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.
Butterflies
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And only love can win the war
The battles you will win with arms
And only love will win the war
Yeah
She says, "I′m high"
Why I'm talking about these crazy things?
Like, who really has the most to gain?
The one′s who fan the flame
The one's who tell the tales
That history never fails
The words are from a page
A shackle for the brave
So, the dragons' dreams came true
What about me and you?
We can be butterflies
If only you knew
The battles you will win with arms
And only love will win the war
(We can be butterflies)
Now, if you hear what I say
Only the sun can bring the day
(We can be butterflies), yeah
They say I′m naive and that the bets were already in
And I didn′t have a poker face
Oh, the river was just around the bend
For some, it's just a game
The ones who sell the bombs
The bullets and the guns
They build the tanks and planes
Incentivize our pain
Oh, the serpents′ dreams came true
And why not me and you?
Now, we can be butterflies
If only you knew
The battles you will win with arms
And only love can win the war
(We can be butterflies)
Now, can you hear what I say?
Only the sun can bring in the day
(We can be butterflies)
We can be butterflies
(We can be butterflies)
(We can be butterflies)
We can be butterflies
(We can be butterflies)
(We can be butterflies)
The song "Butterflies" by Ziggy Marley is a call to action for humanity to focus on love and peace instead of war and weapons. The lyrics suggest that only love can truly win the ongoing battle for peace, and that we need to let go of our desire for power and control over one another. The use of butterflies as a metaphor for transformation and beauty is effective in conveying this message.
The opening lines of the song, "The battles you will win with arms / And only love can win the war," set the tone for the lyrics that follow. The repetition of this line emphasizes the importance of choosing love over violence, and suggests that love is the only way to truly conquer conflict. The lyric "Now, if you hear what I say / Only the sun can bring the day" reinforces this message, suggesting that we need to come together in love to create a brighter future.
The second verse of the song shifts to a more personal perspective, with the lyric "They say I'm naive and that the bets were already in / And I didn't have a poker face." This suggests a sense of disillusionment with the systems of power that exist in the world, and a desire to see them transformed. The bridge, which asks "What about me and you?" suggests that change starts with each individual, and that we can all work towards a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
The battles you will win with arms
You may win some of your battles with physical strength and weapons.
And only love can win the war
However, only love can win the greater war that encompasses all of humanity, overcoming hate and division.
She says, "I’m high"
A person is speaking in a state of heightened and possibly altered consciousness.
Am I smoking so much kushungpeng?
Is this state of mind caused by smoking a lot of marijuana?
Why I'm talking about these crazy things?
Why am I discussing unusual, unusual, or unexpected topics?
Like, who really has the most to gain?
Who is benefiting the most from the current situation or conflict?
The one’s who fan the flame
The people who intentionally ignite or add fuel to a conflict.
The one's who tell the tales
Those who create and spread stories and propaganda designed to support a particular narrative or agenda.
That history never fails
These stories are often based on a narrow or selective view of history.
The words are from a page
These narratives are often written and widely distributed, like a book or other printed material.
A shackle for the brave
These stories and myths can hold people back, limiting their ability to act courageously or independently.
So, the dragons' dreams came true
The people who rule through force and violence have achieved their goals and seized power.
What about me and you?
What will happen to ordinary people as a result of this struggle?
We can be butterflies
We can transform and emerge in a positive way despite the difficult times we face.
If only you knew
If only people understood the possibility of transformation and believed that a better world is possible.
Now, if you hear what I say
If people understand and really take to heart the meaning of my words.
Only the sun can bring the day
Only through the light of knowledge and understanding can we move beyond the darkness of our current situation.
They say I’m naive and that the bets were already in
Some people dismiss my ideas as unrealistic and claim that the outcomes are already predetermined.
And I didn’t have a poker face
I am not a skilled deceiver or manipulator; I honestly express what I believe and feel.
Oh, the river was just around the bend
Change or a new opportunity is just about to happen.
For some, it's just a game
For some people, the struggles and difficulties faced by others are nothing more than a game or a form of entertainment.
The ones who sell the bombs
The people and organizations that manufacture and distribute weapons and tools of war.
The bullets and the guns
Specifically, the ammunition and guns that cause death and destruction in wars and conflicts.
They build the tanks and planes
The people and companies that construct and sell military hardware, like tanks and airplanes.
Incentivize our pain
These organizations profit from war and violence, which incentivizes and perpetuates pain and suffering.
Oh, the serpents' dreams came true
Those who deceive and manipulate, like a serpent, have achieved their goals and seized power.
And why not me and you?
Why can't ordinary people also prosper and succeed, rather than just the powerful and corrupt?
We can be butterflies
We have the power to transform and emerge anew, like butterflies do when they emerge from their cocoons.
Now, can you hear what I say?
Do other people understand and resonate with my message?
Only the sun can bring in the day
Only through the light of knowledge and understanding can we move beyond the darkness of our current situation.
We can be butterflies
We have the power to transform and emerge anew, like butterflies do when they emerge from their cocoons.
Writer(s): David Nesta Marley
Contributed by Bentley F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stevencorsoe7512
A truly beautiful video...with a message for peace.Thank you Ziggy,you are always teaching us who we are.
@marisamarisa3815
No me canso nunca escuchar a Ziggy ni de ver este vídeo !!
@romeoromeo9394
New music video for the song (Новое музыкальное видео на эту песню)
Simply Falling - Iyeoka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAX8mrfJHGA
@trezzzzzzzzzzzzz
Love this so much man, this is what real music sounds like
@UesleyRenato
eu amo animação, amo reggae <3
@blakdad
I can't wait to see you perform at the Hollywood bowl this summer. One Love Ziggy!
@jahblessjahcure7809
blakdad how was it, going to His consert in 2 days
@getmoneyapparelaccessories1907
perfect visuals for these lyrics 👌 much props Marc paper scissors and C3 motion graphics
@marcpaperscissor
:) It was a pleasure to create :) Thanks for the inspiration Ziggy!
@Rastamon9481
awesome work such a beautiful song