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)
Head Corner Stone
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
that the builder rejects has a deeper philosophy that goes beyond just the literal interpretation of construction. The message behind the lyrics is that not everything that is rejected or seen as lesser has no value, and sometimes things that are not accepted have great potential and should be given a chance. This can be applied to people, ideas or cultures that often face discrimination or exclusion. In this sense, the message of the song is about acceptance and seeking the value in what others may overlook.
The repetition of the line "The stone that the builder refuse will always be the head cornerstone" emphasizes the importance of the message and the idea that the unjustly rejected will eventually rise to be the foundation or the most important part of something. Bob Marley also adds the line "Do you hear me? Hear what I say!" which implies that he is not just delivering a message but urging people to listen and act accordingly.
The use of the word "stone" as a symbol in the song is notable as well. In biblical times, stone was important in building and was viewed as a metaphorical symbol for salvation and strength. Bob Marley may have employed the use of the term to reflect the spiritual beliefs and cultural significance of his Rastafarian faith.
Line by Line Meaning
The stone that the builder refuse
The object rejected by those constructing something
Will always be the head cornerstone - a sing it brother
This rejected object will ultimately become the most important part of the final product
You're a builder, baby
Addressing those who have the power to include or exclude certain elements in a project
Here I am, a stone
The object being presented as an option for inclusion
Don't you pick and refuse me
Requesting to be given a fair chance
'Cause the things people refuse
Often times, rejected objects or ideas have potential
Are the things they should choose
Instead of rejecting these options without considering their value, they should be used
Do you hear me? Hear what I say!
Emphasizing the importance of this message
Here I am baby. I am, a builder's stone!
Reiterating that the object can add value to the project if given the chance
The tings people refuse
The objects or ideas rejected by others
Are the things they should use
These options should be reconsidered and implemented
Do you hear me. Hear what I say!
Another call to action to give rejected options a chance
The stone that the builder refuse
Once again emphasizing the importance of the rejected object
Will always be the head cornerstone
This rejected option will become the most important aspect of the final product
The stone that dem builder refuse
Using Jamaican patois to repeat the message
Will always be the head cornerstone
Reiterating the message one final time
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley
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