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 โExodusโ (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song โOne Loveโ 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
Sugar Sugar
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, honey honey (honey) sugar (oh, sugar sugar) Tell you what
(You are my candy girl) And you got me (and you got me wantin' you)
I just can't believe the loveliness of loving you
(I just can't believe it's true, drip drop, drip drop)
I just can't believe the wonders of this feeling too
(I just can't believe it's true)
When I mix them together (you are my candy girl) That's what you are
(and you got me wanting you) Got me, got me, got me, got me
(Oh honey) Honey, I'm a sugar (oh, sugar sugar)
I describe you together (you are my candy girl)
That's what you are (and you got me wanting you)
Let me tell ya, when I kissed you girl, I knew how sweet a kiss could be
[knew how sweet a kiss could be, drip drop, drip drop]
Like a silver sunshine, pour your sweetness over me
[pour your sweetness over me]
A let me be with (honey) Honey, sugar (oh, sugar sugar)
Oh, please be both them together (you are my candy girl) And be
my candy girl (and you got me wanting you)
And you got me, got me, got me (oh, honey) Honey, I'm a sugar
(oh, sugar sugar)
I mix them together (you are my candy girl)
That's what you are (and you got me wanting you) Got me, got me
Yeah, pour your sugar (pour your sugar on me baby)
Pour it down [pour a little sugar on me honey)
Whoa yeah, sugar (we could-a make a life so sweet)
Yeah, yeah (hey, hey, hey) Yeah (pour out your sugar on me baby)
Pour your sugar (pour your sugar on me baby)
Oh yes, you got me honey (we could-a make a life so sweet) Yeah, yeah
(hey, hey, hey)
(Pour out your sugar on me baby) Pour your sugar baby
(pour out your sugar on me baby)
I don't mind (yeah, yeah, pour out your sugar on me baby) You feel it
Bob Marleyโs song โSugar Sugarโ is an ode to his significant other, whom he compares to sugar and candy. The lyrics express the overwhelming feelings of love that he experiences. His love for his honey is so great that it compares to the sweetness of sugar and candy. The chorus repeats the phrase โsugar, oh honey honey, you are my candy girlโ emphasizing the sweetness that his significant other brings to his life. The line, โI just canโt believe the loveliness of loving you,โ reveals the depth of his love for his partner, and how it has taken him by surprise. The imagery of โdrip drop, drip dropโ in the background emphasizes the sweetness of the honey while also creating a visual of the love flowing between the two individuals.
The second verse, โlet me tell ya, when I kissed you girl, I knew how sweet a kiss could beโ further emphasizes how the sweetness of the honey is reflected in his loverโs affection. The chorus repeats with an added line, โlet me be with, honey, sugar oh sugar sugarโ indicating that Bob Marley wants to spend more time with his partner, who he describes with sweet terms like honey and sugar. He encourages his partner to โpour your sugar on me babyโ and โpour a little sugar on me honeyโ indicating that their love is something that can create a sweet and fulfilling life together.
Line by Line Meaning
Sugar, oh honey honey, you are my candy girl (got me) and you got me wantin' you
Bob Marley is affectionately calling his lover โSugar' or โHoney' and expressing that she is his sweetest thing in life. Bob Marley is deeply in love with her and can't resist her charm.
Oh, honey honey (honey) sugar (oh, sugar sugar) Tell you what
Bob Marley is reiterating his love for his partner using sweet words and expressing his intentions to her through lyrics.
(You are my candy girl) And you got me (and you got me wantin' you)
Bob Marley is making a profound statement of how his lover is so alluring to him and he can't resist being around her.
I just can't believe the loveliness of loving you (I just can't believe it's true, drip drop, drip drop)
Bob Marley is overwhelmed by how he feels about his lover, and he is expressing his sense of disbelief that he has such profound emotions for someone in his life.
I just can't believe the wonders of this feeling too (I just can't believe it's true)
Bob Marley is reiterating his sense of amazement about his feelings and just how much love he has for his sweetheart.
Let me talk about my (my honey) Honey, I'm a sugar (oh, sugar sugar) When I mix them together (you are my candy girl) That's what you are (and you got me wanting you) Got me, got me, got me, got me (Oh honey)
Bob Marley is using sweet metaphors to describe his partner's sweet personality and the passionate love he feels for her. He's ecstatic and cannot resist loving her.
Honey, I'm a sugar (oh, sugar sugar) I describe you together (you are my candy girl) That's what you are (and you got me wanting you)
Bob Marley is once again stating that his lover is his sweetest thing in life and cannot resist being around her.
Let me tell ya, when I kissed you girl, I knew how sweet a kiss could be [knew how sweet a kiss could be, drip drop, drip drop] Like a silver sunshine, pour your sweetness over me [pour your sweetness over me]
Bob Marley is expressing his profound passion and the feeling of his lover's kiss. Her affection makes him feel like he is bathed in sunshine.
A let me be with (honey) Honey, sugar (oh, sugar sugar) Oh, please be both them together (you are my candy girl) And be my candy girl (and you got me wanting you) And you got me, got me, got me (oh, honey)
Bob Marley wants to be with his lover every moment and expresses how much he loves her. He sees her as the sweetest thing in life and cannot resist her charm.
I mix them together (you are my candy girl) That's what you are (and you got me wanting you) Got me, got me
Bob Marley is consumed by his love for his partner and repeats his feelings about how much he loves her.
Yeah, pour your sugar (pour your sugar on me baby) Pour it down [pour a little sugar on me honey) Whoa yeah, sugar (we could-a make a life so sweet) Yeah, yeah (hey, hey, hey) Yeah (pour out your sugar on me baby) Pour your sugar (pour your sugar on me baby)
Bob Marley is using some metaphors to describe how his lover's sweetness is influencing his life. He feels so much love for her and is suggesting that they could build a beautiful life together.
Oh yes, you got me honey (we could-a make a life so sweet) Yeah, yeah (hey, hey, hey) (Pour out your sugar on me baby) Pour your sugar baby (pour out your sugar on me baby) I don't mind (yeah, yeah, pour out your sugar on me, baby) You feel it
Bob Marley wants to feel his lover's sweetness all the time and cannot resist being around her. He is expressing how much he loves her and how they could build a beautiful life together.
Lyrics ยฉ Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andy Kim, Jeff Barry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rolan Silva Barbosa
Boa noite !!!
Muito boa musica !!!!!
Sou fรฃ do Bob Marley e nao conhecia essa musica !!!!!
Araruama RJ Brasil
KostaF64
... every little thing He touch is magic...
Atomic Pressure
So good!
David Grant
My first time hearing this Bob Manley cover
Paul burke
I never heard of it until now..
Gentle Jones
amazing version
willieluncheonette
And here's the Wailers' cover of the Archies' hit record. Towards the end of the song Bob shouts "Pour a little sugar on me, baby" and the rest of the group, Peter, Bunny and Rita start improvising in falsetto voices--a nice touch.ย
Robin Thompson
MMmMMMm GooooooD
Natural Sovereign
I wasnt born for the original, but this sounds like something I would've liked.
Duncan Mcphee
i had never heard this before until i watched a documentary about The Lost Tapes of studio 17 on the bbc i player. what a fantastic version of the Archies song