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.
Won't Let You Down
Ziggy Marley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll never forget
On your way up
Take me up
On your way down
I won't let you down
Where can I find my destiny?
I need to find some transportation
To the new iration
On your way up
Take me up
On your way down
Don't you let me down
On my way up
I will take you up
On my way down
I won't let you down
I sleep but my heart waketh
This is the voice that I heard, yeah
Take off my cloth but now I put it on
Love will never deny me
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I call on you, you call on me
Where can I find my destiny?
I got to find some transportation
To this new iration
On your way up
Will you take me up?
On your way down
Don't you let me down
On my way up
I will take you up
On my way down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I won't let you down
I'll take you up now
The lyrics of Ziggy Marley's "Won't Let You Down" are a heartfelt and uplifting message to a loved one or friend. The song begins with the line "Daddy said on his bed, I'll never forget," which represents the wisdom and advice passed down from generations before. The verses describe the ups and downs of life and the need for support from those around us. Ziggy Marley calls on the listener to join him on his journey, asking, "On your way up, will you take me up? On your way down, don't you let me down."
The chorus repeats several times, with the message being clear: "I won't let you down, I'll take you up now." Ziggy Marley's lyrics serve as a reminder to all of us that we don't have to go through life's challenges alone. Whether we're going up or down, we can count on the people we love to be there for us. The final lines of the song, "I got to find some transportation to this new iration," suggest that the journey of life is ever-evolving, and there's always something new to discover and learn.
Overall, "Won't Let You Down" is a beautiful and inspiring song that encourages us to be there for one another and to never give up hope in the face of adversity.
Interesting Facts:
1. "Won't Let You Down" was released on Ziggy Marley's fourth studio album, "Love Is My Religion," in 2006.
2. The song was a hit in Japan, where it reached the top of the charts and stayed there for several weeks.
3. Ziggy Marley won a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album for "Love Is My Religion" in 2007.
4. The music video for "Won't Let You Down" features footage of Ziggy Marley touring Japan and performing live.
5. A remix of the song by DJ Premier was released in 2007.
6. Ziggy Marley wrote the song after the birth of his first child, Judah.
7. "Love Is My Religion" was the first album to be released under Ziggy Marley's independent record label, Tuff Gong Worldwide.
8. The album also features collaborations with a number of artists, including Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, and Paul Simon.
9. The album's title track was also a hit, reaching number 11 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.
10. Ziggy Marley has said that he wrote "Won't Let You Down" to express his love and commitment to his friends and family.
Chords: Unfortunately, the chords are unavailable as of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Daddy said on his bed
My father told me something precious and I remember it vividly
I'll never forget
I will always keep my father's words close to my heart
On your way up
Take me up
On your way down
I won't let you down
No matter where life takes you, I will be there for you and support you, both in your achievements and in your struggles
I call on you, you call on me
Where can I find my destiny?
I need to find some transportation
To the new iration
I am reaching out to others for help in finding my purpose and direction in life, and seeking a way to join a new movement or community
On my way up
I will take you up
On my way down
I won't let you down
As I succeed and grow, I will bring others with me, and no matter what challenges I face, I will remain loyal and supportive to those who rely on me
I sleep but my heart waketh
This is the voice that I heard, yeah
Take off my cloth but now I put it on
Love will never deny me
Even when I am asleep, my heart is awake and listening to the call of love and compassion, which motivates me to take action and never give up on my goals
I won't let you down
I'll take you up now
I promise to support and uplift you, and I am ready to act on that promise in the present moment
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID MARLEY, ZIGGY MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
James Venden
I remember getting this album the day it was released. Ziggy, Stephen, Cedella and Sharon Bless. For 20 plus years this album has not let me down....Bless up always. Respect🤙❤💛💚
Kevin Siebert
this song is very special,with a ,i would say heavenly vibe
God bless you Ziggy Marley,i wish you everything good that you deserve
Hannah Oron
Listening to this song for the first time, I sudddenly start thinking about how in 1999 my life came crashing down: I lost my job, my house, my friends ... and my waistline (almost funny) ... Would that I had had some special one who had comforted me with these words: Won't Let You Down. Never too late though! Thank you, Ziggy. Jah Bless!
Willful Growth
❤💛💚
Always V
2022