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 โ 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.
Move Your Body
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Don't need more sugar
Don't need more sugar
What? You don't need sugar
You need no more sugar
Move your hands, move your feet (I've got this energy)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (it wants to be free from me)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (yes I'm gonna let it go)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (I feel this energy)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (and it needs to be free from me)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (yes I'm gonna let it go)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet
Move your body to the beat
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Move your hands, move your feet (when you've got that energy)
Move your body to the beat (you've got to let it go)
Move your hands, move your feet (when you've got that energy)
Move your body to the beat (you've got to let it go)
Move your hands, move your feet (and it needs to be free from me)
Move your body to the beat
Move your body to the beat (and it needs to be from me)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (when you've got that energy)
Move your body to the beat (you've got to let it go)
Move your hands, move your feet (when you've got that energy)
Move your body to the beat (you've got to let it go)
Move your body to the beat (and it needs to be free from me)
Move your body to the beat
Move your body to the beat (and it needs to be from me)
Move your body to the beat
The way we make you move your body
They probably think we're all related
You know I stay committed and I'm always obligated
And if you think you're shining better know we come to take it
You know exactly what I rep don't even try debate it
Know I'm repping for my people 'til it put me in a Hearse (yeah)
And if you violate, you'll probably feel it when it burst
'Cause when it come to the turn up boy
You know it's bound to get worse
And if unnuh want to to keep the energy
Tell dem pull up, rewind di verse
Busta Buss and Ziggy link up, beg somebody call a nurse
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Move your hands, move your feet (I've got this energy)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (it wants to be free from me)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (yes I'm gonna let it go)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (I feel this energy)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (and it needs to be free from me)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet (yes I'm gonna let it go)
Move your body to the beat
Move your hands, move your feet
Move your body to the beat
Move your body to the beat
Move your body to the beat
Move your body to the beat
Move your body to the beat
Move your body to the beat
In Ziggy Marleyโs song Move Your Body, one can interpret it as promoting physical energy and movement. The repeated phrase โmove your hands, move your feet, move your body to the beatโ denotes the encouragement for people to dance and be active. The verse โdonโt need more sugar, you need no more sugarโ is possibly a call to avoid excessive carbs and sugar and instead channel that energy into physical activity. The chorusโs repetition of โBoomshika boomโ and โLa-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-lowโ adds to the fun and upbeat nature of the song.
The rap verse by Busta Rhymes shifts the focus to the energy and power of the song. It begins โThe way we make you move your body, they probably think weโre all related. You know I stay committed, and Iโm always obligated.โ The section may suggest that the songโs energy connects all people, and the artist believes in delivering this energy through his music. The motif of โtalkingโ to the listener is emphasized in the following lyrics, โYou know exactly what I rep, donโt even try debate it,โ and โAnd if unnuh want to keep the energy, Tell dem pull up, rewind di verse.โ
In conclusion, Ziggy Marleyโs song Move Your Body promotes physical movement, dancing, and harnessing one's energy for good. The upbeat and catchy nature of the song invites the listener to shake off any lethargy and dance along.
Line by Line Meaning
Boomshika-boom, boomshika-boom
A rhythmic exclamation meant to intensify the energy in the room.
Don't need more sugar
There's enough excitement without any more stimulation.
What? You don't need sugar
Repeating the previous line, emphasizing that we don't need any extra stimulation.
You need no more sugar
Stating the point that there's enough stimulation already.
Move your hands, move your feet (I've got this energy)
Encouraging the listener to channel their energy into movement.
Move your body to the beat
Inviting the listener to let themselves be completely absorbed by the rhythm.
Move your hands, move your feet (it wants to be free from me)
Suggesting that the energy driving the listener's movement is an innate part of themselves.
Move your hands, move your feet (yes I'm gonna let it go)
Affirming that it's okay to let go and indulge in the energy driving their movement.
Move your hands, move your feet
Reiterating that the movement should be full and unbridled, extending to the hands as well as the feet.
Move your hands, move your feet (I feel this energy)
Confirming that the listener is picking up on the energy and letting themselves be driven by it.
Move your hands, move your feet (and it needs to be free from me)
Acknowledging that the energy pushing the listener to move is not something under their strict control, and so it's best to surrender to it entirely.
La-lee-lay-lee-la-lee-low
A vocalization meant to be pleasing to the ear and add to the atmosphere of the performance.
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Another vocalization meant to reinforce the atmosphere.
The way we make you move your body
Acknowledging the power of the performance to inspire movement and energy.
They probably think we're all related
Observing that the performers might seem closely connected to their audience based on the level of synchronization and shared energy between them.
You know I stay committed and I'm always obligated
Asserting that the performers are dedicated to their craft and responsible to their fans.
And if you think you're shining better know we come to take it
Warning that the performers are ready to take the spotlight and demand the attention of the audience.
You know exactly what I rep don't even try debate it
Asserting that the performer's identity and their message are already clear and don't require further explanation or justification.
Know I'm repping for my people 'til it put me in a Hearse (yeah)
Declaring that the performer is fully committed to advocating for their community and will do so until the very end.
And if you violate, you'll probably feel it when it burst
Threatening that anyone who challenges the performer will likely suffer the consequences.
'Cause when it come to the turn up boy
Partially repeating a lyric from earlier to reemphasize the theme of letting loose and indulging in frenetic energy.
You know it's bound to get worse
Observing that even as we channel our energy, it will keep building and intensifying into something even wilder.
And if unnuh want to to keep the energy
Directly addressing the audience and inviting them to sustain this energy.
Tell dem pull up, rewind di verse
Suggesting that the best way to maintain the energy is to keep the music playing and repeating a verse that particularly caught the listener's attention.
Busta Buss and Ziggy link up, beg somebody call a nurse
Bringing the song to a close with a playful reference to a collaboration between Ziggy Marley and Busta Rhymes, and implying that their performance is so powerful it warrants medical attention.
Lyrics ยฉ Regard Music
Written by: David Marley, Trevor Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adrienne Woodfork
This is a great make the kids dance ๐ song !!!! We all could use this right now Jump Around!!! โค๏ธโ ๏ธ๐
Zalias Vicente
Iniciei os torneados do dia com fundo musical By Ziggy!!! Reggae, Love e Arte!!! A-braรงos-de-Paz daqui do Brasil!!!
JUGGALO HIP HOP EMPORIUM & MORE
LOVE it
Bryan Luntz
Great collaboration
That Jamaican vibe is right on
Salvador Mulgado
Viva Mรฉxico!! Viva the Marley legacy ๐ฏ๐ฒโค๏ธ
Matty M
This song is awesome
Neat Technologiestz
Creativity makes legends!!!!
Go Greater Good
"We have to find good, we have to find some way to do it. Like, I'm just determined to find the way not to be down, down down.
It's easy to be down now. It's so easy. [But] I'm determined. It's a determination.
And it makes me feel good, so I think itโs a selfish reason why Iโm so positive. Because I want to feel good. And positivity brings that goodness to me."
โ Ziggy Marley
(9.18.20 interview w/ James Corden on his new kids' album - which in my humble opinion is def for adults also โบ๏ธ!)
B S
Move ur body๐๐๐Lalalalalala๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ
Energy๐๐๐
Zuri Moore
Nice BEAT ZIGGY ONE LOVE AND UNITY BLESS UP MY BROTHER ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐๐๐๐๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐ง ๐ง ๐ง ๐๐พ๐๐พ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ ๐