David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born October 17, 1968 in Saint Ann Parish, ghet… Read Full Bio ↴David Nesta "Ziggy" Marley (born October 17, 1968 in Saint Ann Parish, ghetto of Trenchtown, Jamaica), composer, singer and guitarist, is a multiple Grammy-winning (reggae) Jamaican musician. He is known for songs like "Tomorrow People", "Love Is My Religion" and "A Lifetime", He is the oldest son in the marriage between the singer Rita Anderson (Marley) and late legendary reggae Bob Marley. David's father Bob nicknamed him "Ziggy". A ziggy is a big marijuana spliff on Jamaiaca.

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.

Wings of an Eagle
Ziggy Marley Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If I have the wings of an eagle
If I have the wings of an eagle
I would fly,fly away
Flyyyyyyy awayyyyyyy and beeeeee at rest

If I have the wings of an eagle
If I have the wings of an eagle
I would fly,fly away

Flyyyyyyy awayyyyyyy and beeeeee at rest

Oh,
Since I have no wings [Repeat x3]
I'm gonna sing,sing,sing,eh

Since I have no wings [Repeat x3]
I'm gonna sing,sing,sing,sing

If I have the wings of an eagle
If I have the wings of an eagle,oh oh oh
I would fly,fly away
Flyyyyyyy awayyyyyyy and beeeeeee at rest

(melody)

If I have the wings of an eagle
If I have the wings of an eagle
I would fly,fly away
Flyyyyyyy awayyyyyyy and beeeeeee at rest

Oh,
Since I have no wings [Repeat x3]
I'm gonna sing,sing,sing,eh

Since I have no wings [Repeat x3]
I'm gonna sing,sing,sing,sing

If I have the wings of an eagle
If I have the wings of an eagle

I would fly,fly away,
Flyyyyyyy awayyyyyyy and beeeeee at rest

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song 'Wings of an Eagle' by Ziggy Marley appear to refer to the desire to be free from the worldly problems and constraints one encounters in life. The repetition of the phrase 'fly away and be at rest' seems to be a desire for the freedom that can only come from escaping from the day-to-day burdens of life. The eagle is an animal that symbolizes freedom, strength, and power. By saying, "If I have the wings of an eagle," it is as if the singer is imagining what it would be like to have the strength and freedom of this mighty bird.

The singer seems to accept that they don't have the physical capability to fly like an eagle, but instead, they will find their own freedom through singing. Singing here could mean a multitude of things, such as expressing oneself, finding joy, finding peace or putting one's heart and soul into something. It's a way for the singer to break free from the confines of their reality and feel as though they too can make a difference in their own way. The repetition at the end of the song drives the point home that singing is the singer's way of finding freedom and rest.

Line by Line Meaning

If I have the wings of an eagle
Expressing a desire for the freedom and strength of an eagle's wings.

If I have the wings of an eagle
Reiterating the desire for the aforementioned freedom and strength.

I would fly,fly away
The literal act of flying away into the distance and away from current circumstances.

Flyyyyyyy awayyyyyyy and beeeeee at rest
Finding a sense of peace and relaxation in the freedom of flight.

Since I have no wings [Repeat x3]
Acknowledging the lack of the desired freedom and strength.

I'm gonna sing,sing,sing,eh
Turning to music as a form of release and expression in the absence of physical flight.

If I have the wings of an eagle,oh oh oh
Repeating the desire for freedom and strength.

Oh
An expression of emotion, possibly frustration or resignation.

(melody)
No specific meaning, just the continuation of the tune.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID NESTA MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it