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)
Talkin'
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too (doo-oo-oo-oo-oo!)
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too yeah!
I'm saying: talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
Your feet is just too big for your shoes (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Yeah, I've been down on the rock for so long, (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
I've been down on the rock for so long (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
But-a I I'm gonna stare in the sun
Let the rays shine in my eyes
I I'm a gonna take a just-a one step more
Cause I feel like bombin' a church
Now now that you know that the preacher is lyin'
So who's gonna stay at home
When when the freedom fighters are fighting?
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes, woe-oh-oh-oh!
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), keep on talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
They say you hear what they say
Didn't you hear?
Cold ground was my bed (bed last night)
Rockstone rockstone rockstone was my pillow
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too
Sayin' (talkin' blues, talkin' blues)
I seem to wear a permanent screw permanent screw
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
Feet is just too big for your shoes (Shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
In "Talkin' Blues," Bob Marley sings about his hardships and struggles, tumultuous existence, and the hypocrisy of the Church that claims to preach righteousness and peace, yet oppresses people. The song opens with Marley describing how he had to sleep on the cold ground with a rock as a pillow. He then uses his signature wailing vocals to sing about talkin' blues, which represents his emotions pouring out of him, leading to his contradictory behavior. Marley acknowledges that people around him criticize his choices and his personality, suggesting that his feet are too big for his shoes. In other words, he is different from the rest and doesn't fit into their frame of reference. But he also sings about the freedom fighters and their cause, not wanting to be excluded and wanting to contribute somehow.
Throughout the song, Marley plays with notions of self-doubt and misdirection to channel his anger and frustration into music. The line "I seem to wear a permanent screw" implies that he is feeling a bit unhinged and is not sure what to do. However, he then acknowledges that he will "stare in the sun" and "take just-a one step more" despite not knowing where he is going. He closes the song by talking about how his bed last night was still the cold ground with a rock as a pillow.
Overall, "Talkin' Blues" speaks to the human experience of feeling lost, out of place, and caught between the need to belong and the desire to break free. Marley's lyrics showcase his mastery of capturing the essence of the human condition and infusing it with his unique brand of reggae.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
I had to sleep on the cold, hard ground last night as I had nowhere else to go.
And rock was my pillow, too (doo-oo-oo-oo-oo!)
I used a rock as a substitute for a pillow, despite the obvious discomfort.
I'm saying: talkin' blues (talkin' blues)
I'm using the format of talkin' blues music to express my thoughts and feelings.
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
People judge and criticize others based on superficial characteristics that have no bearing on their abilities or character.
Your feet is just too big for your shoes (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
People will always find something to criticize - even if it's silly or irrelevant.
I've been down on the rock for so long (so long)
I've been in a difficult situation for a long time and am starting to feel helpless.
I seem to wear a permanent screw (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
I'm starting to feel bitter and cynical due to my ongoing hardships and struggles.
But-a I I'm gonna stare in the sun
Despite everything, I'm going to remain optimistic and hopeful for the future.
Let the rays shine in my eyes
I'm going to embrace life and all of its opportunities, no matter how bright or challenging they may seem.
I I'm a gonna take a just-a one step more
I'm going to push myself to take risks and take steps towards my goals, even if it's scary or difficult.
Cause I feel like bombin' a church
I'm frustrated with the way things are and feel like something drastic needs to happen to create change.
Now now that you know that the preacher is lyin'
I'm calling out hypocrisy and dishonesty in those who have power and influence over others.
So who's gonna stay at home
I'm challenging everyone to take action and become involved in creating change in the world.
When when the freedom fighters are fighting?
We all have a responsibility to support those who are fighting for justice and freedom.
They say you hear what they say, didn't you hear?
Even when people try to silence or dismiss our voices, we must keep speaking out and pushing for change.
Rockstone rockstone rockstone was my pillow
I had to make do with whatever resources were available to me, even if they were uncomfortable or inadequate.
Feet is just too big for your shoes (Shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
People will always find something to criticize, even if it's something we have no control over.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLTON BARRETT, LECON COGILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tpe54
Yeah! Oh, yeah! Now!
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too; (doo-oo-oo-oo-oo!)
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night)
And rock was my pillow, too. Yeah!
I'm saying: talkin' blues (talkin' blues),
talkin' blues (talkin' blues);
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues):
Your feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Yeah, I've been down on the rock for so long, (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw; (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
I've been down on the rock for so long, (so long)
I seem to wear a permanent screw. (screw-oo-oo-oo-oo)
But-a I - I'm gonna stare in the sun,
Let the rays shine in my eyes.
I - I'm a gonna take a just-a one step more
'Cause I feel like bombin' a church -
Now - now that you know that the preacher is lyin'.
So who's gonna stay at home
When - when the freedom fighters are fighting?
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues):
They say your feet is just too big for your shoes, woe-oh-oh-oh!
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), keep on talkin' blues (talkin' blues);
They say - you hear what they say -
Didn't you hear?
Cold ground was my bed (bed last night),
Rockstone - rockstone - rockstone was my pillow;
Cold ground was my bed last night (bed last night),
And rock was my pillow, too.
Sayin': (talkin' blues, talkin' blues):
I seem to wear a permanent screw - permanent screw.
Talkin' blues (talkin' blues), talkin' blues (talkin' blues):
Feet is just too big for your shoes. (shoe-oo-oo-oo-oo) /fadeout/
@user-bd2ni1ee3n
i was 18years old when my brother played this song now i am 68years old.
@errolgavin6554
Nice to see old guys still Jah hard bless you bro I'm 53
@dereksealy1594
The first Bob Marley album l ever saw in our house way back in 76.
All of the rest followed...We even back-tracked to 'Burnin'..l
@jwbh7995
Happy 72nd birthday Bob. You are the greatest musician this world has ever known. Glad you left children behind to keep the Marley name around forever.
@AztekDeLaJungle
True 🔥
@velmasanders103
Bob. Listen to words. Will never die. Xx
@austinirabor5586
thank God for Bob Marley the greatest
@miRasJamal
Humbly proud to say that i was fortunate enough to visit and rest my head on that very rock Bob speak of in no other than Nine Mile Jamaica. Cant listen to this song without thinkin about my recent past trip there....Jah willing I hope to return within the next year or two!
@grumarnold9706
Proudly replicated Bob myself in nine mile and layed on the cold ground , and rested my head on the rock he speaks of , smoking a spliff .
@alechiggins6515
One of the best Bob songs!