Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to t… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to that The Wailing Rudeboys, The Wailing Wailers and The Teenagers) were a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae band. The founding members, in 1963, were Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley), Peter Tosh (Hubert Winston McIntosh), and Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston).

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)

LONESOME TRACK
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Each night I ask, the stars up above
Why must I be a teenager in love
Why must I be a teenager in love
Put me in your milling machine
I never thought you could act so mean
Now I′m wondering what to do
To see if you could love me too
Each night I ask, the stars up above

Why must I be a teenager in love
Why must I be a teenager in love

Each night I ask the stars up above
Why must I be a teenager in love
Why must I be a teenager in love
Though my knees are getting weak
And my brain is getting flatter
Something is near, to tell me it's been badder
I don′t know just what to do
To see if you could love me too
Each night I ask the stars up above

Why must I be a teenager in love
Why must I be a teenager in love

Overall Meaning

The song "Lonesome Track" by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a cover of a song originally performed by Dion and The Belmonts. The lyrics tell the story of a lovelorn teenager who feels unsure about the affections of the person they desire. The singer feels the weight of their youth and inexperience, and wonders why they must go through the pain and confusion of young love.

The imagery in the lyrics is vivid and visceral, using the metaphor of being put into a milling machine to represent the emotional turmoil and confusion that the singer is experiencing. The repetition of the refrain "Why must I be a teenager in love" highlights the sense of frustration and helplessness that comes with being young and in love.

The song is an example of the ska and rocksteady music that was popular in Jamaica in the 1960s. The upbeat rhythm and catchy melody contrast with the melancholy lyrics to create a bittersweet mood that is both energetic and reflective.

Line by Line Meaning

Each night I ask, the stars up above
The singer is questioning the reason for his situation, and he looks to the stars for answers.

Why must I be a teenager in love
The singer is lamenting about the difficulties of young romance and feeling overwhelmed by the intense emotions it brings.

Why must I be a teenager in love
The singer is repeating the same question, emphasizing his frustration and confusion.

Put me in your milling machine
The singer feels used and manipulated, as if he has been put through a mechanical process that has left him feeling broken.

I never thought you could act so mean
The singer is feeling hurt and betrayed by someone he trusted, as they have acted in a way he never expected.

Now I'm wondering what to do
The singer is feeling lost and unsure of how to handle the situation he has found himself in.

To see if you could love me too
Despite the pain and confusion, the singer still hopes that the other person will reciprocate his feelings.

Though my knees are getting weak
The singer is overwhelmed by his emotions and feeling physically and emotionally drained.

And my brain is getting flatter
The singer is struggling to think clearly and logically, as his emotions are clouding his judgment.

Something is near, to tell me it's been badder
The singer senses that things are even worse than he initially believed, and he is anticipating more pain and disappointment.

I don't know just what to do
The singer is admitting his confusion and vulnerability, acknowledging that he is unsure of how to proceed.

To see if you could love me too
Despite everything he has been through, the singer still holds onto hope that the other person will reciprocate his feelings.

Each night I ask, the stars up above
The song returns to its opening lines, emphasizing that the singer is still searching for answers and understanding.

Why must I be a teenager in love
The song ends with the same repeated line, driving home the idea that young love can be painful and confusing.

Why must I be a teenager in love
The final line of the song repeats the same question, highlighting the frustration and angst that comes with young romance.

Writer(s): Bob Marley

Contributed by Riley K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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