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)
Memphis
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, oh op-bo, bo, bo-bo-bo!
Yes, me friend, me friend,
Them set me free again
Yes, me friend, me friend,
Me deh 'pon street again
The bars could not hold me
They try to keep me down,
But God put me around
Yes, I've been accused,
Wrongly abused, now
But through the powers of the Most-'Igh,
They've got to turn me loose, mm!
(Brr) Don't try (brr)
To cold me up (brr)
On this (brr) bridge now
I've got to reach Mount Zion
The 'ighest region
(Brr) If you bull-bucka,
Let me tell you that
I'm a duppy conqueror, conqueror
Yes, me friend, me good friend,
Them set me free again, mm
Yes, me friend,
Them turn me loose again
(Brr) Don't try (brr)
To cold me up on (brr)
This (brr) bridge now
I've got to reach Mount Zion
The 'ighest region
(Brr) If you bull-bucka,
Let me tell you
I'm a duppy conqueror, hit it! (conqueror)
(Yes, me friend,) me friend, me friend, me friend,
We deh a street again
Yes, me friend, me friend, me friend,
Dem set me free again
Dem set me free again
Don't try to show off
Fi make you friend dem laugh, what a la-la!
For I will cut you off
And I will have the last laugh
I'm cryin'! Yes, me friend,
We deh a street again, yea-eah
Yes, me friend, me friend, me friend,
(Dem set me free again.)
Oh-oh-ooh, yeah mm-mm
Bars could not hold me
The song Memphis by Bob Marley is a story of triumph over adversity. The lyrics recount the singer’s imprisonment and subsequent release, thanks to divine intervention. The chorus, “Yes, me friend, me friend, them set me free again,” highlights the importance of friendship and community in difficult times. The singer refuses to be held down by the laws or social expectations of his oppressors, instead relying on his inner strength and faith to guide him. The use of patois, such as “op-bo, bo, bo-bo-bo,” adds a distinctly Jamaican flavor to the song and emphasizes the singer’s perseverance in the face of adversity.
The second verse reinforces the singer’s determination to move forward and achieve his goals, despite opposition. When he sings, “If you bull-bucka, let me tell you that I’m a duppy conqueror,” he is asserting his dominance over those who would try to hold him back. The term “duppy” refers to a ghost in Jamaican folklore, and the conqueror is someone who has overcome their obstacles to reach their destination. The narrative is drawn to a close with repeated phrases of “dem set me free again” and “bars could not hold me,” signifying the singer’s ultimate triumph.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh op-bo, bo, bo-bo-bo!
Expressing upbeat energy and excitement
Yes, me friend, me friend, Them set me free again
Bob Marley is grateful to his friend for helping him escape from prison
Yes, me friend, me friend, Me deh 'pon street again
Bob Marley is happy to be back on the street again after being in prison
The bars could not hold me
Bob Marley feels he is too powerful to be contained by physical barriers
Force could not control me now
Bob Marley believes he is strong enough to overcome any obstacles thrown his way
They try to keep me down, But God put me around
Bob Marley feels that no matter what others do, God will always guide him in the right direction
Yes, I've been accused, Wrongly abused, now
Bob Marley has been victimized and treated unfairly by others
But through the powers of the Most-'Igh, They've got to turn me loose, mm!
Bob Marley believes that God's power will ultimately lead to his freedom from unjust accusations
I've got to reach Mount Zion The 'ighest region
Bob Marley seeks to reach a state of spiritual enlightenment and salvation
If you bull-bucka, Let me tell you that I'm a duppy conqueror, conqueror
Bob Marley asserts that he is a conqueror who will overcome any negative forces or people who try to bring him down
(Yes, me friend,) me friend, me friend, me friend, We deh a street again
Bob Marley expresses gratitude towards his friend
Don't try to show off For I will cut you off And I will have the last laugh
Bob Marley warns people not to try to deceive him or act superior, as he is capable of cutting them off and coming out on top
I'm cryin'! Yes, me friend, We deh a street again, yea-eah
Bob Marley is emotional and happy to be reunited with his friend on the street
Oh-oh-ooh, yeah mm-mm Bars could not hold me
Reiterating Bob Marley's belief that he cannot be contained or restrained by physical barriers
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jose Duarte
Massa esse som fica na mente
Chris Marley
Quero conhecer a Jamaicaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 💚💛❤️🇧🇷🇯🇲
Antilusion69'
yo te llevo algun dia ;)
Ziplok
Salute Bob Marley!
Al.D
What’s the original song ?
Big Ben
I believe it’s just a instrumental
Antilusion69'
is that augustus pablo' on wind instrument? tubby¿?
jairomague
Is Peter Tosh on melodica
The American Storyteller
@jairomague Funny you should ask, this was recorded around the same time Augustus Pablo was making his first recordings "Iggy Iggy" and "Java" on the Melodica. Peter would also play the Melodica on "Sun is Shining."