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.
Lyin' In Bed
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He helped me to overcome
I remember once I couldn't get out of bed
So I sing and say, yeah.
Lying in bed got nothing to do
No one to rub my head
Playing my guitar my only friend
Don't wanna land it
Wanna get out instead
I wanna feel free with activity.
Above my bed bob face us all
Looking at me so passionately
Well in his eyes I saw the truth
The truth of a rastaman
The truth of a higher man.
To the bridge
Don't wanna land it
Wanna get out instead
I wanna feel free with activity
Well I got lots and lots of company yeah
Alot of good vibes flowing around me
Nurses coming and wondering, o god
Is this really Ziggy Marley.
Lying in bed got nothing to do
No one to rub my head
Strumming my guitar my only friend
Its gonna last me till the end
Above my bed bob face us all, my daddy
Looking at me so passionately, lil brother
Well in his eyes I saw the truth, my name
The truth of a rastaman
The truth of a higherman.
Rastafari no, I n I give praises
I n I thank jah for, his health
If it was not for him
What would I, what would I've done
So I say amen.
Don't wanna land it
Wanna get out instead
I wanna feel free with activity
Don't wanna land it
Wanna get out instead
I wanna feel free with activity
Don't wanna land it
Wanna get out instead
I wanna feel free with activity
"Lyin' in Bed" by Ziggy Marley is a song about overcoming a difficult time in his life. At the beginning of the song, he praises God for helping him overcome his struggles. In the chorus, he talks about feeling trapped and bored while lying in bed with nothing to do, and how his guitar is his only friend that will last him until the end. In the second verse, Marley mentions the portraits of his father Bob Marley and brother that are hanging above his bed. Through their eyes, he sees the truth of a Rastaman and a higher man. The song ends with Marley expressing his gratitude to Jah for his health and ability to enjoy life.
The first verse of the song describes a time when Ziggy Marley couldn't get out of bed, likely due to an illness or injury. He mentions overcoming this period, which could represent a larger struggle in his life. By making music and expressing himself through his guitar, he is able to escape his boredom and find joy in his situation. The portraits of his father and brother serve as a reminder of their legacies and teachings, which he sees as important truths to live by.
Overall, "Lyin' in Bed" is a song that celebrates the power of music, faith, and self-expression to overcome difficult times. By finding a creative outlet, Marley is able to feel free and maintain his connection to the world. The song can be interpreted as a hopeful message for anyone struggling with adversity to stay strong and find joy in the journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Praise god I say, praise god each day.
Expressing gratitude to the Almighty, every single day.
He helped me to overcome
Acknowledging that God helped me to overcome my struggles and obstacles.
I remember once I couldn't get out of bed
Recounting a time when I was unable to get out of bed due to my poor health.
So I sing and say, yeah.
Finding solace and comfort in music and expressing my gratitude to God.
Lying in bed got nothing to do
Feeling bored and unoccupied while lying in bed.
No one to rub my head
Feeling lonely and wishing for someone to comfort me.
Playing my guitar my only friend
Finding solace in playing music and using my guitar as my companion.
Its gonna last me till the end
Believing that my love for music will never fade away.
Don't wanna land it
Preferring not to dwell on bad situations.
Wanna get out instead
Desiring to break free from confinement and enjoy life.
I wanna feel free with activity.
Expressing the need to engage in activities that make me feel free and happy.
Above my bed bob face us all
Referring to a picture of Bob Marley that is above my bed.
Looking at me so passionately
Feeling as if Bob Marley is gazing at me with love and affection.
Well in his eyes I saw the truth
Feeling as if Bob Marley's eyes revealed a deeper truth to me.
The truth of a rastaman
Perceiving Bob Marley's message of Rastafarianism.
The truth of a higher man.
Feeling that Bob Marley was a spiritually elevated person.
Don't wanna land it
Preferring not to dwell on bad situations.
Wanna get out instead
Desiring to break free from confinement and enjoy life.
I wanna feel free with activity
Expressing the need to engage in activities that make me feel free and happy.
Well I got lots and lots of company yeah
Realizing that I am not alone and that there are people who care for me.
Alot of good vibes flowing around me
Feeling the positive energy of those around me.
Nurses coming and wondering, o god
Being visited by nurses who are caring and compassionate.
Is this really Ziggy Marley.
Feeling surprised that the nurses are visiting a famous person like me.
Strumming my guitar my only friend
Playing my guitar as a way to cope with my current situation.
Its gonna last me till the end
Believing that my love for music will never fade away.
Above my bed bob face us all, my daddy
Having a picture of my father, Bob Marley, above my bed.
Looking at me so passionately, lil brother
Feeling as if Bob Marley is lovingly watching over me like a younger brother.
Well in his eyes I saw the truth, my name
Feeling that Bob Marley's eyes revealed a deeper truth about my own identity.
Rastafari no, I n I give praises
Giving thanks to God, in the Rastafarian tradition.
I n I thank jah for, his health
Expressing gratitude to God for good health.
If it was not for him
Realizing that without the help of God, my situation could have been much worse.
What would I, what would I've done
Contemplating how my life would be different without the guidance and protection of God.
So I say amen.
Concluding my thoughts with a prayer or affirmation of faith.
Lyrics © Regard Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ZIGGY MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Damnzz
met dezelfde handgebaar als op de foto lig ik altijd in bed
(ik hoor je lachen op LFG)
hoe ik lig
hoe ik voel
hoe ik gedraag
hoe ik beweeg
kan je allemaal terug zien
met beelden
overal waar ik ben
en overal waar ik ga
(totale overname van lichaam)
@crischeleroberson832
I remember our neighbor lending this cassette to my father..... Needless to say, I heard this song and our neighbor never got it back.
@phumzompayipeli280
I was introduced to this Song by a late friend of mine We grew up together ... My uncle got hold of the tape and I never got it back 😂🙈😂🤣😂😂🙈😂😂😂😃...
@al-guerilla
I was stationed @ Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany in l8 80s when i was smitten w/the Respect & Love 4 this son & bro. 4 upholdin & havin the honor & gratitude 4 his father. I, now, kno - 4 CERTAIN - what the loss of a True Father feels like. Blessings un2 All The RIGHTEOUS
@rosspurcell4562
So many good memories to this song 🎵 💓
@shawannaanderson3226
Omg the Marley’s have a song for so many occasions. Lol I love it!
@CafeAulait01
This is one of the songs that got me hooked on Ziggy. Jah bless One Love
@trout3115
Yeah man... That's what I'm saying. Selah.
@tavorodriguez
Ziggy was a great son for Bob, having made this song for him it is of a man with a great heart and LOVE for his father... in God Bob will always be!
@trout3115
He's ALWAYS carried on the spirit of roots reggae that he learned from the best of all time. The songs that echo thru time cuz they're life songs that all of us can relate to. In that way that only a Marley can do. Jah bless for all of us. One Love.
❤️💛💚🔥
@justis142
love this cut makes me cry true love for a father from his son 20 years later i still know the lyrics