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
Wisdom
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But fools die for want of wisdom.
The rich man wealth is in his city;
Do you hear, do you hear, can you understa-and?!
Destruction of the poor, is poverty;
Destruction of the soul, is vanity.
The righteous' wealth is in his Holy Pla-ace.
Those who have eyes, to see will see!
/break/
The rich man wealth is in his city;
Do you hear, do you believe, do you understand?!
Destruction of the poor is poverty.
Destruction of the soul is vanity,
Well hear me children!
The righteous' wealth is in his Holy Pla-ace!
The lyrics of Bob Marley’s song “Wisdom” convey the importance of wisdom, righteousness, and faith in a divided world. The opening lines, “The lips of the righteous teach many, But fools die for want of wisdom,” suggest that those who follow the path of righteousness have more wisdom to share than those who act foolishly. The rich man’s wealth may be in his city, but true wealth lies in a person’s faith and beliefs, as emphasized in the line, “The righteous' wealth is in his Holy Place.” Marley then drives the point home with the repeating chorus, “Do you hear, do you hear, can you understa-and?!” urging listeners to open their ears and hearts to the message he wishes to convey.
Marley then shifts the message towards the destruction caused by poverty and vanity, stating that “Destruction of the poor is poverty, Destruction of the soul is vanity.” This powerful statement suggests that poverty not only affects a person financially but also emotionally, leading to a sort of “soul destruction.” In contrast, those who follow the righteous path and believe have their wealth in a place beyond physical possessions.
The closing lyrics of the song emphasize the importance of being able to see beyond what is superficial, stating, “Those who have eyes, to see will see!” Marley’s message is clear, encouraging his listeners to seek wisdom, righteousness, and faith, and to avoid the destructive effects of wealth that prioritizes vanity and material possessions.
Line by Line Meaning
The lips of the righteous teach many,
Those who are moral and just have valuable teachings to share and can impart wisdom onto others.
But fools die for want of wisdom.
Those who lack wisdom can suffer negative consequences and ultimately meet their demise due to their foolishness.
The rich man wealth is in his city;
Material abundance is often concentrated in urban areas where wealth can buy luxury and comfort.
Do you hear, do you hear, can you understa-and?!
The artist is challenging the listener to listen closely and comprehend the message being conveyed.
Destruction of the poor, is poverty;
When the lives of the impoverished are ruined, it only perpetuates poverty and makes it impossible for them to break free from it.
Destruction of the soul, is vanity.
Materialistic and selfish desires can cause the soul to deteriorate and become hollow, leading to a life lacking in true substance and meaning.
The righteous' wealth is in his Holy Pla-ace.
Those who lead righteous lives and uphold their moral values have spiritual wealth that cannot be achieved through material possessions.
Do you hear?
The artist is calling attention to the importance of truly listening and understanding the message being conveyed.
Those who have eyes, to see will see!
Wise individuals are able to perceive past surface level observations and see the truth in situations.
The rich man wealth is in his city;
This line is repeated to emphasize the message of concentrated wealth in urban areas.
Do you hear, do you believe, do you understand?!
The singer is urging the listener to not only hear and understand but also believe in the message being conveyed.
Destruction of the poor is poverty.
This line is repeated to further emphasize the cyclical nature of poverty and its destructive effects on those who are impoverished.
Destruction of the soul is vanity,
Repeating this line reinforces the message that material obsessions and selfish pursuits can have negative impacts on the soul.
Well hear me children!
This line is a command to listen carefully to the singer's message and take it to heart.
The righteous' wealth is in his Holy Pla-ace!
The repetition of this line serves as a reminder that spiritual wealth is far more valuable than material wealth.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LEE PERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
darren Shane
Lyrics:
The lips of the righteous teach many,
But fools die for want of wisdom.
The rich man wealth is in his city;
Do you hear, do you hear, can you understa-and?!
Destruction of the poor, is poverty;
Destruction of the soul, is vanity.
The righteous' wealth is in his Holy Pla-ace.
Do you hear?
Those who have eyes, to see will see!
/Break/
The rich man wealth is in his city;
Do you hear, do you believe, do you understand?!
Destruction of the poor is poverty.
Destruction of the soul is vanity,
Well hear me children!
The righteous' wealth is in his Holy Pla-ace!
Le Crabe Lunaire
One of the most unknown and underestimated Bob songs. Yet she is in the top of the great bob songs for me
Carlos Jesús Maita
EXTRAORDINARIO, BOB, INFINITAMENTE GENIAL!!!
Alaia vibes
Legends never die Marley FOREVER!
Easton
Haunting Music, that key riff & solo, piano truly heavenly
Leo di Brito
Amém
Essa letra e uma benção
Gratidão
David Benjamin
Por favor Alguém pode me dá as notas desta linda canção, procurei na net e não achei alguém sabe por favor me ajuda.
Creative Flo Adventures
Always loved this version. Peace and love who have the eyes to see and ears to hear .
Van Odyssey
This tune permeates my mind, body and soul.
MikhaEl IRIE
Wow. Bob Marley is a Prophet. So much can be RELEARNED from Bob Marley. YAH/JAH BLESS EVERYONE LISTENING TO THIS SONG AND BLESSINGS TO EVERYONE AND EVERY RACE AND EVERY BEING ACROSS THE WORLD AND THE GALAXY. ONE LOVE ONE PEACE ONE DREAM
dpgoldengate
“Those who have eyes to see will see” My Lord! That says so much! Yes Bob, I hear, I believe and I understand! Thank you, Star!