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.
I AM A HUMAN
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for so long?
Still the reasons for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Well, I am a child like her
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Muslim
I'm not a Jew, it shouldn't matter to you
I'm not a capitalist and I'm not a communist
I'm not a socialist, I'm not the politics
Tell me, are these the reasons, you can't live right?
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for too long?
Still the reasons for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Yes, I'm a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a soldier, I'm not a jihadist
I'm not a Buddhist, I'm not a Hindu
I'm not a "what", I am a "who"
I'm not black and I'm not white
Tell me, if this is why we fight?
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for so long?
Still the reasons for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Well, I am a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Muslim
I'm not a Jew, it shouldn't matter to you
I'm not a capitalist and I'm not a communist
I'm not a socialist, I'm not the politics
Tell me, are these the reasons, you can't live right?
I, I, I, I
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for too long?
Still the reasons for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Yes, I'm a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light (I, I, I, I)
I am a human (I, I, I, I)
Haven't I suffered for so long? (I, I, I,)
Still the reasons for hope (I, I, I, I)
Keep on holding on (I, I, I)
I am a human (I, I, I, I)
Yes, I am a child like her (I, I, I, I)
And if you look into my eyes (I, I, I, I, I)
Deep down there's a light
The lyrics of Ziggy Marley's "I Am a Human" are a powerful message of unity and tolerance. In the song, Ziggy Marley emphasizes his human identity, disassociating himself from any false dichotomies, such as religion or race, that can divide people. Through this message, he suggests that our common humanity should bring us together, instead of being used to justify conflict and discrimination.
The chorus "I am a human, haven't I suffered for so long?" expresses the shared experience of suffering that all humans go through at some point in their lives. This suffering can come in many forms, such as poverty, injustice, war, or discrimination. However, despite this pain, the song's message remains hopeful, as shown by the lyrics "Still the reasons for hope, keep on holding on."
The verse "I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Muslim, I'm not a Jew, it shouldn't matter to you" points to the problem of religious conflicts and intolerance that exist in the world. Similarly, the line "I'm not black and I'm not white, tell me if this is why we fight?" alludes to the destructive nature of racism and how it only serves to divide people.
Overall, "I Am a Human" is a call for empathy and compassion towards others. It stresses the importance of recognizing our shared humanity and breaking free from the divisions that threaten to tear us apart.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a human
I am not defined by race, religion, or politics, as I am ultimately a human being with inherent worth.
Haven't I suffered for so long?
I have endured hardship and struggle for a significant amount of time.
Still the reasons for hope
Despite my hardships, I remain optimistic and believe there are still reasons to have hope for the future.
Keep on holding on
I will continue to persevere and hold on during tough times.
Well, I am a child like her
I am just as vulnerable and deserving of empathy and care as a child.
And if you look into my eyes
If you take the time to truly see me as a person, you will understand the light and humanity within me.
Deep down there's a light
I possess a fundamental goodness and light that is present within all humans.
I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Muslim
My beliefs and faith do not define me, as I am more than my religious affiliation.
I'm not a Jew, it shouldn't matter to you
My ethnicity and cultural background do not determine my worth as a person.
I'm not a capitalist and I'm not a communist
My political beliefs and economic system preferences do not define me, as I am more than a political ideology.
I'm not a socialist, I'm not the politics
I choose not to identify with any political affiliation, as I am more than my political beliefs.
Tell me, are these the reasons, you can't live right?
Are you really going to let differences in race, religion, and politics prevent you from treating each other with empathy and respect?
I'm not a soldier, I'm not a jihadist
I do not believe in using violence to achieve my goals or solve conflicts.
I'm not a Buddhist, I'm not a Hindu
My personal beliefs and spirituality do not define me or my worth as a person.
I'm not a "what", I am a "who"
I am more than just a label or category, as I am a unique individual with a complex identity.
I'm not black and I'm not white
My race and skin color do not define me, as I am more than my physical appearance.
Tell me, if this is why we fight?
Are you really going to let differences in race and ethnicity cause conflict and division between us?
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: David Marley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SmoothNS
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for so long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Well, I am a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Muslim
I'm not a Jew, it shouldn't matter to you
I'm not a capitalist and I'm not a communist
I'm not a socialist, I'm not the politics
Tell me, are these the reasons, you can't live right?
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for too long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Yes, I'm a child like her
And if you look into my eye
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a soldier, I'm not a jihadist
I'm not a Buddhist, I'm not a Hindu
I'm not a "what", I am a "who"
I'm not black, and I'm not white
Tell me, if this is why we fight?
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for so long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Well, I am a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Muslim
I'm not a Jew, it shouldn't matter to you
I'm not a capitalist and I'm not a communist
I'm not a socialist, I'm not the politics
Tell me, are these the reasons, you can't live right?
I, I, I, I
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for too long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Yes, I'm a child like her
And if you look into my eye
Deep down there's a light
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for so long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Well, I am a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light
Rich Mikesell
Awesome song! If only the world would listen and take heed. Ziggy definitely has his father's spirit! Like father. Like son.
Venkata Rao
Greatest spirits carried by ziggy from his father. truly as you said hope the world around listens to this.
Nick Shipe
Listening in 2019...just had a conversation with my bro that if his pops was still around. His jams would sound like this. Love it!
Aline Marcantonio
esse som é dimais é épico❤
Ray Rastaman
What a message!! Love it!! I am a Human
Patrick Bryan
Lift up the consciousness to another level Ziggy....blessings
Thomas G Hallford Jr
🦁👨👩👧👧✌💖⚡💚💪
NEV Maryjush
This is GREAT and so wise.. I have been listening to this for the past 3 days, thank you Ziggy for sharing it with us! Share the fire, light up the hearts of people and make them wise!
Lore Gar
LOVE IS MY RELIGION!!!!! EXCELLENT SONG! SAY NO TO WAR!!!!!!!!!!
SmoothNS
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for so long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Well, I am a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Muslim
I'm not a Jew, it shouldn't matter to you
I'm not a capitalist and I'm not a communist
I'm not a socialist, I'm not the politics
Tell me, are these the reasons, you can't live right?
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for too long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Yes, I'm a child like her
And if you look into my eye
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a soldier, I'm not a jihadist
I'm not a Buddhist, I'm not a Hindu
I'm not a "what", I am a "who"
I'm not black, and I'm not white
Tell me, if this is why we fight?
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for so long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Well, I am a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light
I'm not a Christian, I'm not a Muslim
I'm not a Jew, it shouldn't matter to you
I'm not a capitalist and I'm not a communist
I'm not a socialist, I'm not the politics
Tell me, are these the reasons, you can't live right?
I, I, I, I
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for too long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Yes, I'm a child like her
And if you look into my eye
Deep down there's a light
I am a human
Haven't I suffered for so long?
Still the reason for hope
Keep on holding on
I am a human
Well, I am a child like her
And if you look into my eyes
Deep down there's a light