She grew up in Jamaica, and was singing with a trio named The Soulettes in the mid sixties recording for Studio One when she met Bob Marley. She married him in 1966, and then became a singer in his backing vocals group, the I Threes. She had three children with him and two outside of the marriage. She converted to the Rastafari movement after witnessing Haile Selassie on his visit to Kingston, Jamaica on 21 April 1966. She convinced Bob Marley to convert as well. She wrote many of the songs recorded by Bob while backing him.[citation needed] After Marley's death, she recorded few albums under her name with some success in the United Kingdom. She took care of Marley's estate and mentored her son, Ziggy Marley.
In January 2005 it was claimed that she wished Bob Marley's body be reburied in Ethiopia, but she denied that there were any such plans. Rita currently lives in Ghana and spends a lot of time in Florida, and sometimes her home in Jamaica. Some of her family reside in Canada.
Rita appears on Fergie's new album The Dutchess
Who Colt The Game
Rita Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who colt the game
It's not natty dready
It must be bald heady
Somebody play the wrong domino
And want the world to flollow
Someone is fillin' their sack
In a completry? black
A you colt the game
Why you play the bad card
Now we catch you off guard
Natty dread want to shuffle
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Natty dread want to shuffle
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Who colt the game
Who colt the game
One way in, one way out
Some a holler some a shout
Natty dread want to shuffle
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Natty dread want to shuffle
Not lookin' for no-one to hassle now
You colt the game
Divided in
Why you play the bad card
Now we catch you off guard
Somebody play the wrong domino
And cause the rest to follow
Someoen is fillin' ya sack
Well it's a completry? black
Who colt the game
Who colt the game
Now bout to fill your sack
It's a completry black
Natty dread want to shuffle
Natty dread want to shout
Colt and colt
Colt and colt
Speak the truth and do it ever
Who colt the game
'cause once you did it you'll do it again
Who colt the game
The song "Who Colt The Game" by Rita Marley is a powerful anthem about deception and betrayal. The title itself is a question that is repeated throughout the song, which is essentially asking who is responsible for the dishonesty and unfairness in the game being played. The first two lines of the song set the tone by saying "Who colt the game, who colt the game, it's not natty dready, it must be bald heady", suggesting that the person responsible for the deception is not someone who values natural qualities and integrity.
The song goes on to describe how someone played the wrong domino and caused the world to follow them, implying that their actions have had disastrous consequences. The lines "One way in, one way out, some a holler some a shout" suggest that people are trapped in the game and are trying to find a way out. The lines "Natty dread want to shuffle, not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now" show the desire for peace and harmony, but also that Natty Dread (a Rastafarian term for a person who is spiritually enlightened) will defend themselves if necessary.
Overall, the song is a call to action against corruption and deception, and a plea for truth and justice. It highlights the importance of integrity and honesty, and the devastating consequences of dishonesty and selfishness.
Line by Line Meaning
Who colt the game
Asking who rigged or cheated in the game being played
Who colt the game
Repeating the question of who cheated
It's not natty dready
Stating that the one who cheated is not a Rastafarian
It must be bald heady
Speculation that the one who cheated is not a Rastafarian and possibly a non-Jamaican
Somebody play the wrong domino
A metaphor for making a mistake that affects everyone in the game
And want the world to flollow
The person who made the mistake tries to lead others to follow their wrong actions
Someone is fillin' their sack
Someone is taking advantage or benefiting from the cheating
In a completry? black
In a completely unfair way
A you colt the game
Accusing the one addressed for cheating
Why you play the bad card
Asking why the person addressed played unfairly in the game
Now we catch you off guard
Referring to the person addressed being caught red-handed
Natty dread want to shuffle
Referring to wanting to start over and play fair
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Not looking for any trouble or conflict
One way in, one way out
Inescapable situation
Some a holler some a shout
People expressing their opinions or outrage
Natty dread want to shuffle
Repeating the desire to start over and play fair
Not lookin' for nothin' to scuffle now
Stressing the peaceful intentions of wanting to start over fairly
You colt the game
Repeating the accusation of cheating at the person addressed
Divided in
Referring to people being divided because of the cheating
Now we catch you off guard
Emphasizing catching the person addressed cheating
Somebody play the wrong domino
Repeating the metaphor of making a mistake that affects everyone
And cause the rest to follow
The mistake affects other people's actions
Someoen is fillin' ya sack
Repeating the accusation of someone taking advantage or benefitting from cheating
Well it's a completry? black
Repeating that it is completely unfair
Now bout to fill your sack
Emphasizing that the person addressed is about to cheat or take further advantage
It's a completry black
Repeating that it is completely unfair
Natty dread want to shuffle
Repeating the idea of wanting to start over fairly
Natty dread want to shout
Repeating desire to express oneself honestly
Colt and colt
Repeating the word for cheating
Speak the truth and do it ever
Encouraging honesty always
Who colt the game
Repeating the main question of who cheated
'cause once you did it you'll do it again
Warning that those who cheat once will likely do it again
Writer(s): Bob Marley
Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Carreen Bogden
I always wanted to sing this in a band. I love her. This has such a great groove.
Daughter of a KING NY21
My goodness I absolutely love Rita's voice 🌹😘💚💛❤️🌿🐯👑
Michele White
Love this song
Raymond Nesbeth
Really good music nice voice
Jacqueline Dias
Nov. 2022 Playing it all the time when I get in my car on a nice rhythm
Theodore Thompson
I love Rita's voice. Sorry I confused her for Marcia Griffiths. But that hook is so good. One way in, One way out. This play in Kingston Jamaica so often. I think the radio stations were RJR and JBC.
TheNovice2
Real POWER MUSIC
Bryan Morris
Big tune
Ava Daley
Who colt the game.... one way in one way out❤💚💛
Candy Rain
2022 still listening this, here playing Dominoes & it crossed my mind😂😂