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)
Hammer
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A-won't let go
Holdin' me
Won't let go!
I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
To hammer them down!
I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
They just keep teasin' me
And, you know, they play like they don't know
Provokin me
But this is all I know
I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
To ram them down!
I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
To hammer them down!
Wee-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Oh, I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
To ram-a them-a down!
Oh, I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
To hammer them down!
Said, I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
To ram-a them down!
I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
To hammer them down!
Holdin' me (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Won't let go (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Holdin' me (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Won't let go (ooh-ooh-ooh)
I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
To ram-a them down!
I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
To hammer them down!
(I need a rammer)
I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
To hammer them down!
I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
To ram them down!
I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
To hammer them down!
I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
To ram them down!
The lyrics of "Hammer" by Bob Marley & The Wailers seem to be discussing the feeling of being oppressed or held back by others, with the repeated line "holdin' me, won't let go" indicating that the subject is facing some sort of obstacle or challenge that they cannot escape. The lines "they just keep teasin' me, and you know they play like they don't know" imply that the challenge the subject is facing may not be intentional or malicious, but still poses a significant problem. It is in response to this challenge that the subject exclaims "I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, to hammer them down!" and "I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, to ram them down!" -- the subject feels the need for tools or methods to overcome this obstacle and keep moving forward.
Overall, the themes of "Hammer" may be interpreted as being about resilience, determination, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The repeated use of the hammers and rammers can be seen as symbols of the subject's strength and power to push through whatever is holding them back, and the chorus's continued emphasis on these tools reinforces this idea.
Line by Line Meaning
They just keep holdin' me
I feel trapped and unable to move forward because of the people holding me back.
A-won't let go
I cannot escape their grasp.
Holdin' me
Keeping me from progressing.
Won't let go!
Refusing to release me from their clutches.
I need a hammer, a hammer, a hammer, a hammer
I require a tool to break free from my oppressors.
To hammer them down!
I need to use force to subdue and overpower those holding me back.
I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
I require a powerful tool to forcefully push aside any obstacles in my path.
To ram them down!
I need to use force to overcome any barriers hindering my progress.
They just keep teasin' me
I feel like I am being mocked and provoked by those holding me back.
And, you know, they play like they don't know
They pretend to be ignorant of the harm they are causing me.
Provokin me
They are purposely trying to get a rise out of me and agitate me.
But this is all I know
My only option is to use force to break free from their hold and overcome their teasing.
Wee-ooh-ooh
A rhythmic vocalization in the song.
Ooh-ooh-ooh
A rhythmic vocalization in the song.
Oh, I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
A repetition of the previous verse.
To ram-a them-a down!
A repetition of the previous verse.
Said, I need a rammer, a rammer, a rammer, a rammer
A repetition of the previous verse.
To ram-a them down!
A repetition of the previous verse.
Holdin' me (ooh-ooh-ooh)
A repetition of the previous verse.
Won't let go (ooh-ooh-ooh)
A repetition of the previous verse.
(I need a rammer)
A repetition of the chorus, expressing the urgency of needing the tool to break free.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@visualrhythm9101
Brooooo I have been searching this song for frkn 13 years 😭😭😭 never knew it was from Bob Marley it takes me back to childhood memories where I got injured from a ski trip in Italy. I fell and tumbled down on a snow mountain and listened to this on repeat in a taxi.
@turuff7114
Better late than never😉
@jonhyklagenberg2341
Mano que cabuloso
@RaoulDukeSr
I thought it was liberace..lol
@IIA1986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLZg3Tg9wG4
@gcinumndenithedonmixologis850
And I just found it today I mean it's been like the same years last I heard this was when my mom drove me to school and that was primary school
@ShitJitsu
i love this track its like a mantra for when fools get on my nerves....i knock them down without lifting a hand....god bless mr marley:)
@acizo1000
I feel the some way to 💯💯💯💯
@steveo5611
i’m a mechanic and my favorite tool is my 3 lb hammer. every time I gotta beat something loose like a seized brake rotor on a hub this song always plays in my head
@finnafishfl
Id like you to work on my car