Bad Card
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You a-go tired to see me face
Can't get me out of the race
Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
And then you draw bad card
A-make you draw bad card
And then you draw bad card

Propaganda spreading over my name
Say you want to bring another life to shame
Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
And then you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card

I want to disturb my neighbour
'Cause I'm feelin' so right
I want to turn up my disco
Blow them to full watts tonight, eh
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style

'Cause we guarding the palace so majestic
Guarding the palace so realistic

Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah)
Me say them can't get we out of the race
Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves)
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card




In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style

Overall Meaning

Bob Marley & The Wailers's "Bad Card" is a powerful song that addresses the issue of propaganda and the impact it can have on an individual's reputation. The song begins by stating that no matter how hard the singer tries to compete, the system is rigged against them. They are constantly being drawn a "bad card," which means that the odds are always against them. The song then shifts to address the issue of propaganda, specifically people spreading rumors about the singer to damage their reputation. But the singer is confident that they will overcome such challenges and continue to guard their palace (their reputation).


The song suggests that the use of propaganda is a tool used by those in power to bring down those who challenge the status quo. The theme of power runs through the song, and Marley is putting the system and those who use propaganda under scrutiny. The last part of the song is an ode to the rub-a-dub dancehall style, which was very popular in the 80s, and the singer wants to disturb their neighbors with this style of music.


Overall, "Bad Card" is a commentary on the power dynamics within society and how the system can be rigged against those who dare to question it. It is an example of Bob Marley & The Wailers's ability to create powerful songs that not only entertain but also provide socio-political commentary.


Line by Line Meaning

You a-go tired to see me face
You don't want to see me anymore, you're getting sick of looking at me


Can't get me out of the race
You can't seem to get rid of me or beat me in this competition


Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
You're saying that I'm taking your spot, you're not happy about it


And then you draw bad card
Your luck runs out and something bad happens to you


Propaganda spreading over my name
People are spreading rumors and lies about me


Say you want to bring another life to shame
You want to embarrass or humiliate someone else


Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
You're not serious, you're just messing around and causing trouble


And then you draw bad card (draw bad card)
Your actions or words lead to negative consequences for you


I want to disturb my neighbour
I want to be loud and make noise to annoy my neighbor


'Cause I'm feelin' so right
I'm feeling good and want to celebrate by being loud


I want to turn up my disco
I want to play my music really loudly


Blow them to full watts tonight, eh
I want to turn my amplifier up to maximum power


In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
In a style of reggae music that involves dancing and having fun


Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah)
People are getting tired of seeing us because we're always around


Me say them can't get we out of the race
They can't beat us, we're too good


Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace
You're making a fool of yourself, it's embarrassing


The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
You keep making the wrong choices and it's catching up with you


The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves)
You keep making the wrong decisions


A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
Your bad luck keeps getting worse


In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style
Let's have some fun and dance to the reggae beat




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tiagotriga

Lyric
You a-go tired to see me face
Can't get me out of the race
Oh, man, you said I'm in your place
And then you draw bad card
A-make you draw bad card
And then you draw bad card

Propaganda spreading over my name
Say you want to bring another life to shame
Oh, man, you just a-playing a game
And then you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card

I want to disturb my neighbour
'Cause I'm feelin' so right
I want to turn up my disco
Blow them to full watts tonight, eh
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style, in a rub-a-dub style

'Cause we guarding the palace so majestic
Guarding the palace so realistic

Them a-go tired to see we face (oh yeah)
Me say them can't get we out of the race
Oh, man, it's just a big disgrace
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
The way you make wrong moves (make wrong moves)
The way you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card (draw bad card)
A-make you draw bad card
In a rub-a-dub style, rub-a-dub style
In a rub-a-dub style



All comments from YouTube:

@westyraviz

This is another song of encouragement in the face of adversity. This is a direct rebuke to the enemy. Despite all their shenanigans and plots to undermine you, yet you’re still there, no matter what. It’s a spiritual song that affirms your faith and resilience when you’re under assault by negative forces.

@positivefrequencies9229

I love this comment truly your talking the truth

@faithmorningministry808

Amen!

@FantasmaOlvidado1

Fuck yeah 😎 ❤️‍🔥🤘

@ericbaira-milos4717

Amen to that 🙏🌈👑🎵

@felicerosser5400

10 More Replies...

@dortmunderkelp1704

Ok, bad card came out some 40 years ago, I've played it more times than I can count, but it still hits good every damn time. There really are no words to describe Bob Marley 🔥❤️🔥❤️

@kelbatt7729

In New Zealand he's called uncle Bob, popularity has never waned

@dortmunderkelp1704

@@kelbatt7729 Cool, Bob deserves that. The man didn't even make a single bad (unintentional pun) song.

@carleeinternational5090

This is too much for my soul. What purity! What authenticity! What passion! Bob is definitely one of the very few people on earth who experience FREEDOM as a tangible thing. Only a free soul can produce such soothing sound. The entire song is literally penetrating my bones. I can't even express the power of this song. Bob is a DEEP human.

More Comments

More Versions