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 Is Your Neighbour
Rita Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a man next door trying to cut you down
If you're working hard at your job I say
There's a man beside you looking to pull you down
Tell me who is your neighbour I wanna know
Who is your friend sir, yea
Who is your neighbour
If you work your hardest best to make this life a success
There's a man around who's gonna discredit you
If you've got a happy home and a contented life
There'll be a snake in the grass trying to build up some strife
Tell me who is your neighbour I wanna know
Who is your friend, sir
Who is your neighbour
Who is your friend, sir
If you give to charity and treat your workers good
There'll be covetous ones caliming you're no good
But when criticised just keep silent
Cause we realize that they're devil sent
Tell me who is your neighbour, I wanna know
Who is your friend, sir
Who is your neighbour
Who is your friend, sir
Rita Marley's song "Who Is Your Neighbour" is a thought-provoking song that reflects on the challenges that come with trying to succeed in life. The first verse is a warning about pride and jealousy in a neighbourhood. It implies that even those who might seem friendly could be secretly trying to cut you down. The second verse sings about how hard work and contentedness could attract envy and hostility from others. The final verse suggests that good deeds and charitable acts often attract undue criticism and scorn, with those who ignore it being deemed the better and more virtuous neighbour.
The lyrics of the song reflect Marley's observation about how people can show their true colours when someone is doing better than them. This is a theme that can be applied to many aspects of life; it raises questions about how to deal with others who try to bring you down during your journey to success. The repetition of the question "Who is your neighbour?" conveys the urgency and importance of identifying those who pose a threat and those who show true friendship and support.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're walking tall in your neighbourhood
If you are confident and successful in your community
There's a man next door trying to cut you down
There is someone nearby who is trying to bring you down
If you're working hard at your job I say
If you are putting in a lot of effort at work
There's a man beside you looking to pull you down
There is a person next to you who is trying to undermine your hard work
Tell me who is your neighbour I wanna know
Who is living near you that you can rely on?
Who is your friend sir, yea
Who is your true ally?
If you work your hardest best to make this life a success
If you are striving to achieve your goals and make your life better
There's a man around who's gonna discredit you
There is someone who will try to undermine your efforts and reputation
If you've got a happy home and a contented life
If you are satisfied with your personal life and feel fulfilled
There'll be a snake in the grass trying to build up some strife
There is someone hiding and trying to create problems for you
If you give to charity and treat your workers good
If you are generous and kind to your employees
There'll be covetous ones caliming you're no good
There are envious people who will try to slander your reputation
But when criticised just keep silent
When people criticize you, it's better to stay quiet
Cause we realize that they're devil sent
Because we understand that these negative people are influenced by evil forces
Tell me who is your neighbour, I wanna know
Who can you trust and rely on in your immediate community?
Who is your friend, sir
Who is your true friend and ally?
Who is your neighbour
Who can you turn to for help when you need it?
Who is your friend, sir
Who will stand by your side and support you?
Contributed by Victoria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Xie Myrie
Soothing and spiritual uplifting. Rita Marley's music has some unique taste in in. I love it!
Jason Mitchell
Loves it