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
Survival a.k.a. Black Survivors
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
How can you be sitting there
Telling me that you care
That you care?
When every time I look around,
The people suffer in the suffering
In every way, in everywhere
Say, na-na-na-na-na (na-na, na-na!)
We're the survivors
Yes, the Black survivors!
I tell you what some people got everything
Some people got nothing
Some people got hopes and dreams
Some people got ways and means
Na-na-na-na-na (na-na, na-na!)
We're the survivors
Yes, the Black survivors!
Yes, we're the survivors, like Daniel out of the lions' den
(Black survivors) Survivors, survivors!
So I Idren, I sistren,
A-which way will we choose?
We better hurry oh, hurry oh, hurry wo, now!
'Cause we got no time to lose
Some people got facts and claims
Some people got pride and shame
Some people got the plots and schemes
Some people got no aim it seems
Na-na-na-na-na, (na-na, na-na!)
We're the survivors,
Yes, the Black survivors!
Tell you what, we're the survivors
Yeah! the Black survivors
Yeah! we're the survivors, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
(Black survivors), thrown in the fire, but never get burn
So I Idren, I sistren,
The preaching and talkin' is done
We've gotta live up, wo now, wo now!
'Cause the Father's time has come
Some people put the best outside
Some people keep the best inside
Some people can't stand up strong
Some people won't wait for long
(Na-na-na-na-na!) Na-na-na, na-na-na na!
We're the survivors
In this age of technological inhumanity (Black survival)
Scientific atrocity (survivors)
Atomic misphilosophy (Black survival)
Nuclear misenergy (survivors)
It's a world that forces lifelong insecurity (Black survival)
Together now
(Na-na-na-na-na!) Na na-na na na! (Na na-na na na!)
We're the survivors, yeah!
We're the survivors!
Yes, the Black survivors!
We're the survivors
A good man is never honored (survivors)
in his own country (Black survival)
Nothing change, nothing strange (survivors)
Nothing change, nothing strange (Black survivors)
We got to survive, y'all! (survivors)
The lyrics of Bob Marley's "Survival" are a call to action for his fellow black people to unite and resist the injustices they face all around the world. Marley starts by questioning the sincerity of those who claim to care about the suffering of others while doing nothing to alleviate the pain. The song is a message of hope and courage to those who feel oppressed and hopeless. He compares the black community to historical figures like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were thrown into the fire but never got burned. He urges his fellow black people to choose a path that will lead to liberation and reminds them that they are survivors.
The lyrics also underscore the stark inequality between different groups of people in society, with some having "everything" and others having "nothing." Marley emphasizes that black people are survivors who have persevered through generations of suffering and injustice. This song was written during a time of great social and political upheaval in Jamaica, as the country faced increasing violence and oppression from the government and ruling elites. Through his music, Marley sought to inspire people to resist and fight back against these injustices.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ow-ow-ow-ow! Ow, ow-ow-ow-ow!)
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
The song begins with enthusiastic chants and sounds, setting the mood for a strong and powerful message about survival.
How can you be sitting there
Telling me that you care
That you care?
When every time I look around,
The people suffer in the suffering
In every way, in everywhere
The singer questions the hypocrisy of people claiming to care while ignoring the widespread suffering that he sees all around him.
Say, na-na-na-na-na (na-na, na-na!)
We're the survivors
Yes, the Black survivors!
The repeated chorus celebrates the strength and resilience of Black people, emphasizing that they have survived despite the many challenges they have faced.
I tell you what some people got everything
Some people got nothing
Some people got hopes and dreams
Some people got ways and means
The singer points out the inequality and disparity that exists in the world, where some people have every advantage while others struggle with nothing.
Yes, we're the survivors, like Daniel out of the lions' den
(Black survivors) Survivors, survivors!
The story of Daniel in the lions' den is used as a metaphor for the strength and faith that allowed Black people to survive and thrive despite great adversity.
So I Idren, I sistren,
A-which way will we choose?
We better hurry oh, hurry oh, hurry wo, now!
'Cause we got no time to lose
Some people got facts and claims
Some people got pride and shame
Some people got the plots and schemes
Some people got no aim it seems
The singer urges his listeners to take action and make choices in their lives, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. He notes that people have different strengths and weaknesses, but that everyone needs to find a way to contribute to the struggle for survival.
Tell you what, we're the survivors
Yeah! the Black survivors
Yeah! we're the survivors, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
(Black survivors), thrown in the fire, but never get burn
Another Biblical story is referenced, as the singer cites the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who survived being thrown into a fiery furnace by their enemies. This serves as a symbol of the resilience and courage that Black people have shown in the face of persecution and oppression.
So I Idren, I sistren,
The preaching and talkin' is done
We've gotta live up, wo now, wo now!
'Cause the Father's time has come
Some people put the best outside
Some people keep the best inside
Some people can't stand up strong
Some people won't wait for long
The singer calls for action, saying that it's time to live up to one's potential and make a difference. He notes that people have different approaches to life, but that everyone needs to be strong and patient in order to survive and succeed.
(Na-na-na-na-na!) Na-na-na, na-na-na na!
We're the survivors
In this age of technological inhumanity (Black survival)
Scientific atrocity (survivors)
Atomic misphilosophy (Black survival)
Nuclear misenergy (survivors)
It's a world that forces lifelong insecurity (Black survival)
The song addresses the many dangers and injustices that Black people face in the modern world, including technology, science, and nuclear power. These threats create a sense of insecurity and uncertainty, but the singer highlights the strength and resilience of Black people in the face of these challenges.
Together now
(Na-na-na-na-na!) Na na-na na na! (Na na-na na na!)
We're the survivors, yeah!
We're the survivors!
Yes, the Black survivors!
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the unity and solidarity of Black people in the struggle for survival.
We're the survivors
A good man is never honored (survivors)
in his own country (Black survival)
Nothing change, nothing strange (survivors)
Nothing change, nothing strange (Black survivors)
We got to survive, y'all! (survivors)
The song ends with a reminder that even though the struggle for survival is ongoing, Black people have already achieved great things and have much to be proud of. The repeated phrase 'Nothing change, nothing strange' suggests that despite the challenges, Black people are resilient and adaptable, and can survive and thrive no matter what the future holds.
Lyrics © KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING LIMITED,
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nazım Yılmaz
on No Woman No Cry
el hombre de mundo
JANGLA WISE
on Three Little Birds
Give thanks and Praise's
Juan Carlos Garcia
on Stir It Up
muy buena musica
Shaft Abdou
on One Love
on love
Felix CM
on Ganjah Gun
:)
Felix CM
on Stir It Up
ganjah gan
Assamoi Junior
on One Love
One love Bob marley
Assamoi Junior
on Waiting In Vain
Cool man
Faisal Alowais
on Stir It Up
best song owwwwwwwwwwwwwwww owy
Ca Sperez
on Stir It Up
muy buena rola