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.
Lighthouse
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a part of me is missing,
Where the rivers used to flow
Hey mother, I know you must be sad
To see the things are happening
I'll fix it if I can
I'm holding up the fire
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
I'm holding up the fire (Holding up the fire)
Lighting up the sky (Lighting up the sky)
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
Hey brother, some things never change
Caesar's always Caesar, and night comes into day
Hey father, they sold you like a slave
To a world that takes everything,
And gives nothing away
I'm holding up the fire
Lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
I'm holding up the fire (Holding up the fire)
Lighting up the sky (Lighting up the sky)
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
Yeah, I'm holding up the fire
Lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
I'm holding up the fire (Holding up the fire)
Lighting up the sky (Lighting up the sky)
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
I'll bring you home alright
Holding up the fire,
I'm lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
I bring your home alright
Holding up the fire,
I'm lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
I bring your home alright
I'm holding up the fire,
Oh one love
The song "Lighthouse" by Ziggy Marley talks about the struggles of the world and the need for a guiding light to bring people back to safety. In the first verse, Ziggy addresses his sister and mother, acknowledging the cold emotions and emptiness he feels inside, and how the world has caused their sadness. He promises to be their lighthouse, a beacon that will bring them back to safety. In the second verse, he talks to his brother and father, discussing the idea that some things never change, such as the corrupt nature of Caesar and how the world takes and gives nothing back. Again, he promises to be their guiding light through the darkness. The chorus repeats the idea that Ziggy will hold up the fire, lighting up the sky like a lighthouse, and bring people home alright.
The message of this song is about love and hope. It serves as a reminder that even when things get tough, there will be someone who will light the way and bring us back home. It also serves as a call to action, urging listeners to be that lighthouse for others in their lives. The lyrics are full of poignant imagery, such as the reference to rivers that used to flow and the idea of holding up a fire to light up the sky.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey sister, the emotions have gone cold
The singer feels that they have become emotionally distant from their sister and that their relationship is cold.
And a part of me is missing,
The singer feels like they are not complete and that something is lacking in their life.
Where the rivers used to flow
The singer is referring to a time when things were better and simpler. Things have changed and they miss the way they used to be.
Hey mother, I know you must be sad
The artist understands that their mother is upset about the current situation.
To see the things are happening
The artist acknowledges that things are not going well and that their mother is aware of this.
I'll fix it if I can
The singer is willing to do what they can to rectify the situation and make things better.
Hey brother, some things never change
The singer is expressing their frustration with the fact that some things always remain the same and do not seem to improve.
Caesar's always Caesar, and night comes into day
The artist implies that powerful people will always maintain their power, and the cycle of day turning into night is never-ending.
Hey father, they sold you like a slave
The artist is addressing the oppression or injustice done to their father, possibly by society or the system.
To a world that takes everything,
The artist believes that the world is selfish and only takes from people without giving anything back.
And gives nothing away
The world is not charitable and doesn't provide assistance to those who need it.
I'm holding up the fire
The artist is determined to endure and persevere in the midst of difficult times.
Lighting up the sky
The singer is metaphorically spreading hope and positivity to the world.
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
The singer compares themselves to a lighthouse, which provides guidance to ships lost at sea, highlighting their role in providing guidance or hope to those in need.
Bring you home alright
The singer will ensure that those who are lost or struggling will find their way back to a safe place.
I'm holding up the fire (Holding up the fire)
Reiteration of the previous lines.
Lighting up the sky (Lighting up the sky)
Reiteration of the previous lines.
Yeah, I'm holding up the fire
The singer restates their resolve to push through difficult times.
I'll bring you home alright
The singer will ensure that people find security and safety even in challenging situations.
I'm holding up the fire (Holding up the fire)
Reiteration of the previous lines.
Lighting up the sky (Lighting up the sky)
Reiteration of the previous lines.
Holding up the fire,
Reiteration of the previous lines.
I'm lighting up the sky
Reiteration of the previous lines.
Oh one love
The artist emphasizes the idea of 'one love', unity, and universal compassion.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID NESTA MARLEY, SAM MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Causey
Love this Song
@agustinusadry2175
Hey sister, the emotions have gone cold
And a part of me is missing,
Where the rivers used to flow
Hey mother, I know you must be sad
To see the things are happening
I'll fix it if I can
I'm holding up the fire
Lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
I'm holding up the fire (Holding up the fire)
Lighting up the sky (Lighting up the sky)
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
Hey brother, some things never change
Caesar's always Caesar, and night comes into day
Hey father, they sold you like a slave
To a world that takes everything,
And gives nothing away
I'm holding up the fire
Lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
I'm holding up the fire (Holding up the fire)
Lighting up the sky (Lighting up the sky)
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
Yeah, I'm holding up the fire
Lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
Bring you home alright
I'm holding up the fire (Holding up the fire)
Lighting up the sky (Lighting up the sky)
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
I'll bring you home alright
Holding up the fire,
I'm lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
I bring your home alright
Holding up the fire,
I'm lighting up the sky
Like a lighthouse on the ocean,
I bring your home alright
I'm holding up the fire,
Oh one love
@alexander17venezuela
Bob must be very proud of you ziggy
@marcelo_koman
alexander boada Part of Bob is ziggy
@donmcallister3745
This song just makes me feel… good…. !!!
🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶❤️🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵
🌜🌞🌛
@Merrygreenleaf
I saw Ziggy sing this song on TV and it just reached out and grabbed my soul. I could feel everything like I haven't in a long, long time. T'anks Ziggy for keepin' the flame alive....Love, Peace n Rasta!
@Fellaroni
You are blessed from heaven you sing like and Engel
@user-in8os2or8w
The Marley's music comes from their everyday walk --inspired by their very exstence and daily happenings of their day
@ricanewell4806
This is one of the BEST songs ever recorded! ♥️
@joelwilson2604
💯
@podcastbyhardevsingh4672
Amazes me how these kind of singers don't have as many views some of the other ones. I'm from India, and don't know much about western music. But it surprises how crappy music gets so many views, when these kind of songs don't.