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
Top Rankin'
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting
They don't want to see us live together
All they want us to do is keep on killing one another
Top rankin', top rankin'
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Oh, did you mean what you say now?
Are you, oh are you? (rankin', rankin')
Are ya, Lord, Lord, Lord (skankin', skankin')
They say the blood runs
And it runs through our line,
And our hearts, heart of hearts divine, yeah!
And John saw them comin', ooh!
A with the truth
From an ancient time
The brotherly love (brotherly love)
The sisterly love (sisterly love)
I feel this morning, I feel this morning
Brotherly love (brotherly love)
The sisterly love (sisterly love)
I feel this morning, this morning, hey!
They don't want us to unite
All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting
They don't want to see us live together
All they want us to do is keep on killing one another
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Did ya mean what you say now? (top rankin')
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Top rankin' (top ranking)
Did you (top rankin') mean what you say? (top rankin')
Are you? (rankin', rankin)
Are you? (skankin', skankin')
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Are you? (skankin', skankin')
Ow are you? (skankin', skankin')
The lyrics of "Top Rankin'" by Bob Marley & The Wailers highlight the issue of division among people. The song seems to address those in power who don't want to see the common people unite and live together peacefully. Instead, they want the people to keep fighting among themselves and killing one another. Bob Marley sings that the blood that runs through our line and hearts is divine, and John saw them coming with the truth from an ancient time. The song also speaks to brotherly and sisterly love and unity.
In the chorus, Marley asks if the listeners are skankin' and are they top rankin'. The term "skankin'" is a Jamaican slang term that refers to dancing, and "top rankin'" means the best of the best. Therefore, Bob Marley is asking if the listeners are dancing and if they are giving their best to the cause of unity and brotherly/sisterly love.
Line by Line Meaning
They don't want to see us unite
Those in power do not want to see the common people join together.
All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting
Those in power want the common people to be in conflict and not at peace with each other.
They don't want to see us live together
People in power want to see the common people segregated and apart from each other.
All they want us to do is keep on killing one another
People in power benefit from the common people fighting and killing each other.
Top rankin', top rankin'
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following those in power and their agenda?
Oh, did you mean what you say now?
Do you truly believe in what you are saying and supporting?
Are you, oh are you? (rankin', rankin')
Are you truly aware of the role of those in power and where you stand in society?
Are ya, Lord, Lord, Lord (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following the agenda of those in power and not thinking for yourself?
They say the blood runs
People say that blood ties run deep and are important.
And it runs through our line,
And blood ties run through our family and community ties.
And our hearts, heart of hearts divine, yeah!
And our hearts are deeply connected and guided by the divine.
And John saw them comin', ooh!
And John, a prophet from an ancient time, foresaw these struggles and conflicts.
A with the truth
He, along with other prophets, preached the truth about the dangers of those in power.
The brotherly love (brotherly love)
Love between members of the same family and community is important.
The sisterly love (sisterly love)
Love between sisters and members of the same community is important.
I feel this morning, I feel this morning
I am feeling the importance of this love and connection now, in this moment.
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Did ya mean what you say now? (top rankin')
Do you truly believe in what you are saying and supporting?
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following those in power and their agenda?
Top rankin' (top ranking)
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Did you (top rankin') mean what you say?
Do you truly believe in what you are saying and supporting?
Are you? (rankin', rankin)
Are you truly aware of the role of those in power and where you stand in society?
Are you? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following the agenda of those in power and not thinking for yourself?
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Are you? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following the agenda of those in power and not thinking for yourself?
Ow are you? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following the agenda of those in power and not thinking for yourself?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scj5314
This song becomes more and more relevant over time
@Leandrozuccarelli
King of Reggae, your words and lyrics will be forever alive.. Rip Bob Marley, .. and thanks to who posted this marvellous track here !!!
@Lovedasyouare1
The line where he says "John saw them coming with the truth from an ancient time, the brotherly love the sisterly love I feel this morning " I cried for over an hour tears snot crying and cried and cried tears of love just remembering and connecting to an ancient time where we all love each other this much
@kurtpeterson315
Jah Rastafari! Brother Bob, the Sage and Prophet and spreader of Gospel! We know now why he was silenced by a cancer virus. UNITE INSTEAD OF FIGHT!
@jasonwilliams0306
John the Baptiste, his spiritual energy or spirit double [KAA] is Eliyah or Elijah - remember it was the 6ether Muslims who did not recognise him and chopped his head off, the lov9 we always had, its the others that must learn about lov9, yes agreed the 9ethers are no better today - but that was taught to them
@judithharrison578
THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH! THIS MAN WAS/IS A GENIUS! LONG LIVE BOB MARLEY!
@rootsychick2151
The Spirit moved you! Awesome
@Christian-Roots818
They don’t want to see Us Unite !
@udohnsikak6352
The groovy nature of this song is absolutely mesmerizing.Bob marley is no doubt the king of reggae music.
@lawrencenjawe9875
The Undisputed KING👑