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 Don't Want To Live On Mars
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna drive space cars
I just wanna be with you
And do the things we do
Don't want to escape to the moon
Even if the world went boom
I just want to be with you
And do the right things to you
You give me everything I need
You're my garden, You're my breeze
Let me get down, and thank you please
Hey let me lay here for a while,
'Cause you're beauty makes me high
If you cry then I will cry
Yeah, let me make one thing clear
Nothing can compare
You're love is the blue sky
You're love is a butterfly
I don't want to live on mars
I don't want to drive space cars
I just want to be with you
And do the things we do
Don't want to escape to the moon
Even if the world went boom
I just want to be with you
And do the right things to you
Oh good karma you're my queen,
Precious things my eyes have seen
Sweetest place I've ever been
You make me feel just like a king,
I'll never leave you for that girl
Oh my darling you're my world
That witch called winter is so mean,
Summers that I've never seen,
They say I'm love crazy, love crazy
Can't take the heat turn down the fire
Can't swim don't tempt the waters
Believe what you want, this is my point of view
I wanna be cool, so let me get through to you
I don't want to live on mars
I don't want to drive space cars
I just want to be with you
And do the things we do
Don't want to escape to the moon
Even if the world went boom
I just want to be with you
And do the right things to you
I don't want to live on mars
I don't want to drive space cars
I just want to be with you
And do the things we do
Don't want to escape to the moon
Even if the world went boom
I just want to be with you
And do the right things to you
In "I Don't Wanna Live On Mars," Ziggy Marley expresses his desire for a simple and fulfilling life with his significant other, rather than chasing futuristic aspirations of space exploration. He repeatedly emphasizes his need to be with his partner, and the contentment and joy that they bring him. He describes how their love is the most important and valuable thing to him, and how he never wants to be apart from them, even in the face of global disasters. He symbolizes the strength of their love with the natural imagery of a garden, a breeze, a blue sky, and a butterfly.
Additionally, Marley touches on the idea of karma, praising its positive effects on his life and his relationship with his partner. He declares that he could never leave them for another person, and laments the harshness of winter and the beauty of undiscovered summers. The final chorus emphasizes Marley's point of view that his path to a fulfilling life does not involve extraterrestrial exploration, but rather the love and companionship of those closest to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't wanna live on mars
I do not desire to reside on the planet Mars
I don't wanna drive space cars
I have no interest in operating space cars
I just wanna be with you
All I want is to be with my beloved
And do the things we do
And engage in the activities that we usually partake in together
Don't want to escape to the moon
I have no desire to flee to the moon
Even if the world went boom
Even if some catastrophic event were to occur
I just want to be with you
My only wish is to be with my partner
And do the right things to you
And treat you with respect and kindness
You give me everything I need
You provide me with all that I require to be content
You're my garden, You're my breeze
You are my sanctuary, my comfort zone
Let me get down, and thank you please
I want to express my gratitude to you
Hey let me lay here for a while,
Allow me to remain in your company for some time
'Cause you're beauty makes me high
Your beauty is overwhelming and makes me feel euphoric
If you cry then I will cry
If you become emotional, then I will become emotional too
Yeah, let me make one thing clear
Allow me to clarify one point
Nothing can compare
Nothing can match the value of your love
You're love is the blue sky
Your love is synonymous with a beautiful sky
You're love is a butterfly
Your love is like a delicate butterfly
Oh good karma you're my queen,
You are my queen, my good fortune
Precious things my eyes have seen
You are one of the most valuable things I have ever encountered
Sweetest place I've ever been
Being with you is the most pleasant experience I have ever had
You make me feel just like a king,
You make me feel special and esteemed
I'll never leave you for that girl
I will never abandon you for another woman
Oh my darling you're my world
You are the center of my universe
That witch called winter is so mean,
The season of winter can be harsh and unforgiving
Summers that I've never seen,
I've never experienced such pleasant summers before
They say I'm love crazy, love crazy
They say I'm obsessed with love
Can't take the heat turn down the fire
If things become too intense, it's best to take a step back and lower the intensity level
Can't swim don't tempt the waters
If you're not equipped to handle something, it's best to avoid it
Believe what you want, this is my point of view
You're welcome to hold your own beliefs, but this is how I see things
I wanna be cool, so let me get through to you
I want to maintain a calm demeanor, so let me explain my perspective to you
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, ISHTI MUSIC INC
Written by: DAVID MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Alpha-hv9ve
This song helped me so much: It prevented me from committing certain acts while I was depressed. There was a time when I no longer wanted to stay on earth, I wanted to go to space, but this song put some sense into me. It helped true the hard times.
@lythalmind
I remember when this song came out i thought it was gonna be a lot bigger. Such an amazing song and great visuals i wish it got more attention.
@nicolasdujardin5691
Just a song to the people to remember to take care of our planet,cause its the best home we have!
@MsJuniorgong
Marleys are going on the exactly right direction!!! 1LOVE!!!! Brazil and China are together with you always in our hearts :)
@ghaddiruelas8819
these types of songs always raise my vibrations
@paprikadevetsedam767
Good song to remember us to take care of our planet(i hope it is not too late), but i would actually love to live on Mars, and i have no doubt it will happen in 30-40 years :)
@maryellendavis722
LOVE THIS MAKES ME HAPPY!!!!!!
@ghfpv
Long live Ziggy an Amazing Musician :)
@MrBassab
Reggae Music is always happy lol
@jessihedding8886
Your dad was and is amazing