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.
Better Together
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So much better when we're together
I don't know what happened on the way
How did we not learn from the mistakes
Oh baby
Yes I must stand up
Will you come with me
If I fall down, you can take the lead
I know you're weary
I know the ways of the world can be scary
I know it's so much better when we're together
You and I, I know
I know it's so much better when we're together
We've all been there before
Even side of the wall
We wanted to watch it fall
She wanted to watch it, you wanted to watch it
Lift your hands and put your weapons down
Put them down now
We all know what makes the world go around
Now there's a reason for every trials
And we lean each other for survival
Yes I'm tired I might a little bit weary
All the ways from Babylon it's so crazy
But it's so much better when we're together
In Ziggy Marley's song "Better Together", he emphasizes the importance of unity and togetherness. The repeated lyrics "So much better when we're together" highlight the concept of teamwork and how things can be accomplished more efficiently when individuals come together. The opening lines, "I don't know what happened on the way, how did we not learn from the mistakes," hint towards the idea that sometimes people tend to forget the lessons learned from past events and thus repeat the same mistakes. However, the songwriter encourages listeners to stand up and make a positive change while having the support of someone else.
The next few lines, "I know you're tired, I know you're weary, I know the ways of the world can be scary," depict the struggles that people face daily. Still, the song suggests that taking a step back and working towards common goals with others can make these challenges easier to overcome. The line "All the ways from Babylon it's so crazy" refers to the chaos and disunity that exist in the world, and how it's important to come together to make a positive difference.
Overall, the song's message is about the value of companionship and how combining efforts can lead to a better world. Ziggy Marley invokes listeners to strive for collaboration and togetherness to make the world a better place.
Line by Line Meaning
So much better when we're together
The singer feels happier and more fulfilled when they are with their loved one.
I don't know what happened on the way
The singer is unsure of what went wrong in their relationship or in the world.
How did we not learn from the mistakes
The singer wonders why they and others haven't learned from past mistakes to improve the present.
Yes I must stand up
The artist acknowledges their responsibility to take action towards a positive change.
Will you come with me
The artist requests their loved one's support as they take action towards change.
If I fall down, you can take the lead
The singer trusts their loved one to take charge and lead if they are unable to continue.
I know you're tired
The singer acknowledges that their loved one is fatigued from the struggles of life.
I know you're weary
The artist understands that their loved one is worn out from the challenges they've faced.
I know the ways of the world can be scary
The artist knows that the world can be a frightening and worrisome place.
You and I, I know
The artist is confident that their loved one and they can face the world together.
We've all been there before
The singer acknowledges that everyone has faced challenges and struggles in their lives.
Even side of the wall
The artist means that everyone is equally impacted by the struggles and obstacles of life.
We wanted to watch it fall
The singer and their loved one wanted to see the end of the negative situation or circumstance.
Lift your hands and put your weapons down
The singer calls for everyone to put down their figurative and literal weapons and come together.
Put them down now
The singer urges for an immediate end to conflict and fighting.
We all know what makes the world go around
The artist suggests that love and unity are what truly drive the world forward and create positive change.
Now there's a reason for every trials
The artist believes that trials and struggles happen for a reason and can serve as opportunities for growth.
And we lean each other for survival
The singer asserts that humans rely on one another for support and to survive challenging moments.
Yes I'm tired I might a little bit weary
The singer admits to their own exhaustion and weariness from life's difficulties.
All the ways from Babylon it's so crazy
The artist acknowledges the craziness and chaos of the world, likening it to the historic city of Babylon.
But it's so much better when we're together
The artist reaffirms that they and their loved one can find happiness and strength together despite life's challenges.
Writer(s): GEOFFREY EARLEY, JACOB LUTTRELL, ZIGGY MARLEY, JESSIE LAUREN FOUTZ, JEANETTE STEINER
Contributed by Jordan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Edward Dimmer
Can you imagine Bob Marley still alive on stage surrounded by all his children. It would be an incredible concert.
setinaa minor
I love ziggy marley! He very humble, very spiritual. His dad would be very proud.
Gary Buster
Hell, I still can't believe how deep his insight was about life 40 freaking years ago.
JOHN COMIN
ONELOVE ☘️🖤❤️🦁💛💚 ONEWORLD 🍀 JAHRASTAFARI☘️20🦁20
uzoigwe precious
Let me say that they wouldnt have grown into the men they are today had" nesta been around, this is what i blv
Ian Burrow
I love what the Marley kids do in their own right. Even without bringing in the fact that they're the children of Bob. But whenever I hear them perform their fathers music I get chills...
tracey ramdehal
Agree, I love listening to Ziggy do his dads songs
Elias x
Bob Marley é inesquecível 💯 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Iraci Lopes Bezerra Ferraz
Amo tudo que vem do inesquecível Bob
staggerlee41
Just like his father, so much soul in his music. All of the Marley children for that matter. Much love to the Marley family for the beautiful gift of timeless, amazing music. What a gift.