During 1970 and 1971, Wailer, Marley and Tosh worked with renowned reggae producers Leslie Kong and Lee "Scratch" Perry.
They released four albums before signing to Island Records in 1972. Two more albums were created before Tosh and Wailer left the band in 1974, citing grievances over label treatment and ideological differences. Marley carried on with a new line-up, including the I-Threes that put out seven more more albums. Marley died in 1981.
The Wailers were a groundbreaking ska and reggae group, noted for songs such as "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", "War", "Stir It Up" and "Get Up, Stand Up".
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers
Studio albums
The Wailing Wailers (1965)
The Best of the Wailers (1970; released 1971)
Soul Rebels (1970)
Soul Revolution Part II (1971)
Catch a Fire (1973)
Burnin' (1973)
Natty Dread (1974)
Rastaman Vibration (1976)
Exodus (1977)
Kaya (1978)
Survival (1979)
Uprising (1980)
Confrontation (1983)
Corners Stone Version
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will always be the head cornerstone-a sing it brother
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
You're a builder, baby
Here I am, a stone
Don't you pick and refuse me
Are the things they should choose
Do you hear me?
Hear what I say!
Stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone-a tell me why
The stone that the builder refuse, yeah!
Will always be the head cornerstone
Here I am baby
I am, a builder's stone!
Don't you pick and refuse me, listen
The tings people refuse
Are the things they should use
Do you hear me
Hear what I say
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone that dem builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone that the builder refuse
Will always be the head cornerstone
The stone
Cornerstone by Bob Marley is a powerful song that comments on the societal tendency to reject individuals, particularly those who are deemed unimportant or inferior by those in power. The lyrics in the chorus, "The stone that the builder refuse, will always be the head cornerstone," relay a message of empowerment, urging those who have been rejected to recognize their innate worth and ability to rise above their circumstances. The line "Don't you pick and refuse me, 'cause the things people refuse are the things they should choose," highlights the idea that those who are cast aside often possess unique perspectives and abilities that can ultimately lead them to greatness.
Throughout the song, Marley employs vivid imagery and metaphors that serve to enhance the theme of the chorus. By labeling himself a "builder's stone," Marley aligns himself with those who have been rejected, while also acknowledging his inherent value. The repetition of the phrase "here I am" further emphasizes his presence and worth in spite of the rejection he has faced.
Overall, the message of Cornerstone is one of resilience and self-worth. It urges listeners to recognize their own value and refuse to be defined by the judgments of others.
Line by Line Meaning
The stone that the builder refuse
The material that builders reject
Will always be the head cornerstone- a sing it brother
Is destined to become the most important part of the structure
You're a builder, baby
You have the power to create and shape things
Here I am, a stone
I am an essential component
Don't you pick and refuse me
Don't reject me
'Cause the things people refuse
Because the very things people reject
Are the things they should choose
Are actually the most valuable and important
Do you hear me?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Stone that the builder refuse
Unwanted building material
Will always be the head cornerstone- a tell me why
Will always become the most important part of the structure, but can you explain why?
Here I am baby
I am here, ready to be used
I am, a builder's stone!
I am a necessary building material
Don't you pick and refuse me, listen
Don't reject me, pay attention
The tings people refuse
The things people reject
Are the things they should use
Are actually the most important things
Do you hear me
Do you understand my message?
The stone that the builder refuse
The unwanted building material
Will always be the head cornerstone
Will become the most important part of the structure
The stone that dem builder refuse
The stone that the builders reject
Will always be the head cornerstone
Will become the most important part of the structure
The stone that the builder refuse
The material that builders reject
Will always be the head cornerstone
Will become the most important part of the structure
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER TOSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cdgs7793
Bob Marley was rejected by his white Marley family because he was half black/half white.
Not a 100% white Marley as they all were.
There for, he made this song. I love it but it also hurts.
His halfsister listened to this song with an interviewer and said "where are the white Marley's now? Nobody remembers who they were, what they had and what they did.
(He went there to ask for a car to bring his music around. They used a bicycle but became famous in whole Jamaica. Radio stations didn't play the Wailers. Those radios stations belonged to record labels and weren't allowed to play their music. So they needed to borrow a car to spread their music)
They refused him a car because they refused HIM as a family member.
His half sister said "how true this song is. The world only knows the black Marleys and there are a lot of black Marleys because of him".
Bob became and still is 'the head cornerstone' of the Marleys.
His white second Marley cousin knew this song, but didn't know the what Marley was telling here. About the car and how the white Marley's refused him because he was a half breed. Black/white. (Don't refuse me)
Man, how that had to hurt Bob.
I bet, that the white Marley's will tell that BOB is family/related after he became that famous and adored around the whole world by black and white ppl. Bob didn't make himself. He was human, had red blood and a heart where the white Marleys stepped on very hard.
ONE LOVE ❣ love you BOB Marley.
@alexrrios
it's awesome to learn that the song was written about Bob being the stone, and his father was the builder who refused Bob Marley when he was a child, and now Bob is the head Cornerstone of the family and not his father, awesome
@giorgikhurtsidze3809
Alejandro Rios he wanted to get job in there but his father refused So he right song cornersone after this he moved in usa with her mom :) he was geniuses <3
@DonTeridon
Ye his fathers brother refused him...
It seems like his father was traveling around humping left and right
@TaongGreasy
Bob marley wrote this song about his uncle's who refuse him because of him being black but now people around the world know marleys and all of them is black ❤️
@askyalumumba3573
Bob took complete ownership of the last name " Marley ". This man was a visionary.
@scott8168
He went to borrow money from uncle who had business and they said no that's why wrote song
@jashkicks9821
Listening to this in 2024
@Khandi05
it wasnt his father's refusal.....his dad was dead by this time. he went to his father's family at a construction company they owed to get money to buy a car and they refused to believe that norval had a black son even though he looks EXACTLY like all of them. I love this song! I play it over and over! they refused him, but he's the reason that the Marley name will forever be in history. Jah bless Nesta!
@ChovitoHot
Facts
@chevking4127
That’s what I heard