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 βExodusβ (1977) was named Album of the Century by Time Magazine and his song βOne Loveβ 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 Part 1
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,
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, ye-ah!
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,
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-eah!
(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, yea-eah!
(Wake up and live now!)
(Wake up and live!)
Wake up and live now!
(Wake up and live) Wo-oh!
Wake up and live now!
Wake up and live
The song Wake Up & Live by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a call to action for people to wake up from their slumber and make their dreams a reality. The lyrics suggest that life is a journey with many obstacles and challenges. It is important to focus on the signposts along the way, instead of complicating our minds with hate, jealousy and mischief. The song advises us to keep our thoughts alive and to put them into action, as we are more than just a number in this world. The lyrics also warn us that if we live only for today, we might end up buried in a casket tomorrow.
The message of Wake Up & Live is a powerful one that encourages listeners to take control of their lives and work towards their dreams. It is a reminder of the importance of focusing on what is truly important in life and not getting bogged down by negativity or distractions. The song has a catchy rhythm and chorus that makes it easy to sing along to and remember.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up and live, y'all,
Get up and start living your life to the fullest, everyone,
Wake up and live!
It's time to wake up from your slumber and start living your life fully.
Life is one big road with lots of signs,
Life is a journey that presents many options and challenges along the way.
So when you riding through the ruts, don't you complicate your mind:
Don't overthink things when you experience setbacks or difficult situations; simply focus on the present moment and keep moving forward.
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy!
Avoid negative emotions like hatred, deceitfulness, and envy if you want to lead a positive life.
Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality, yeah!
Don't suppress your ideas and aspirations instead, make them a reality by giving them a chance.
Rise ye mighty people, ye-ah!
People, let's get up and work towards success and human growth.
There's work to be done, So let's do it-a little by little:
There is a lot of work that needs to be done, so let's do it gradually and step by step.
Rise from your sleepless slumber! Yes, yeah! Yes, yeah!
Get up and get going so that you can move forward productively.
We're more than sand on the seashore, We're more than numbers.
We are more than just numerical data or resources; each one of us has immense potential.
You see, one - one cocoa full a basket,
Small achievements done consistently can add up to big success.
Whey they use you live big today: tomorrow you buried in-a casket.
Live your life with purpose and dignity. Life is short, and your actions will determine how you'll be recalled after death.
Come on, man! You gotta wake up and live!
Get up and start living your life to the best of your ability!
Lyrics Β© KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING LIMITED,
Written by: BOB MARLEY, ANTHONY DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eduardo Silva
Esse reggae passa de geração em geração e jamais vai ser esquecido
Amaurys U
Amazing lyrics, straight and direct. What more can you want to repeat in a song? Basic and to the heart. Jah Live.
Iron Lady
Even after his death, he still on Billboard top ten artist!!
Shaquille Bentley
Bob Marley should be number 1 till the end of human creation.
Dan Amgine
One of my favorite Marley tunes, great song to start the day dancing with (riiiiiiiiiiiiise from your sleep and slumber)!
Djalma Freire
β€οΈ.o homem cantava de mais,,π contando a realidade da vida real.πππ
Felipe Santos
O ΓΊnico insubstituΓvel inimitΓ‘vel insuperΓ‘vel Lenda Rei Do Reggae!!!
Oldaness
Nunca la habΓa escuchado completa uff que joya!!
SOMSWED.
never gonna get tired of listening thisΒ song
DarlinJacq
Thank you for this and much love to Bob Marley, The King of Reggae...