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 β 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.
GoodTime
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's have a good time
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Get those problems out your head, put
Your mama to bed
But don't stray too far from reality or
In a dream world
Dreaming of things that there ain't no possibility, who
Wee, believe me
Let's have a nice grooving time, but don't go too far
From the truth in your mind
Cause you'll drink and drive, and then
You'll fly too
High and so you'll pay the price for justa
Feeling nice
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
So many things to foresee, we were not
Born to live this way
We were born having fun in the jungle of grace
With plenty of food to eat, and plenty drink to drink
So you know what I mean when I say
Liberate yourself from the state that you're in
It stink, it stink, it stink
Mi sey to dance if y ou have to but don't
Take no chance
To be deceived, yea
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
The bass is heavy the drummer is steady
Ooh, rhythm runs and it got you on the
Floor cry out
For more
That's the only way you gonna know for
Sure you need
Some more
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Your mind is your mind, I mean your body
And your soul
Don't let material things they must not
Keep you down
A get on up, a get on up, I mean you do
What I ya say
I say do what you do, but don't get
Carried away
Let's have a good time, yes educate
Oneself
Let's have a good time, and liberate
Oneself
Don't be no fool today don't be so cruel
Today
Let's work together yes, to build a better
Place
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
The bass is heavy the drummer is steady
Woe wee yes it run and got you on teh floor, cry out
For more
That's the only way you gonna know for
Sure, we need
Some more
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Though the world is cruel and blind
Let's have a good time
Melody Makers, more Melody Makers
Let's have a good time
Melody Makers, more Melody Makers
Melody Makers
More Melody Makers, Let's have a good time
Melody Makers, More Meldoy Makers
Melody Makers
Let's have a good time, let's have a good time
Let's have a good time
The lyrics of "Goodtime" by Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers convey a simple message: even though the world can be cruel and blind, we should strive to have a good time. The song emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in reality while enjoying life's pleasures. The line "get those problems out your head, put your mama to bed" suggests taking a break from worrying and stress, but the following line warns against straying too far from reality. The lyrics caution against excessive indulgence, urging listeners not to drink and drive or get carried away with material possessions.
The song also touches on themes of liberation and unity. The lyrics encourage listeners to "liberate yourself from the state that you're in," suggesting a call to action for self-improvement and breaking free from negative patterns. The final lines call for working together to build a better world. Overall, "Goodtime" is an upbeat and positive song that encourages listeners to enjoy life while staying grounded in reality and striving for self-improvement and collective progress.
Line by Line Meaning
Though the world is cruel and blind
Despite the harshness and unfairness of the world
Let's have a good time
Let's enjoy ourselves and have fun
Get those problems out your head, put Your mama to bed
Forget your troubles and take a break from stress
But don't stray too far from reality or You will live In a dream world
Stay grounded and don't lose touch with the real world
Dreaming of things that there ain't no possibility, who Wee, believe me
Don't waste time fantasizing about unattainable things
Let's have a nice grooving time, but don't go too far From the truth in your mind
Enjoy the moment, but don't lose sight of what's important
Cause you'll drink and drive, and then You'll fly too High and so you'll pay the price for justa Feeling nice
Don't let temporary pleasures lead to reckless behavior and consequences
So many things to foresee, we were not Born to live this way
Life has more to offer than just survival and struggle
We were born having fun in the jungle of grace With plenty of food to eat, and plenty drink to drink
Life is meant to be enjoyed and savored
Liberate yourself from the state that you're in It stink, it stink, it stink
Free yourself from negative circumstances that hold you back
Mi sey to dance if y ou have to but don't Take no chance To be deceived, yea
Have fun, but be cautious and don't fall for tricks
The bass is heavy the drummer is steady Ooh, rhythm runs and it got you on the Floor cry out For more
The music is infectious and makes you want to move and dance
Your mind is your mind, I mean your body And your soul
Your entire being contributes to your experiences and feelings
Don't let material things they must not Keep you down
Don't let possessions or wealth hold you back or define you
A get on up, a get on up, I mean you do What I ya say I say
Motivate yourself and take action based on what you believe
Let's have a good time, yes educate Oneself
Enjoy life while also learning and growing
Let's have a good time, and liberate Oneself
Enjoy life while also freeing yourself from limitations
Don't be no fool today don't be so cruel Today
Avoid foolish or harmful behavior or actions
Let's work together yes, to build a better Place
Collaborate to improve society and the world
Melody Makers, more Melody Makers Let's have a good time
Celebrate music and the community of artists who create it
Melody Makers, more Melody Makers Melody Makers More Melody Makers, Let's have a good time
Encourage the creation and enjoyment of music by all
Let's have a good time
Continue to enjoy life and celebrate with music
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, ISHTI MUSIC INC
Written by: CEDELLA MARLEY, SHARON MARLEY, STEPHEN MARLEY, ZIGGY MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@scribescribe4289
Here is the difference, the heathen go against Jah plan and never repent
The righteous, ask God to move their steps, and to rightly guided
Jeremiah 10:23 or near that, look it up. the prayer of him says 'Lord, I know it is not for people to direct their steps.'
one must let go of the ego, the demon inside that wants , and wants
that is the meaning of "The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want"
this means to kill the fleshly desires, stop wanting things outside of what
God wants for you in your life
The meaning of the saying from David "I shall not want"
means simply: I shall not want anything other than what the Lord wants for me
It is to have joy, and to repent daily, that is the religion of Judah
that I and I am sent to the world to teach, I have been in hiding
2022 is when I begin to record with the reggae community
I am building a band and a camp, it is on over 100 acres
in the mountains above san luis obispo, I have no money
I have everything else, should you want not to help me ziggy
message someone who can, it need be a loyal member of Judah
who loves Most High, that is the person who will help I
for before David became king, he built a camp
RASTAFARI
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@tdhinternational8976
This one of my favourite melody maker's track, take me back to my school days. ππ
@wannabet2647
The cadence of the flow with back up singers, the ladies sound great, one of the happiest most chill songs, I love it. Iβm trying to make rap songs with a back up singers wailing on the hook. Thatβs a banger right there
@westlygraves4209
Thanks for the positive music and positive vibes ziggy"βsee dem fake leaders,π₯
@coolpoete
Awesome album. Lots of great memories during these earlier years. Will be putting this back in my music library rotation
@solinspired4428
Me too! I play the all the time my shop
@ambervisions
Thank you for the positive energy! It is soooo needed right now!
@hannahoron9740
I remember at the time I found it too difficult to accommodate to the new sound (not exactly roots reggae), but listening to the song now, I applaud the move from the "we are Marley so we have to make reggae music" sound! Actually, it was quite visionary. (Just a question aside about the video, do I see a young Stephen playing the saxophone? Ha, ha, ha! Great stuff, these old vids!) Thanks for sharing. Jah Bless!!!
@gemini787
Yes that's Stephen on the saxophone. They have 2 versions of this music video. This one is for the original album track. They also have a similar video for the remixed version of this song. Though I like both versions, I think my favorite is the remixed one.
@staceymcclain9875
Keep the Spirit high!
Been down with the Melody Makers since "Play the game right"! Never too much!π€
@SoulfulVeg
I had this CD many moons ago. Nice to hear this again