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
What's New Pussycat
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's new pussycat whoa oh
Pussycat, pussycat, I've got flowers
And lots of hours to spend time with you
So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you yes I do
You and your pussycat nose
What's new pussycat whoa
What's new pussycat whoa oh oh
Pussycat, pussycat, you're so thrilling
And I'm so willing to care for you
So go and make up your big little pussycat eyes
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you yes I do
You and your pussycat eyes
What's new pussycat whoa
What's new pussycat whoa oh oh
Pussycat, pussycat, you're delicious
And if my wishes can all come true
I'll soon be kissing your sweet little pussycat lips
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you yes I do
You and your pussycat eyes whoa
You and your pussycat nose
The song “What’s New Pussycat” is a playful, flirtatious love song that expresses the singer’s deep affection for his beloved. The song primarily features the refrain “What’s new pussycat” which is repeated multiple times throughout the song. The lyrics “Pussycat, pussycat, I’ve got flowers and lots of hours to spend time with you” are a declaration of love, promising to shower the object of affection with attention and affection. The singer, however, playfully teases his lover to “go and powder your cute little pussycat nose” and “make-up your big little pussycat eyes” , indicating that he admires her beauty and wants her to look her best.
The song further expresses the singer’s physical attraction to his lover by stating “Pussycat, pussycat, you’re delicious, and if my wishes can all come true, I’ll soon be kissing your sweet little pussycat lips, pussycat, pussycat, I love you yes, I do”. The lyrics in this song are simple but effective, conveying the singer’s love and admiration for his lover in a playful and flirtatious way.
Line by Line Meaning
What's new pussycat whoa
What is new, my darling pussycat?
What's new pussycat whoa oh
What has been happening recently, my beloved pussycat?
Pussycat, pussycat, I've got flowers
My dear pussycat, I have brought you some flowers
And lots of hours to spend time with you
I have plenty of time to spend with you, my lovely pussycat
So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose
Please freshen up, my gorgeous pussycat, by powdering your cute little nose
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you yes I do
My dear pussycat, I am deeply in love with you
You and your pussycat nose
I love you with all of your unique and adorable features, including your precious nose
Pussycat, pussycat, you're so thrilling
My dear pussycat, you are such an exciting and fascinating creature
And I'm so willing to care for you
I am ready and eager to take care of you, my dear pussycat
So go and make up your big little pussycat eyes
Please apply some makeup to your beautiful eyes, my precious pussycat
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you yes I do
My dear pussycat, I cannot stress enough how much I love you
You and your pussycat eyes
I adore all of your features, including your wonderful eyes
Pussycat, pussycat, you're delicious
My dearest pussycat, you are absolutely delightful
And if my wishes can all come true
If I could have my every desire fulfilled
I'll soon be kissing your sweet little pussycat lips
I will very soon be kissing your lovely lips, my sweet pussycat
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you yes I do
I cannot emphasize enough how much I love you, my darling pussycat
You and your pussycat eyes whoa
I am absolutely enamored with your eyes, my beloved pussycat
You and your pussycat nose
I love every aspect of you, including your cute little nose, my dear pussycat
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hal David, Burt Bacharach
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josiejo6898
I have this in good condition as a white label... a romantic birthday present from a boyfriend when I was 16 years old... 30 years later I still have it...
@universallanguage59
A friend told me about this one, and my first response was "???!!!" After listening, and realizing it was from the Sixties, we both agreed "why not?". When one compares this to their stuff from the early seventies, the word 'evolution' certainly comes to mind, I.M.H.O....
@floydyopz
Purrrrrfection!
@thecountofbasie
This was in the early '60s...not positive of the year, but perhaps '63-'65...the Wailers were a great harmony group in the ska days
@birdgod5584
I think 1965, that's when the Tom Jones song came out
@lisaborsella5412
Oh my..how awesome. How much I love Bob
@floydyopz
I love it.
@jaimesilva9331
Bob Marley' son, Julian, has made a version of this song, in his last album
@Tripl3Dallas
props for the upload !
@coloradikal
This is fn epic