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
Why Should I
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why should I bend down my head and cry?
The old world has ended (who's got the whole world now)
The new world has just begun
And all them people that live therein (still in the new world now)
Shall live on and on.
One more thing:
Got to get what I need
Got to get what I want
Got to get what I need
Got to get what I want
Got to get satisfaction
Got to get the action
Got love and affection
One more thing:
Once there was two roads before us (who's got the whole world now)
To pick our choice
But good has overcome bad
The sheep has heard their master's voice
So tell me why:
Why should I bend down my head and cry?
No reason why
Why should I bend down my head and cry?
Got to move, got to groove
Got to get what I want, what did you say?
Got to get it
Got to get what I need
Got to get what I want
Like I say, got to get it
Got to get what I need...satisfaction
The old world has ended (who's got the whole world now)
The new world has just begun
And all them people that live therein (still in the new world now)
Shall live on and on
One more thing:
Why should I bend down my head and cry?
My father is a king
Why should I bend down my head and cry?
All the riches in the earth
So tell me why
Why should I bend down my head and cry?
The lyrics "Why should I bend down my head and cry?" from Bob Marley & The Wailers's song "Why Should I" convey a message of hope, self-determination, and resilience in times of adversity. The lyrics suggest that despite the challenges and struggles, there is no reason to despair or give up. Instead, the singer emphasizes the importance of getting what one needs and wants, striving for satisfaction, action, and love and affection. The song encourages the listener to move forward, groove, and embrace the new world that has just begun.
The lines "The old world has ended, the new world has just begun" reflect the idea that change can be an opportunity for growth, progress, and renewal, and that one must adapt to survive. The decision to choose good over evil (or bad) represents the power of choice and suggests the importance of making ethical decisions. The reference to the father being a king and all the riches in the earth is a message of self-confidence, pride, and self-worth.
Overall, the lyrics to "Why Should I" are an affirmation of the human spirit's ability to overcome challenges and find meaning in life, despite unfair circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Why should I bend down my head and cry?
Questioning the need to be sad and mournful
The old world has ended (who's got the whole world now)
The past is gone and it's time for a new era
The new world has just begun
The present and future hold new opportunities
And all them people that live therein (still in the new world now)
Everyone living in the new world has a chance
Shall live on and on.
There's hope for a bright future
Got to get what I need
Must obtain necessities for survival
Got to get what I want
Must strive for personal goals and desires
Got to get satisfaction
Need for fulfillment and happiness
Got to get the action
Need to take steps to achieve goals
Got love and affection
Desire for companionship and emotional connection
Once there was two roads before us (who's got the whole world now)
Faced with a decision between good and bad
To pick our choice
Had to make a decision
But good has overcome bad
Chose the better path
The sheep has heard their master's voice
Chose to follow a wise leader
No reason why
No justification for sadness
Got to move, got to groove
Must keep going and find joy in life
Like I say, got to get it
Reiterating the importance of obtaining what's needed
My father is a king
Referring to a higher power and sense of security
All the riches in the earth
Having abundance and wealth
So tell me why
Asking for a reason to feel sad
Contributed by William B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nazım Yılmaz
on No Woman No Cry
el hombre de mundo
JANGLA WISE
on Three Little Birds
Give thanks and Praise's
Juan Carlos Garcia
on Stir It Up
muy buena musica
Shaft Abdou
on One Love
on love
Felix CM
on Ganjah Gun
:)
Felix CM
on Stir It Up
ganjah gan
Assamoi Junior
on One Love
One love Bob marley
Assamoi Junior
on Waiting In Vain
Cool man
Faisal Alowais
on Stir It Up
best song owwwwwwwwwwwwwwww owy
Ca Sperez
on Stir It Up
muy buena rola