train to stop.
Stop that train, I'm leavin'
The singer wants the train to stop so that he can leave.
And I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
The singer is confident that his departure will happen soon, regardless of whether or not it's the right decision.
All my good life I've been a lonely man
The singer has been lonely for his entire life.
Teachin' my people who don't understand
The singer has been trying to teach people who do not get what he's saying.
And even though I tried my best
The singer has tried his hardest to teach people, but they still don't understand.
I still can't find no happiness
Despite his efforts, the singer is still not happy.
So I got to say
The singer is ready to speak his truth.
Some goin' east, and-a some goin' to west
People are going in different directions, both literally and figuratively.
Some stand aside to try their best
Some people choose to watch and do their best in the situation.
Some livin' big, but the most is livin' small
Some people are living extravagantly, but the majority are living poorly.
They just can't even find no food at all
Some people are struggling to find the basic necessities.
I mean, stop it
The singer is urging for change and wants something to be done about the situation.
Stop that train, I'm leavin', believe me, mm-hmm
The singer is telling the train to stop because he truly means it and is set on leaving.
Stop that train, I'm leavin', I don't mind!
The singer doesn't care what happens, he just wants the train to stop so he can leave.
Stop that train, I'm leavin'
The singer wants the train to stop so that he can leave and start a new chapter.
And I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
Regardless of whether or not it's the right decision, the singer knows he'll be leaving soon.
Stop that train, I'm leavin', believe me
The singer is emphasizing the urgency of the situation and wants the train to stop so he can leave.
Stop that train, I'm leavin', can't take it!
The singer is in a situation he can't handle and is desperate to leave.
Stop that train, I'm leavin', got to be better!
The singer is looking forward to a better future and wants to leave his current situation behind.
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
The singer knows he's leaving soon, regardless of whether or not it's the right decision.
I said it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong
The singer repeats that he'll be leaving soon, regardless of whether or not it's the right decision.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eddymanijean6794
"Stop That Train"
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - today!
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - anyway!
Stop that train: I'm leavin'. And I said:
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong;
I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong.
All my good life I've been a lonely man,
Teachin' my people who don't understand;
And even though I tried my best,
I still can't find no happiness.
So I got to say:
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - oh, baby now!
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - don't care what you say!
Stop that train: I'm leavin'. And I said:
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong;
Said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong.
Some goin' east; and-a some goin' west,
Some stand aside to try their best.
Some livin' big, but the most is livin' small::
They just can't even find no food at all.
I mean, stop it:
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - leavin', mm-hmm.
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - I don't mind!
Stop that train: I'm leavin'. And I said:
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong;
I said it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong.
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - leavin'!
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - can't take it!
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - got to be better!
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong;
I said it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong.
@theloniouscoltrane3778
"Stop That Train"
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - today!
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - anyway!
Stop that train: I'm leavin'. And I said:
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong;
I said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong.
All my good life I've been a lonely man,
Teachin' my people who don't understand;
And even though I tried my best,
I still can't find no happiness.
So I got to say:
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - oh, baby now!
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - don't care what you say!
Stop that train: I'm leavin'. And I said:
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong;
Said, it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong.
Some goin' east; and-a some goin' west,
Some stand aside to try their best.
Some livin' big, but the most is livin' small::
They just can't even find no food at all.
I mean, stop it:
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - leavin', mm-hmm.
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - I don't mind!
Stop that train: I'm leavin'. And I said:
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong;
I said it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong.
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - leavin'!
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - can't take it!
Stop that train: I'm leavin' - got to be better!
It won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong;
I said it won't be too long whether I'm right or wrong. [fadeout]
@corus2960
absolutely timeless. such a shame most people think bob marley and peter tosh are only music to smoke with. political and spiritual messages at their peak. voice of the poor, the powerless and the misunderstood. yet so much positive energy to uplift.
@ChEs-qi3tl
Agree ❤
@among_vegans9690
Rastafari!
@rodrigocampo9014
You can smoke and issue that messages, in fact they did....
@jamalalqassem5079
I feel like "most" is a strong word here, but then again... toktok 😔 many our chidren (even adults actually) are lost
@shrimpflea
RIP Aston "Familyman" Barrett.
@MojoRising-oi9ef
The Catch A Fire album is a masterpiece. Just brilliant. Pure art. 👌
@tonyrosales915
Thank you Peter Mackintosh for such a beautiful tune. My favorite Wailers song growing up....
@rosaturban1668
Bob + Peter + Bunny = ❤
@localafh
The undisputed King of Reggae! He started the modern day Reggae Revolution. A true pioneer. ‘Love Always’ Matthew 19:26