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
comma comma
Bob Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My-y young lady;
Comma, comma, come back here,
My-y lady, yeah!
Just while I thought
Everything was running smooth,
She left me
Now I'm cryin'
But my world is relying
Comma, comma, come back here,
My-y young lady, yeah!
Comma, comma, come back here,
My-y lady!
Just while I thought
Everything was running smooth,
She left me
While I was in the mood.
Now I'm cryin'
But my world is relying
Comma, comma, come back here,
My-y young lady, yeah!
Comma, comma, come back here,
My-y young lady!
Comma, comma, come back here,
My-y young lady, yeah!
Comma, comma, come back here,
My-y young lady!
The lyrics of Bob Marley's song "Comma Comma" speak about a man who is pleading for his lady love to return to him. The use of commas in the chorus gives the song a playful and fun vibe. The repetition of the phrase "my young lady" and "my lady" shows how much the singer values his relationship with the lady and how much he misses her.
The verse talks about how everything was running smoothly until she left him while he was in the mood. This line suggests that he was expecting intimacy or closeness with her, but she left him feeling let down and vulnerable. He is now crying and missing her. This song conveys the universal theme of love and loss, which is relatable to anyone who has experienced a heartbreak.
The upbeat tempo of the song contrasts with the sad lyrics, showcasing how music can convey emotions and tell stories in different ways. The repeated phrase "comma, comma" adds a fun and light element to the song, making it easy to sing along and dance to. Overall, "Comma Comma" is a catchy and fun song that deals with the universal themes of love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Comma, comma, come back here, my-y young lady;
Bob Marley is pleading with his lover to return to him, using the repetition of 'comma, comma' to emphasize his desperation and urgency.
Comma, comma, come back here, my-y lady, yeah!
Bob Marley continues to plead with his lover, adding the word 'yeah' for emphasis and emotional intensity.
Just while I thought everything was running smooth,
Bob Marley had been feeling content and happy in his relationship before his lover left him.
She left me while I was in the mood.
Bob Marley's lover chose to end the relationship while he was feeling emotionally vulnerable and invested in it.
Now I'm cryin', but my world is relying
Bob Marley is heartbroken and upset, but he still feels like his world is dependent on his lover coming back to him.
Comma, comma, come back here, my-y young lady, yeah!
Bob Marley repeats his plea for his lover to return, adding the word 'yeah' again for emotional intensity.
Comma, comma, come back here, my-y young lady!
Bob Marley's repetition of the phrase 'come back here, my-y young lady' reinforces his desperation and longing for his lover to return.
Comma, comma, come back here, my-y young lady, yeah!
Bob Marley continues to repeat his plea for his lover to return, adding the word 'yeah' once again.
Comma, comma, come back here, my-y young lady!
Bob Marley's final repetition of his plea emphasizes the depth of his desire for his lover to come back to him.
Writer(s): Bob Marley
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
94WA1PAHU
could you imagine how the world would be like if bob was still around?
steelers13ab
They don’t wanna see us win! 😂
Jane Q
Since I was 14 years I have loved his music , this one is a favorite
Camel747
This was first released on the compilation album called 'songs of freedom', and is part of a 6-minute medley. As far as I can recall, this is Bob teaching some of his stuff to a fellow musician he was working with. I believe it was somewhere in Europe. It's all in the booklet that I can't find right now...
Jacob Vidjeskog
It might have been recorded in Sweden. Bob came over here once upon a time :) Bless
Dubthedirector
Great I Feel BoB Most in This Acustic song< u can really here what a great voice he had.
Gonzalo Tofanari
Long live the king bob marley
rgbay3000
Thanks for posting. Really nice melody.
Ali Khalid
Damn rare records started to get out.. 👌🏽
joão
My fave song of him