Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley whic… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981), born Nesta Robert Marley which was later to be changed by passport officials to Robert Nesta Marley, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. He was the most widely known writer and performer of Reggae, and more specifically Roots Reggae. He is famous for popularising the genre outside of Jamaica and the Caribbean. Much of his music dealt with the struggles of the spiritually wealthy rasta and/or spiritually powerful Jah Rastafari.

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 Am I Supposed To Do
Bob Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?

You're jumping 'round like a lamb
Just because you put me in [Incomprehensible]
And I'll live my life the way that I want

But I just got to hold you and it's a sin to talk so

What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?

I will send for you and you make me feel so blue
Little dear, what do you want me to do?
[Incomprehensible] just to see me through
But I can't say that I'm keen and so blue so, yeah

What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?

Now you're jumping 'round like a lamb
Just because you take me in [Incomprehensible]
And I'll live my life the way that I want
But I just gone through love and it is here to talk, so

What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bob Marley's song "What Am I Supposed To Do" appear to be a plea for love and understanding from a partner who seems emotionally unstable. The singer is trying to understand what they can do to win their love, but it seems like an impossible task. The partner is "jumping 'round like a lamb" and seems to be sending mixed signals. The singer is frustrated and confused, unsure of how to move forward.

The repeated phrases of "What am I to do, my dear? So that I may win your love?" highlight the desperation and confusion of the singer. It's as if they are pleading for just a small bit of clarity from their partner. The reference to it being a "sin to talk so" suggests that there may be communication issues between the two. Perhaps the partner is not communicating their needs clearly or is avoiding conversation altogether.

Overall, the lyrics to "What Am I Supposed To Do" paint a picture of a frustrating and confusing relationship. The singer is left feeling powerless and unsure of how to proceed. It's a relatable sentiment for anyone who has ever struggled with communication or understanding in a relationship.

Line by Line Meaning

What am I to do, my dear
Bob Marley is questioning what actions he can take in order to win the love of the person he is addressing.

So that I may win your love?
He wants to know what specifically he can do to gain their love and affection.

You're jumping 'round like a lamb
The person he is addressing is acting giddy and erratic, compares them to a lamb jumping around.

Just because you put me in [Incomprehensible]
The person he is addressing has put him in a difficult and confusing situation.

And I'll live my life the way that I want
Bob Marley is asserting his autonomy and independence.

But I just got to hold you and it's a sin to talk so
Despite wanting to assert his independence, he still desires and loves the person he is speaking to.

I will send for you and you make me feel so blue
The person he is addressing makes him feel sad and depressed, but he is still trying to reach out to them.

Little dear, what do you want me to do?
Bob Marley is once again asking the person he is addressing what specific actions he can take to gain their love.

[Incomprehensible] just to see me through
Bob Marley is willing to do whatever it takes to win over this person's love, including unclear actions.

But I can't say that I'm keen and so blue so, yeah
Despite his willingness to do whatever it takes, he is still struggling with his own emotions about the situation.

Now you're jumping 'round like a lamb
This line is repeated to further emphasize the person's erratic and giddy behavior.

Just because you take me in [Incomprehensible]
This line is repeated to further emphasize the person's role in causing Bob Marley confusion and difficulty.

But I just gone through love and it is here to talk, so
Despite his frustration, he still finds love to be something worth talking about and working towards.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Idali Vera

7y↑5

Who can help me with a few INCOMPREHENSIBLE words in the lyrics?

What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?
What am I to do, my dear
So that I may win your love?

You're jumping 'round like a lamb
Just because you put me in [???????]
And I'll live my life the way that I want
But I just got to hold you and it's a sin to talk so

"

I will send for you and you make me feel so blue
Little dear, what do you want me to do?
[???????????] just to see me through
But I can't say that I'm keen and so blue so, yeah

"

Now you're jumping 'round like a lamb
Just because you take me in [??????????????????]
And I'll live my life the way that I want
But I just gone through love and it is here to talk, so