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
Talkin
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too (doo-oo-oo-oo-oo!)
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too yeah!
I'm saying: talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
Your feet is just too big for your shoes (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Yeah, I've been down on the rock for so long, (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
I've been down on the rock for so long (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
But-a I I'm gonna stare in the sun
Let the rays shine in my eyes
I I'm a gonna take a just-a one step more
Cause I feel like bombin' a church
Now now that you know that the preacher is lyin'
So who's gonna stay at home
When when the freedom fighters are fighting?
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes, woe-oh-oh-oh!
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), keep on talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
They say you hear what they say
Didn't you hear?
Cold ground was my bed (bed last night)
Rockstone rockstone rockstone was my pillow
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too
Sayin' (talkin' blues, talkin' blues)
I seem to wear a permanent screw permanent screw
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
Feet is just too big for your shoes (Shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
In "Talkin' Blues," Bob Marley sings about his hardships and struggles, tumultuous existence, and the hypocrisy of the Church that claims to preach righteousness and peace, yet oppresses people. The song opens with Marley describing how he had to sleep on the cold ground with a rock as a pillow. He then uses his signature wailing vocals to sing about talkin' blues, which represents his emotions pouring out of him, leading to his contradictory behavior. Marley acknowledges that people around him criticize his choices and his personality, suggesting that his feet are too big for his shoes. In other words, he is different from the rest and doesn't fit into their frame of reference. But he also sings about the freedom fighters and their cause, not wanting to be excluded and wanting to contribute somehow.
Throughout the song, Marley plays with notions of self-doubt and misdirection to channel his anger and frustration into music. The line "I seem to wear a permanent screw" implies that he is feeling a bit unhinged and is not sure what to do. However, he then acknowledges that he will "stare in the sun" and "take just-a one step more" despite not knowing where he is going. He closes the song by talking about how his bed last night was still the cold ground with a rock as a pillow.
Overall, "Talkin' Blues" speaks to the human experience of feeling lost, out of place, and caught between the need to belong and the desire to break free. Marley's lyrics showcase his mastery of capturing the essence of the human condition and infusing it with his unique brand of reggae.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
I had to sleep on the cold, hard ground last night as I had nowhere else to go.
And rock was my pillow, too (doo-oo-oo-oo-oo!)
I used a rock as a substitute for a pillow, despite the obvious discomfort.
I'm saying: talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
I'm using the format of talkin' blues music to express my thoughts and feelings.
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
People judge and criticize others based on superficial characteristics that have no bearing on their abilities or character.
Your feet is just too big for your shoes (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
People will always find something to criticize - even if it's silly or irrelevant.
I've been down on the rock for so long (so long)
I've been in a difficult situation for a long time and am starting to feel helpless.
I seem to wear a permanent screw (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
I'm starting to feel bitter and cynical due to my ongoing hardships and struggles.
But-a I I'm gonna stare in the sun
Despite everything, I'm going to remain optimistic and hopeful for the future.
Let the rays shine in my eyes
I'm going to embrace life and all of its opportunities, no matter how bright or challenging they may seem.
I I'm a gonna take a just-a one step more
I'm going to push myself to take risks and take steps towards my goals, even if it's scary or difficult.
Cause I feel like bombin' a church
I'm frustrated with the way things are and feel like something drastic needs to happen to create change.
Now now that you know that the preacher is lyin'
I'm calling out hypocrisy and dishonesty in those who have power and influence over others.
So who's gonna stay at home
I'm challenging everyone to take action and become involved in creating change in the world.
When when the freedom fighters are fighting?
We all have a responsibility to support those who are fighting for justice and freedom.
They say you hear what they say, didn't you hear?
Even when people try to silence or dismiss our voices, we must keep speaking out and pushing for change.
Rockstone rockstone rockstone was my pillow
I had to make do with whatever resources were available to me, even if they were uncomfortable or inadequate.
Feet is just too big for your shoes (Shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
People will always find something to criticize, even if it's something we have no control over.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLTON BARRETT, LECON COGILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@valerieboynton53
BOB MARLEY - TALKING BLUES 🇯🇲 📻🔉🎼
🎛🔊🎼🎹🎵🎶🎧
⚰🔩 👞👞
R. I. P🌹
BOB ' NESTA ' MARLEY
KING OF REGGAE
CULTURUAL
CONSCIENCE MUSIC
QUEENS NY
WE LOVE🌹YOU
BOB NESTA MARLEY
MISS YOU MUCH
YOUR MUSIC COME
ONCE IN A LIFETIME
THE TRUTH
WHICH SUMS IT
ALL UP !
ACTUAL; FACTUAL
HOPEFULLY ,
TODAY WILL GET
ANOTHER SUPERSTAR
CONSCIENCE
MUSICIAN AS SUCH
INTERNATIONAL
GLOBAL🌐
ONE LOVE 💖
@naturallybless2060
Who listening to this song in 2024 and feeling the words in their bones.
@stephenhodges1856
This song just meant so much to me. After being victimized by the police because I was trying to defend myself from being robbed, while being basically homeless, then finally let go from incarceration after multiple judicial orders to release me, only to find myself far from home, money stolen, cold ground and rock stone for real. But you know what, in a hyper racially tense environment Jah guided me to a prison unit where all races treated each other with kindness and respect, where brothers treated me with respect, kindness and generosity. Sharing their little food and more importantly stories and hard truth vulnerable stories. Looked out for me and demanded the guards give me a mat to sleep on finally. Prayed for guidance and strength, and gave Jah praise and thanks for what we did have. I just listened to this song and felt such a weight lift. Blessings Bob, thank you and may peace be upon you.
@douglasbrown672
Who's gonna stay at home when the freedom fighters are fighting, my favorite line.
@Erykrockmusic
Very applicable to present day
@alntr2872
yep
@antoniomercedes4686
The best artist that ever lived in this planet.
@fernandolobo9218
Para mi tambien,for me he's the best of all time.
@chrisnatale460
No doubt
@ClemencePn
For real , 16 years old and my vision of life have aldready changed by him
@metafisicacibernetica
not the best artist but the ever lived in this planet