David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born October 17, 1968 in Saint Ann Parish, ghet… Read Full Bio ↴David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born October 17, 1968 in Saint Ann Parish, ghetto of Trenchtown, Jamaica), composer, singer and guitarist, is a multiple Grammy-winning (reggae) Jamaican musician. He is known for songs like "Tomorrow People", "Love Is My Religion" and "A Lifetime", He is the oldest son in the marriage between the singer Rita Anderson (Marley) and late legendary reggae Bob Marley. David's father Bob nicknamed him "Ziggy". A ziggy is a big marijuana spliff on Jamaiaca.

Ziggy learned Rastafari faith from his parents and had access to some of the world's best reggae musicians in the comp band of his father – the legendary reggae Wailers. Ziggy Marley first sat in on recording sessions with Bob Marley and the Wailers when he was around 10 years old. Joining with his three siblings to become The Melody Makers, Ziggy crafted his own soulful sound blending blues, RnB, hip-hop and roots reggae.

After their first two albums, Play The Game Right (1985) and Hey World! (1986), The Melody Makers earned their first Grammy (Best Reggae Recording) for Conscious Party (1988), an album produced by Talking Heads Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth which included the hit songs "Tomorrow People" and "Tumbling Down."

Subsequent albums included the Grammy-winning One Bright Day (1989), Jamekya (1991), Joy and Blues (1993), Free Like We Want 2 B (1995), their third Grammy winner Fallen is Babylon (1997), Spirit of Music (1999) and Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers Live, Vol 1 (2000), which featured some of their biggest hits as well as a cover of Bob Marley's "Could You Be Loved."

While selling records by the millions and selling out countless concerts with the Melody Makers, including a recent European tour, Ziggy Marley has never lost sight of his foundation of faith, fellowship and family.

After two decades as the driving creative force behind The Melody Makers, Ziggy stepped out on his own with his first solo album, Dragonfly (2003). Never content to rehash the success of his past, Ziggy uses Dragonfly to explore new ground and create his own distinctive musical identity as a solo artist.

"Working on my own gave me a chance to take my time and experiment a lot," Ziggy says of the material on Dragonfly." It took one year to finish this record. It's the longest I've ever worked on a album. It's different when you on your own. At some point it's scary and then at another it's a drive that makes you focus more."

Although the members of the most close-knit musical families often yearn to step out on their own, for Ziggy, a solo debut was not a long-awaited goal. "It's not something that I wished for since I began doing music," he says. "It was just the circumstances, and I wanted to be true to myself and what I feel. The record has strong messages and it feels good."

In addition to being Ziggy's first album of solo material, for Dragonfly he felt it was time for a change of scene. "Usually we record in Kingston. These songs were written in Jamaica and recorded in America. I did the first set of recordings in a house in Miami and then went to L.A. rented a house, set up my equipment and basically did the rest there. I left Jamaica for a while, because as an artist I need to experience different things, to see the world and have different energies. Living in one place is not good for me and I was tired of making music in a studio setting. I wanted it to be more like everyday life a part of me.

"As an individual, I've opened up more by traveling outside Jamaica, and I've been more able to be open to people and ideas. It helps me to grow as a person to be outside of my element; to be on my own in a strange place meeting people. That's good for me not to be in my secure domain."

The evidence of that growth is everywhere on Dragonfly.

On July 2nd, 2006, Ziggy released his second album, Love is My Religion. He states "This album is from my heart," and he feels that he embraces his spiritual and emotional side of life. This album show Ziggy coming into his own as an artist, as he wrote all of the songs for the album and played nearly all of the instruments.

Love is My Religion is a testament to Ziggy Marley's talent as he follows in the footsteps of his father, the Legend.

A Sign
Ziggy Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I tell you everyday no don't walk that way
Do you hear a word I say
'Cause you keep going on and you keep living wrong
There's a price to be paid

Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign maybe you need to cry
Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign maybe you need to cry

Go on walk out the door just remember the seeds you sow
Are the fruits that you reap
Now you been told before don't act like you don't know
When the truth speaks

Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign maybe you need to cry
Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign
Maybe you need to maybe you need to maybe you need to cry

I tell you everyday please don't walk that way
Do you hear a word I say

Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign maybe you need to cry

Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign
Maybe you need a maybe you need a maybe you need a sign

Overall Meaning

In Ziggy Marley's song "A Sign," the lyrics address someone who is not heeding the advice of those around them and is living their life in the wrong way. The singer repeats themselves to this person, urging them not to go down the path that they are currently on. They warn that there will be consequences for their actions and that they will have to pay the price for the choices they make.

The chorus of the song hints at the idea that perhaps this person needs a sign – something to show them the way, to make them understand the gravity of their situation. Maybe they need to cry in order to release their emotions and come to a realization. The song ends with the singer once again pleading with this person to listen to them and hear their words.

Overall, the song appears to be a cautionary tale about the dangers of not listening to those around you and making poor choices. It also suggests that sometimes people need a wake-up call in order to understand the severity of their actions.

Line by Line Meaning

I tell you everyday no don't walk that way
I keep warning you every day not to continue on the wrong path

Do you hear a word I say
Are you even paying attention to my advice?

'Cause you keep going on and you keep living wrong
But you keep repeating your mistakes and living immorally

There's a price to be paid
Don't forget that your actions will have consequences

Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign maybe you need to cry
Perhaps you need a clear indicator or moment of realization that will move you to tears

Go on walk out the door just remember the seeds you sow
You can leave if you want, but remember that your actions have a lasting effect

Are the fruits that you reap
They will determine the outcomes that you experience

Now you been told before don't act like you don't know
I've told you this before, so don't pretend like you don't understand

When the truth speaks
It's important to listen to and acknowledge the truth

Maybe you need to maybe you need to maybe you need to cry
Perhaps the only way for you to truly learn your lesson is through emotional release

I tell you everyday please don't walk that way
Once again, I urge you to change your ways

Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign maybe you need to cry
Maybe you need a clear indicator or moment of realization that will move you to tears

Maybe you need a sign maybe you need a sign
Perhaps you need a clear indication that you're on the wrong path

Maybe you need a maybe you need a maybe you need a sign
Maybe you need to be presented with a clearer message or lesson

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID NESTA MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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