They formed the Melody Makers when they were teenagers in 1979, and recorded "Children Playing in the Streets" with their father. They went on to perform at their father's funeral in 1981.
The band's popularity was at its highest during 1988, prompting a major record deal with Virgin Records. Shortly thereafter, the group released "Conscious Party," their third album. On the album was the hit single "Tomorrow People," and the album went on to earn a well-deserved Grammy.
What Conquers Defeat
Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Unless you know the score
You can't tell you're losing
Unless you feel the agony
Then you know what conquers defeat
Hey you don't know you're winning
Brother, unless you know the score
Unless you feel the agony
Then you know what conquers defeat
Say, can't win them all, won't lose them all
It's like you win some, and then you lose some
Lose some and then you win some
But you know what conquers defeat
What conquers defeat yeah, conquers defeat
Say the competition higher, nah guh gi yu nuh blie
We thinking about the youths dem
Youths from longer time
We thinking about the youths dem
Youth longer time
Oh, said the competition high, naah guh
Pass unuh by
Can't win them all, won't lose them all
Is like you win some, then you lose some
Lose some brother, win some
Then you know, hey it's trouble on the road
Said it conquers defeat, it conquers defeat
I said it conquers defeat, it conquers defeat
Brother it conquers defeat, yes sister it
Conquers defeat
Hey it conquers defeat
Yes, then you know it conquers defeat
Then you know, it conquers defeat
The lyrics of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers's song "What Conquers Defeat" deal with the idea of winning and losing, and how these two opposite experiences are interconnected. The first stanza states the importance of knowing the score to understand if you're winning or losing, and how feeling the agony of defeat is crucial to appreciate the sweetness of victory. The chorus reinforces this message, highlighting that winning and losing are part of life, and what ultimately conquers defeat is the resilience to keep trying and the determination not to give up.
The second stanza shifts the focus to competition, acknowledging that it can be tough and challenging, but always keeping in mind the importance of thinking about the youth and their future. Competing can be a way to inspire and motivate others, but it's important not to let it define who you are. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing the message that what conquers defeat is the courage to keep going despite the obstacles and setbacks.
Overall, the song encourages a positive mindset and a never-give-up attitude, recognizing that success and failure are part of a larger cycle and that what truly matters is the inner strength and resilience to overcome adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know what you're winning
If you don't understand the rules, you can't recognize what you've won.
Unless you know the score
It is essential to understand how points are awarded in order to grasp the significance of a win.
You can't tell you're losing
Without the ability to recognize when you are falling behind, it's impossible to evaluate your performance.
Unless you feel the agony
Only by experiencing the pain of loss can someone appreciate the importance of victory.
Then you know what conquers defeat
By understanding the importance of adversity, one can aspire to overcome it.
Say, can't win them all, won't lose them all
No one can expect to win every time or lose every time.
It's like you win some, and then you lose some
Success and failure are both natural and common occurrences in any competition.
Lose some and then you win some
One cannot conquer defeat without experiencing it first, and then using it as motivation to succeed.
But you know what conquers defeat
With a resilient spirit and determination to learn and improve, one can conquer defeat.
Say the competition higher, nah guh gi yu nuh blie
The level of competition is high, and one should not be misled into thinking that victory is inevitable.
We thinking about the youths dem
It is important to keep young people in mind when striving for success, as they represent future generations.
Youths from longer time
The well-being and potential of young people has always been a concern and priority.
Oh, said the competition high, naah guh
The competition is tough and cannot be underestimated.
Pass unuh by
Not everyone can win, and some may have to set their sights on a different goal.
Then you know, hey it's trouble on the road
Obstacles and challenges inevitably accompany any competitive journey.
Said it conquers defeat, it conquers defeat
By learning lessons from loss and persevering through adversity, one can ultimately overcome the obstacle of defeat.
I said it conquers defeat, it conquers defeat
A positive attitude and the willingness to learn and improve can ultimately defeat the negative effects of loss and failure.
Brother it conquers defeat, yes sister it
All individuals can benefit from adopting a mindset of self-improvement and resilience when facing obstacles.
Conquers defeat
The greatest victory is overcoming the adversity of defeat and using it as motivation to succeed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: STEPHEN MARLEY, ZIGGY MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind