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.
Family Time
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lift up your feet with a dance
Lift up your spirit's with a song
It's family time, it's family time, it's family time
Hi, how you doing?
Hi, how you been?
It's really good to know we still got this thing
Everyone's happy, nobody's gotta run
Lift up your hearts with a smile
Lift up your feet with a dance
Lift up your spirit's with a song
It's family time, it's family time, it's family time
Now the world gets busy but it's not hard to see
Family means the most to me
I'm so happy we found this time
We can all share what's on our minds
Lift up your hearts with a smile
Lift up your feet with a dance
Lift up your spirit's with a song
It's family time, it's family time, it's family time
Now we get together, that's how we get along
Now we get the world to sing a peace song
Everyone can see we are family
Everyone can see it's time to be free
Lift up your hearts with a smile
Lift up your feet with a dance
Lift up your spirit's with a song
It's family time, it's family time, it's family time
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Hi, how you doing?
Hi, how you been?
It's really good to know we still got this thing
When we get together it's so much fun
Everyone's happy nobody's gotta run
Lift up your hearts with a smile
Lift up your feet with a dance
Lift up your spirit's with a song
It's family time, it's family time, it's family time
Lift up your hearts with a smile
Lift up your feet with a dance
Lift up your spirit's with a song
It's family time, it's family time, it's family time
It's family time, it's family time, it's family time
It's family time, yeah
Yeah, it's family time (it's family time)
Yeah, it's family time
Yeah
The lyrics to Ziggy Marley's song "Family Time" evoke an overarching message of the importance of spending time with loved ones, rejoicing in companionship, and celebrating the love and unity of family. The song encourages everyone to lighten their hearts, shake their feet, and sing their songs, for the sake of family bonding. The chorus, "Lift up your hearts with a smile, lift up your feet with a dance, lift up your spirits with a song, it's family time," is a call to revel, laugh, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life which make 'family time' so special. Ziggy Marley recognizes that the modern world can be hectic and intense, highlighting the significance of the loving and supportive people around us, who create an environment where we can open up to each other and feel truly at ease.
In the verse, the artist greets his loved ones warmly, emphasizing the happiness that meeting his family provides. Ziggy also recognizes that unity and fellowship are instrumental in the promotion of global peace, and that fostering a sense of community can lead to international harmony. The song is a reminder to connect with those closest to us, spread love, and live in the moment. The inclusion of similar phrases in both the verse and the chorus ensures that the song is thoroughly reinforced, reinforcing the significance of family time in the listener's psyche.
Line by Line Meaning
Lift up your hearts with a smile
Start smiling and look at things positively
Lift up your feet with a dance
Get up and move with the rhythm of the music
Lift up your spirit's with a song
Enjoy the lyrics, melody, and harmony of the music
It's family time, it's family time, it's family time
This is the time for family members to bond and connect
Hi, how you doing?
A greeting to start a conversation
Hi, how you been?
Asking about the recent life of someone
It's really good to know we still got this thing
It's great to see everyone getting together again
When we get together it's so much fun
The family members enjoy each other's company
Everyone's happy, nobody's gotta run
Nobody wants to leave because everyone is having a good time
Now the world gets busy but it's not hard to see
The world is full of distractions, but nothing is more important than the family
Family means the most to me
Family is the most important thing in the world
I'm so happy we found this time
It's great that we could all make time for each other
We can all share what's on our minds
Everyone can express themselves and share their thoughts
Now we get together, that's how we get along
The way we stay connected as a family is by spending time together
Now we get the world to sing a peace song
When the family is happy and united, it radiates positive energy to the world
Everyone can see we are family
It's clear to everyone that we are all connected as a family
Everyone can see it's time to be free
It's time to let go of the stress and worries and enjoy the moment
It's family time, yeah
The family is the ultimate priority
Yeah, it's family time (it's family time)
Yes, it's time to spend with the family
Yeah, it's family time
Again emphasizing that it's time for the family to be together
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: David Nesta Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Emilee baste
I love bob marley's music but I also love ziggy 's music too they both are amazing I listen to both of them all the time
BADSENSI
Bob Marley was the luckies man to have such a big, loving and happy family! Big love to the Marleys!
Nerdherd16
Dude the clippings of Nesta are beautiful, im glad all he is carries on in Ziggy and his Children This song is awe inspiring!!!! PEACE AND LOVE WES
Sean Matteson
We lost Bob when he died, but he gave us such a variety of good music and message in his children. From this to Road to Zion, great family
Deoblo61369
Man ziggy and bob are like my heros their songs inspire me to be the loveing care free happy person i am. i wish i could thank them
Bay
I love how the clips of Bob are thrown in there, it shows that hes always "there".
Andrew Alldredge
This song lets me experience the childhood I never had, thank you so much!
Emilee baste
Bob marley and ziggy marley both have super good music I listen to both of them all the time
elton menezes
ta aí o sonho de todas as pessoas que querem ter uma familia feliz,curtindo o amor entre elas,a vida,o reggae... clipe perfeito..
MatthewJayB
Music preferences aside, how can you NOT like Ziggy. He's such a nice bloke!