Bob Marley, modern day prophet?

Question

No seriously, everytime I feel his music I am so uplifted. So much of his music is full of joy and hope, even his songs about struggles. Am I the only way that feels like this after listening to Marley?

Answer 1

Couldn't agree with you more.

I have always loved his complexity as an artist; as you say, he can go from the pure sunshine of 'Three Little Birds', to the almost gospel effect of 'One Love', to bittersweet songs like 'Stop That Train' (one of my personal favourites). And he was fully capable of outright anger, too. These words from 'Crazy Baldheads':

"Them crazy, them crazy
We gonna chase those crazy
baldheads out of town
I and I build the cabins
I and I plant the corn
Didn’t my people before me
Slave for this country?
Now you look me with a scorn
Then you eat up all my corn
Build your penitentiary
We build your schools
Brain-wash education
To make us the fools…"

form a powerful statement against the continued oppression of the native Jamaicans; once exploited as slaves, they were now exploited as free men by being denied economic justice.

Bob Marley was simultaneously 'insular' - his Jamaican roots reggae often dealt with the average man's struggles against joblessness, hunger, and the lack of opportunity on the island - and 'universal' - a song like 'Get Up, Stand Up' resonates everywhere.

Even his angriest political statements were still motivated by his basic goal of human equality. I've often wondered, if he was alive today, whether Bob would have added real meaning to the meaningless role of 'UN Goodwill Ambassador' - such was his appeal across cultures and races.

A sad loss, and more so because one of my ALL-TIME favourite lyrics was written by him.

The song is called 'Trenchtown Rock', and it goes:

'One good thing about music
When it hits you, you feel no pain.'

Brilliant.

RIP.

Answer 2

You are not alone. I love ALL of Bob's songs but my favourite is "one love". Bob spoke out against all kinds of oppression but if you listen keenly he was quite a lover boy with songs like "turn your lights down low", "bend down low", "satisfy my soul" "stir it up" "all day all night" and "do it twice". We are considering making Bob a national hero here in Jamaica.

You should listen to Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer too. They were a part of Bob Marley and the Wailers. Peter Tosh was shot and killed but Bunny wailer is still alive.
Here are some links. The 1st one is Bob's official site. Enjoy!

http://www.bobmarley.com/life/
http://jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20030302t010000-0500_40414_obs_tosh_s_belmont_legacy.asp
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20041209T210000-0500_71123_OBS_BOB_MARLEY_FOR_NATIONAL_HERO.asp

You should come to Jamaica and visit the Bob Marley Museum soon. One Love.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I love his music too, it's incredible. But I suppose any music can be inspiring and uplifting to people, depending on what type of music they like.
It's incredible the way music can speak to a person's soul,and if his music speaks to your soul then I suppose he's a prophet for you.

Take care :)

Answer 5

You're not the only one, though I'm not with you. Still, I remember that after 9/11, a Tuesday, I was conscious of my first smile that week which came on Friday - when I heard "One Love" on the radio, with the lyric, "Have pity on those whose chances grows t'inner / There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation". Not the pity part, but the idea of no hiding place for those bastards who thought they were getting 72 virgins.