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.
Personal Revolution
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My own revolution
My very own revolution
I need, I need a revolution
My own revolution
My personal revolution
Heartbreak is so hard to take
Crying, crying, tears of change
Fighting, fighting, everyday
There must be a better way
I need, I need a revolution
My own revolution
My personal revolution
Baby I need, I need
A revolution, my own revolution
My personal revolution
Ay, I don't like the hypocrisy
Is this democracy?
There is no voice for me
In your philosophy
Tainted theology
Oh can you save me (who can save me)
Who can save me?
Revolution
Who gotta power, I do
Who got the say, I do (yeah)
Who got the play, I do
I will find a way
Who gotta power, I do (yeah)
Who got the say, I do (yeah)
Who got the play, I do
I will find a way
'Cause heartbreak is so hard to take
And then I lay down in the bed that I make
Crying, crying, tears of change
I'm fighting, fighting, everyday
I know there must be a better way
So I need, I need a revolution
My own revolution
My personal revolution
Babe I need, I need a revolution
My own revolution
My personal revolution
Who gotta power, I do
Who got the say, I do
Who got the play, I do
I will find a way
Who gotta power, I do (yeah)
Who got the say, I do (yeah)
Who got the play, I do
[Repeat: x4]
I will find a way
Revolution,
My own revolution
"Personal Revolution" by Ziggy Marley is a call for personal change and self-improvement. The song advocates for personal empowerment and revolution as a way to fight against heartbreak and the difficulties of life. The overall theme of the song is the need for individual action and not relying on others or institutions to create change.
The lyrics begin with the repeated phrase "I need a revolution" emphasizing Marley's desire for change in his life. He follows this up with "my own revolution, my personal revolution" implying that change must start within oneself. The song continues with Marley detailing his struggles with heartbreak and the need to find a way to better his life. He criticizes the hypocrisy and lack of democracy he sees in society and feels like he has no voice. In contrast, he repeats "who got the power" several times, affirming his belief in personal empowerment.
Throughout the song, Marley's lyrics are paired with a blend of reggae and rock music, giving the song an upbeat and uplifting vibe despite the serious nature of the lyrics. The song ends with Marley repeating "I will find a way" emphasizing his belief in the power of personal revolution to create change.
Line by Line Meaning
I need I need a revolution
The singer feels an inner need for a positive change
My own revolution
This revolution is personal and unique to him
My very own revolution
The singer emphasizes that this revolution he seeks is his alone
Heartbreak is so hard to take
The singer identifies that pain is difficult to bear
And I lay down in the bed that I make
He accepts responsibility for his actions and consequences
Crying, crying, tears of change
He expresses that crying can bring change and transition
Fighting, fighting, everyday
He asserts that one must persist in fighting for change
There must be a better way
He believes that there is an alternative way to live
Ay, I don't like the hypocrisy
He dislikes the double standard and false appearances
Is this democracy?
He questions the given system
There is no voice for me
He feels unheard and ignored
In your philosophy
He challenges the philosophy of the status quo, that does not include him
Tainted theology
He casts doubt on the religious beliefs that oppress him
Oh can you save me (who can save me)
He asks for help and wonders who can provide it
Revolution
He calls for a drastic change
Who gotta power, I do
He affirms that he has the power within himself
Who got the say, I do (yeah)
He claims his right to expression and decision-making
Who got the play, I do
He declares his ability to take action
I will find a way
He determines to discover a solution
Babe I need, I need a revolution
The singer reiterates his personal call for change
My own revolution
He emphasizes again that this revolution cannot come from anyone else
Who gotta power, I do (yeah)
He repeats his affirmation of self-empowerment
Who got the say, I do (yeah)
He restates his right to voice and opinion
Who got the play, I do
He restates his capacity to act and make a difference
I will find a way
He reasserts his determination and perseverance
Revolution, My own revolution
The song ends with the repetition of the main message, that he needs his own personal revolution to bring change in his life
Lyrics © ISHTI MUSIC INC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID NESTA MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rosie_nucci6137
Ziggy maravilhoso!!! Takeshi, estupendo!!! Músicos e estúdio maravilhosos!!!! Jah bless....
@dudeski55
This is just brilliant you can see the spirit and talent of Robert Nesta Marley lives on through his children
@09Jordan1111
I love videos from the studio. One of the best voices in all of music. Uplifiting
@horstschiblonski8675
Super Text,geile Musik,ein wirklich geiler Song Ziggy Marley,hut ab und meinen Respekt !
@OBISIKKID
i listened to this live, and it was just too much
@Rancochannel
grande ziggy!!! poco apprezzato in italia,ma grande x tutto il mondo!!!
@miRasJamal
great song. great album. i can only wish David would come milwaukee wi to promote this new album. brother stephen played here two weeks ago and absolutely gripped the crowd with a great show! just wanted to show full support of the wild and free album and Ziggy in his travels worldwide! jah bless and protect!
@katesolomons594
Love this <3
@migamilan
this songs speaks to me...thank you Ziggy
@SexySkittlez1
He sounds amazing :)