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)
Top Rankin'
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting
They don't want to see us live together
All they want us to do is keep on killing one another
Top rankin', top rankin'
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Oh, did you mean what you say now?
Are you, oh are you? (rankin', rankin')
Are ya, Lord, Lord, Lord (skankin', skankin')
They say the blood runs
And it runs through our line,
And our hearts, heart of hearts divine, yeah!
And John saw them comin', ooh!
A with the truth
From an ancient time
The brotherly love (brotherly love)
The sisterly love (sisterly love)
I feel this morning, I feel this morning
Brotherly love (brotherly love)
The sisterly love (sisterly love)
I feel this morning, this morning, hey!
They don't want us to unite
All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting
They don't want to see us live together
All they want us to do is keep on killing one another
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Did ya mean what you say now? (top rankin')
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Top rankin' (top ranking)
Did you (top rankin') mean what you say? (top rankin')
Are you? (rankin', rankin)
Are you? (skankin', skankin')
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Are you? (skankin', skankin')
Ow are you? (skankin', skankin')
The lyrics of "Top Rankin'" by Bob Marley & The Wailers highlight the issue of division among people. The song seems to address those in power who don't want to see the common people unite and live together peacefully. Instead, they want the people to keep fighting among themselves and killing one another. Bob Marley sings that the blood that runs through our line and hearts is divine, and John saw them coming with the truth from an ancient time. The song also speaks to brotherly and sisterly love and unity.
In the chorus, Marley asks if the listeners are skankin' and are they top rankin'. The term "skankin'" is a Jamaican slang term that refers to dancing, and "top rankin'" means the best of the best. Therefore, Bob Marley is asking if the listeners are dancing and if they are giving their best to the cause of unity and brotherly/sisterly love.
Line by Line Meaning
They don't want to see us unite
Those in power do not want to see the common people join together.
All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting
Those in power want the common people to be in conflict and not at peace with each other.
They don't want to see us live together
People in power want to see the common people segregated and apart from each other.
All they want us to do is keep on killing one another
People in power benefit from the common people fighting and killing each other.
Top rankin', top rankin'
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following those in power and their agenda?
Oh, did you mean what you say now?
Do you truly believe in what you are saying and supporting?
Are you, oh are you? (rankin', rankin')
Are you truly aware of the role of those in power and where you stand in society?
Are ya, Lord, Lord, Lord (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following the agenda of those in power and not thinking for yourself?
They say the blood runs
People say that blood ties run deep and are important.
And it runs through our line,
And blood ties run through our family and community ties.
And our hearts, heart of hearts divine, yeah!
And our hearts are deeply connected and guided by the divine.
And John saw them comin', ooh!
And John, a prophet from an ancient time, foresaw these struggles and conflicts.
A with the truth
He, along with other prophets, preached the truth about the dangers of those in power.
The brotherly love (brotherly love)
Love between members of the same family and community is important.
The sisterly love (sisterly love)
Love between sisters and members of the same community is important.
I feel this morning, I feel this morning
I am feeling the importance of this love and connection now, in this moment.
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Did ya mean what you say now? (top rankin')
Do you truly believe in what you are saying and supporting?
Are you skankin'? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following those in power and their agenda?
Top rankin' (top ranking)
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Did you (top rankin') mean what you say?
Do you truly believe in what you are saying and supporting?
Are you? (rankin', rankin)
Are you truly aware of the role of those in power and where you stand in society?
Are you? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following the agenda of those in power and not thinking for yourself?
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Top rankin' (top rankin')
Those in power hold the highest rank and are in control of society.
Are you? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following the agenda of those in power and not thinking for yourself?
Ow are you? (skankin', skankin')
Are you blindly following the agenda of those in power and not thinking for yourself?
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scj5314
This song becomes more and more relevant over time
@Leandrozuccarelli
King of Reggae, your words and lyrics will be forever alive.. Rip Bob Marley, .. and thanks to who posted this marvellous track here !!!
@Lovedasyouare1
The line where he says "John saw them coming with the truth from an ancient time, the brotherly love the sisterly love I feel this morning " I cried for over an hour tears snot crying and cried and cried tears of love just remembering and connecting to an ancient time where we all love each other this much
@kurtpeterson315
Jah Rastafari! Brother Bob, the Sage and Prophet and spreader of Gospel! We know now why he was silenced by a cancer virus. UNITE INSTEAD OF FIGHT!
@jasonwilliams0306
John the Baptiste, his spiritual energy or spirit double [KAA] is Eliyah or Elijah - remember it was the 6ether Muslims who did not recognise him and chopped his head off, the lov9 we always had, its the others that must learn about lov9, yes agreed the 9ethers are no better today - but that was taught to them
@judithharrison578
THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH! THIS MAN WAS/IS A GENIUS! LONG LIVE BOB MARLEY!
@rootsychick2151
The Spirit moved you! Awesome
@Christian-Roots818
They donβt want to see Us Unite !
@udohnsikak6352
The groovy nature of this song is absolutely mesmerizing.Bob marley is no doubt the king of reggae music.
@lawrencenjawe9875
The Undisputed KINGπ