Quotes by Bob Marley
Welcome to our collection of quotes (with shareable picture quotes) by Bob Marley. We hope you enjoy pondering them and that you will share them widely.
Wikipedia Summary for Bob Marley
Robert Nesta Marley, (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and musician. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, as well as his distinctive vocal and songwriting style. Marley's contributions to music increased the visibility of Jamaican music worldwide, and made him a global figure in popular culture for over a decade. Over the course of his career Marley became known as a Rastafari icon, and he infused his music with a sense of spirituality. He is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican music and culture and identity, and was controversial in his outspoken support for the legalization of marijuana, while he also advocated for Pan-Africanism.
Born in Nine Mile, British Jamaica, Marley began his professional musical career in 1963, after forming Bob Marley and the Wailers. The group released its debut studio album The Wailing Wailers in 1965, which contained the single "One Love/People Get Ready"; the song was popular worldwide, and established the group as a rising figure in reggae. The Wailers subsequently released eleven further studio albums; while initially employing louder instrumentation and singing, the group began engaging in rhythmic-based song construction in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which coincided with the singer's conversion to Rastafari. During this period Marley relocated to London, and the group embodied their musical shift with the release of the album The Best of The Wailers (1971).
The group attained international success after the release of the albums Catch a Fire and Burnin' (both 1973), and forged a reputation as touring artists. Following the disbandment of the Wailers a year later, Marley went on to release his solo material under the band's name. His debut studio album Natty Dread (1974) received positive reception, as did its follow-up Rastaman Vibration (1976). A few months after the album's release Marley survived an assassination attempt at his home in Jamaica, which prompted him to permanently relocate to London. During his time in London he recorded the album Exodus (1977); it incorporated elements of blues, soul, and British rock and enjoyed widespread commercial and critical success.
In 1977, Marley was diagnosed with acral lentiginous melanoma; he died as a result of the illness in 1981. His fans around the world expressed their grief, and he received a state funeral in Jamaica. The greatest hits album Legend was released in 1984, and became the best-selling reggae album of all time. Marley also ranks as one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated sales of more than 75 million records worldwide. He was posthumously honored by Jamaica soon after his death with a designated Order of Merit by his nation. In 1994, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone ranked him No. 11 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Love hard when there is love to be had.
Longer Version/[Notes]:
Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don't exist, but there's always one guy that is perfect for you.
We should really love each other in peace and harmony, instead we're fussin' n fighting like we ain't supposed to be.
Until the philosophy Which hold one race superior And another inferior, Is finally and permanently, Discredited and abandoned Everywhere is war.
Longer Version/[Notes]:
Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war. And until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation, until the colour of a man's skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes. And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, there is war. And until that day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality, will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained... now everywhere is war.
- Popularized by Bob Marley in the song War.
Beginnings are usually scary, and endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living.
In their presence, there's no need for continuous conversation, but you find you're quite content in just having them nearby.
I do smoke, but I don't go through all this trouble just because I want to make my drug of choice legal. It's about personal freedom. We should have the right in this country to do what we want, if we don't hurt anybody.
All dese governments and dis this and that, these people that say they're here to help, why them say you cannot smoke the herb? Herb... herb is a plant, you know? And when me check it, me can't find no reason. All them say is, 'it make you rebel'. Against what?
Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.
Judge not, before you judge yourself.
Judge not, if you're not ready for judgment.
Longer Version/[Notes]:
Judge not, before you judge yourself.
Judge not, if you're not ready for judgment.
The Road of life is rocky and you may stumble too,
so while you talk about me, someone else is judging you.
God created people in technicolor. God has never made a difference between black, white, blue, green or pink.
Good friends we have had, oh good friends we've lost along the way
In this bright future you can't forget your past
So dry your tears I say.
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner, there ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation.
They gave me star treatment when I was making a lot of money. But I was just as good when I was poor.
Ziggy, when you go up bring me up and when you go down don't let me down. Stephen, Money can't buy you life.
You open your heart knowing that there's a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible.
Longer Version/[Notes]:
You open your heart knowing that there's a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that's so real it scares you.
Because when you unite, that is the power of God, you know. God love Love, which is unity. So when you unite, you get the whole power of God. That's what him want. Until Black people unite...if the Black people don't unite, the world, no one, no one can live good.
Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around.
Facts an' facts, an' t'ings an t'ings: dem's all a lotta fockin' bullshit. Hear me! Dere is no truth but de one truth, an' that is the truth of Jah Rastafari.
The winds that sometimes take something we love, are the same that bring us something we learn to love. Therefore we should not cry about something that was taken from us, but, yes, love what we have been given. Because what is really ours is never gone forever.
Music and herb go together. It's been a long time now I smoke herb. From 1960's, when I first start singing.
There comes a time as an artist, can't follow the crowd. You have to do YOU, and make the crowd follow you.
Man can't do without God. Just like you're thirsty, you have to drink water. You just can't go without God.
If you're white and you're wrong, then you're wrong; if you're black and you're wrong, you're wrong. People are people. Black, blue, pink, green -- God make no rules about color; only society make rules where my people suffer, and that why we must have redemption and redemption now.
He's not perfect. You aren't either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can.
Longer Version/[Notes]:
He's not perfect. You aren't either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn't going to quote poetry, he's not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don't hurt him, don't change him, and don't expect for more than he can give. Don't analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he's not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don't exist, but there's always one guy that is perfect for you.
She may not be the most popular or prettiest but if you love her and she makes you smile.. what else matters?
Rise O fallen fighters, rise and take your stance again, He who fight and run away, Live to fight another day.
You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that's so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end.
How good and how pleasant it would be before God and man, yeah to see the unification of all Africans.
You not supposed to feel down over whatever happen to you. I mean, you're supposed to use whatever happen to you as some type of upper, not a downer.
You just can't live that negative way.
You know what I mean. Make way for the positive day. Cause it's a new day.
I woke up this morning,
Smiled at the rising sun,
Three little birds,
Sat on my doorstep,
Singing sweet songs.
One love, one heart.
Longer Version/[Notes]:
One love, one heart ...
Let's get together and feel all right.
Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful.
What we struggle to make of it is our sole gift to Jah. The process of what that struggle becomes, in time, the Truth.
Life and Jah are one in the same. Jah is the gift of existence. I am in some way eternal, I will never be duplicated.
The best herb I smoke in Jamaica and Africa. African -- Rasclot! Them people cure it in a banana. In a banana skin. A green banana. They wrap it up in a banana so when you get it, it compressed and, I'll tell you, it great! Blood clot! In Nigeria and Ghana, love that herb! Good herb, mon.
Set it up in Zimbabwe, Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny, And in this judgment there is no partiality. So arm in arms, with arms, we'll fight this little struggle, 'Cause that's the only way we can overcome our little trouble.
To love is to risk, not being loved in return. to hope is to risk pain. to try is to risk failure. but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in my life is to risk nothing.
In high seas or in low seas,
I'm gonna be your friend...
I'm gonna be your friend.
In high tide or in low tide,
I'll be by your side...
I'll be by your side.
Life is one big road with lots of signs,
So when you riding through the ruts,
Don't you complicate your mind
Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy
Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality.
Who are you to judge the life I live?
I know I'm not perfect
-and I don't live to be-
but before you start pointing fingers...
make sure you hands are clean!
People want to listen to a message, word from Jah. This could be passed through me or anybody. I am not a leader. Messenger. The words of the songs, not the person, is what attracts people.
Babylon is everywhere. You have wrong and you have right. Wrong is what we call Babylon, wrong things. That is what Babylon is to me. I could have born in England, I could have born in America, it make no difference where me born, because there is Babylon everywhere.
You entertain people who are satisfied. Hungry people can't be entertained -- or people who are afraid. You can't entertain a man who has no food.
Me only have one ambition, y'know. I only have one thing I really like to see happen. I like to see mankind live together -- black, white, Chinese, everyone -- that's all.
The devil ain't got no power over me. The devil come, and me shake hands with the devil. Devil have his part to play. Devil's a good friend, too... because when you don't know him, that's the time he can mosh you down.
Quotes by Bob Marley are featured in:
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