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
Wake Up And Live
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wake up and live, y'all
Wake up and live!
Wake up and live now!
Wake up and live!
Life is one big road with lots of signs
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts
Put your vision to reality, yeah!
All together now
Wake up and live (wake up and live, y'all)
Wake up and live (wake up and live)
Wake up and wake up and live, yeah! (Wake up and live now)
Wake up and (wake up and live), wake up and live!
Rise ye mighty people, yeah!
There's work to be done
So let's do it a little by little
Rise from your sleepless slumber! Yes, yeah! Yes, yeah!
We're more than sand on the seashore
We're more than numbers
All together now
Wake up and live now, y'all!
(Wake up and live) Wake up and live! Wake up
(Wake up and live, y'all) Wake up and live now!
You see, one, one cocoa full a basket
Whey they use you live big today, tomorrow you buried in a casket
One, one cocoa full a basket, yeah, yes!
Whey they use you live big today, tomorrow you bury in a casket
W'all together now (wake up and live now!)
Wake up and live! Oh! Yeah! (Wake up and live!) Uh!
(Wake up and live now!) Wake up and live!
(Wake up and live) Keep on playin'!
(Wake up and live, y'all) Uh! Yeah! Yeah!
(Wake up and live!)
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!) Break it down!
Come on, man!
How is it feelin' over there?
(Wake up and live now) All right!
(Wake up and live!) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Uh!
Come on, man!
You gotta wake up and live!
Life is one big road with lots of signs, yes!
So when you riding through the ruts
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts
Put your dream to reality, yeah!
W'all together now (wake up and live, y'all)
(Wake up and live!) Wake up and live, yeah!
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!)
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live) Wooh!
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!)
The song "Wake Up and Live" by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a call to action to live life to the fullest and to pursue one's dreams. The lyrics open with a powerful message encouraging listeners to wake up and live, urging them to embrace the opportunities and challenges of life. Marley talks about the different paths and experiences that one can have in life- comparing it to one big road with lots of signs. He advises listeners to avoid complicating their minds and to avoid negativity by fleeing from hate, mischief, and jealousy. Marley reminds listeners to believe in themselves and to turn their thoughts into reality.
The song also addresses the theme of empowerment, calling all "mighty people" to rise and take action towards success. Marley encourages his audience to start with small steps, doing a little at a time, to accomplish even the biggest of dreams. The lyrics also caution against living for the moment and accumulating wealth, emphasizing that life is not about temporary pleasure but about pursuing one's true purpose.
Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Wake Up and Live" is a metaphor for life and a call to action, urging listeners to live their best lives and to make the most out of every opportunity.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up and live, y'all
It's time to wake up and start living your life to the fullest
Life is one big road with lots of signs
Life is a journey with many paths, options, and opportunities
So when you riding through the ruts
When you encounter obstacles or challenges in your life
Don't you complicate your mind
Don't overthink or make things more difficult than they are
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Avoid negative emotions and avoid causing harm to others
Don't bury your thoughts
Don't hide or ignore your ideas and aspirations
Put your vision to reality, yeah!
Work towards making your dreams a reality
Rise ye mighty people, yeah!
This is a call to action to rise up and make a difference
There's work to be done
There are problems that need solving and things that need improving
We're more than sand on the seashore
We are valuable, unique, and significant individuals
One, one cocoa full a basket
Small steps add up to big results
Whey they use you live big today, tomorrow you buried in a casket
Material possessions and temporary pleasures are not as important as making a lasting impact
Come on, man! You gotta wake up and live!
This is a motivational statement to encourage taking action and living fully
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: BOB MARLEY, ANTHONY DAVIS, Sangie Davis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rajen Rambhadjan
massive
@starseedlaila9888
Wake up and live, y'all
Wake up and live!
Wake up and live now!
Wake up and live!
Life is one big road with lots of signs
So when you riding through the ruts
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts
Put your vision to reality, yeah!
All together now
Wake up and live (wake up and live, y'all)
Wake up and live (wake up and live)
Wake up and wake up and live, yeah! (Wake up and live now)
Wake up and (wake up and live), wake up and live!
Rise ye mighty people, yeah!
There's work to be done
So let's do it a little by little
Rise from your sleepless slumber! Yes, yeah! Yes, yeah!
We're more than sand on the seashore
We're more than numbers
All together now
Wake up and live now, y'all!
(Wake up and live) Wake up and live! Wake up
(Wake up and live, y'all) Wake up and live now!
You see, one, one cocoa full a basket
Whey they use you live big today, tomorrow you buried in a casket
One, one cocoa full a basket, yeah, yes!
Whey they use you live big today, tomorrow you bury in a casket
W'all together now (wake up and live now!)
Wake up and live! Oh! Yeah! (Wake up and live!) Uh!
(Wake up and live now!) Wake up and live!
(Wake up and live) Keep on playin'!
(Wake up and live, y'all) Uh! Yeah! Yeah!
(Wake up and live!)
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!) Break it down!
Come on, man!
How is it feelin' over there?
(Wake up and live now) All right!
(Wake up and live!) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Uh!
Come on, man!
You gotta wake up and live!
Life is one big road with lots of signs, yes!
So when you riding through the ruts
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Don't bury your thoughts
Put your dream to reality, yeah!
@braulionascimento3222
One, two, three, four
Wake up and live, y'all
Wake up and live
Wake up and live now
Wake up and live
Life is one big road with lots of signs
So when you riding through the ruts
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy
Don't bury your thoughts
Put your vision to reality, yeah
All together now
Wake up and live (wake up and live, y'all)
Wake up and live (wake up and live)
Wake up and wake up and live, yeah (wake up and live now)
Wake up and wake up and live (wake up and live)
Rise, ye mighty people, yeah
There's work to be done
So let's do it a little by little
Rise from your sleepless slumber
Yes, yeah, yes, yeah
We're more than sand on the seashore
We're more than numbers
All together now
Wake up and live now, y'all
(Wake up and live) wake up and live
Wake up and live, y'all
(Wake up and live) wake up and live now
You see, one one cocoa full a basket
Already used you life big today
Tomorrow you buried in a casket
One, one cocoa full a basket, yeah, yes
When they use you life big today
Tomorrow you bury in a casket
Woah, all together now
(Wake up and live now) wake up and live, oh yeah
(Wake up and live) uh
(Wake up and live now) wake up and live
(Wake up and live) keep on playing!
(Wake up and live, y'all) uh, yeah, yeah
(Wake up and live)
(Wake up and live now)
(Wake up and live) break it down
Come on, man!
How is it feelin' over there?
(Wake up and live now) all right!
(Wake up and live) yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Uh
Come on, man
You gotta wake up and live!
Life is one big road with lots of signs, yes
So when you riding through the ruts
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy
Don't bury your thoughts
Put your dream to reality, yeah
Woah, all together now
wake up and live, yeah
(Wake up and live now)
(Wake up and live)
Wake up and live now
(Wake up and live)
Wake up and live now
Wake up and live
@carlossantanamartel
ROBERT NESTA MARLEY
BOB MARLEY
KING OF REGGAE OF ALL TIMES
RESPECT FOREVER
HIS MUSIC WILL GO ON FOREVER
A GREAT MAN AND A GREAT FIGHTER FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF HIS PEOPLE, JAMAICA AND AFRICA
JAH RASTAFARI
JAH LOVE
RASTA NEVER GIVE UP
POSITIVE VIBRATIONS
ROOTS
RASTAMAN VIBRATIONS
HERB IS LIFE
KAYAMAN VIBRATIONS
❤️ 💛 💚
💚 💛 ❤️
🇯🇲 🇯🇲 🇯🇲
@neattechnologiestz8636
Every song in Survival album could be released as SINGLE and be a hit in media.... Masterpiece writing work of Mr Nesta Marley
@flynncremin6347
And the wailers
@chrisgriffiths8454
Truth
@paul65874
True
@renzorabot4141
🎯
@jairusboone3332
ABSOLUTELY ❤💛💚
@cedrickross9025
We are more than sand on the seashore, we re more than numbers.!!!!ALLMIGHTY GOD...AMEN🙏
@Nemo71340
One of the best musicians of all time. Of any genre. Bob was one of a kind. He sounds so good live too. It sounds exactly like the record.
@Realness112
The Trumpet Solo On This Is Awesome!!! It Was Not Just Bob Marley The Amazing Prophet But The People Behind The Instruments And Backing Singers Too!!! #WakeUpAndLive