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)
Sinner Man
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
all along that day
You run to the sea, the sea was a boiling
You run to the sea, the sea was a boiling
You run to the sea, the sea was a boiling
You run to the rock, the rock was a melting
You run to the rock, the rock was a melting
You run to the rock, the rock was a melting
all along the day
Ooh sinner man, where you gonna run to
Ooh sinner man, where you gonna run to
Ooh sinner man, where you gonna run to
Ooh sinner man, where you gonna run to
Run to the lord, lord won't you hide me
You run to the lord, lord won't you hide me
You run to the lord, lord won't you hide me
all along the day
The lord say sinner man, you should be praying
The lord say sinner man, you should be praying
The lord say sinner man, you should be praying
all along the day
You run to the devil, the devil was a waiting
You run to the devil, the devil was a waiting
You run to the devil, the devil was a waiting
all along the day
So I say
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
Ooh sinner man I wanna know where you gonna run to
Ooh sinner man tell me where you gonna run to
all along the day
I wanna know, know, know, know, know
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
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Esteban_2189@hotmail.com
The lyrics to Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Sinner Man" tell the story of a sinner who tries to escape from the consequences of their actions. The repetition of the line "Where you gonna run to?" emphasizes the futility of the sinner's efforts to escape their fate. The first stanza describes the sinner running towards the sea, only to find it boiling, emphasizing the idea that there is nowhere to escape. The second stanza describes the sinner running to a rock, only to find it melting, further emphasizing the idea that there is no escape.
The third stanza suggests that the only solution is to turn to the Lord for help. The sinner asks the Lord to hide them, but the Lord responds that they should be praying instead. This emphasizes the idea that the sinner must confront their actions and seek redemption. The final stanza suggests that there is a temptation to turn to the devil for help, but this is ultimately futile.
Overall, "Sinner Man" is a cautionary tale about the consequences of one's actions and the importance of seeking redemption instead of trying to escape from one's responsibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
Addressing the sinner and questioning where they plan to escape
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
Repeating the question to emphasize the futility of running
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
Asking for a third time as a warning of the impending judgment
all along that day
This judgment will come without reprieve, throughout the entirety of the day
You run to the sea, the sea was a boiling
Escaping to the sea, only to find that it too is in turmoil
You run to the sea, the sea was a boiling
Repeating the failed escape
You run to the sea, the sea was a boiling
Again, emphasizing the sinner's hopeless efforts to escape
all along the day
The futility of the sinner's struggle is prolonged throughout the day
You run to the rock, the rock was a melting
Turning to the rocks, discovering that they too are unstable
You run to the rock, the rock was a melting
Continuation of the failed attempts to escape
You run to the rock, the rock was a melting
Reiterating the previous line's message of futility
Ooh sinner man, where you gonna run to
Returning to the initial warning with a sense of desperation
Ooh sinner man, where you gonna run to
Expressing urgency and pleading with the sinner
Ooh sinner man, where you gonna run to
Final warning, with the message of impossibility reinforced
Run to the lord, lord won't you hide me
A glimmer of hope, turning to the Lord for salvation and protection
You run to the lord, lord won't you hide me
Requesting the Lord's help, and recognizing the need for it
You run to the lord, lord won't you hide me
Repeating the plea for emphasis and reassurance
all along the day
The reassurance that the Lord's protection will endure
The lord say sinner man, you should be praying
The Lord's response, urging the sinner to repent
The lord say sinner man, you should be praying
Repeating the message of repentance, emphasizing the need for it
The lord say sinner man, you should be praying
Reiterating the previous lines, with a sense of urgency
all along the day
The unyielding nature of the Lord's call for repentance, regardless of how long it takes
You run to the devil, the devil was a waiting
Turning to the devil, only to find that they too are inescapable
You run to the devil, the devil was a waiting
Reinforcing the message of futility
You run to the devil, the devil was a waiting
Final reminder of the fruitlessness of running to sin
all along the day
The persistence of temptation and sin throughout the day
So I say
A transition to the conclusion
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
A final plea to the sinner, questioning their final destination
Ooh sinner man I wanna know where you gonna run to
The desperation of needing to know if the sinner will choose salvation or damnation
Ooh sinner man tell me where you gonna run to
The plea for the sinner to reveal their plan, with the implication that it will lead to ruin
all along the day
A final reminder of the unrelenting nature of the judgement and the need for a decision
I wanna know, know, know, know, know
The repetition of the desire for knowledge, with a sense of urgency and desperation
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
Final plea, with a somber tone and a sense of finality
Ooh sinner man where you gonna run to
Closing repeat of the warning and the impossibility of escape
Contributed by Adrian O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@PossumMedic
I don't think it can get much better than Nina Simone's version but still love this one! 🥰
@amauryrea5630
Love it! 👌👌👌
@lucimandala1101
Esto me regresa a el passdo
@zachboo
This one is Peter Tosh & the Wailers, not Bob Marley.
@eliasali4956
Exactly
@vladimirfilho4623
sakura sena in nurse angel, a really good movie
@mvl6827
1964
@thecanoehead
Scariest movie ever sent me here.
@dannyevans8328
whats the flick bro
@Donnygast
Anyone knows this? This has made me curious ^^