Better to die fighting for freedom then be a prisoner all the days of your life.
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Bob Marley emphasizes the importance of the message over the messenger, suggesting that the essence of the message is what resonates with people.
In this quote, Bob Marley expresses his belief that the true value of artistic expression lies in the message conveyed rather than who delivers it. He positions himself not as a leader but as a messenger, highlighting that the profound words in his songs are what draw people in and connect with them on a deeper level. By doing so, he underscores the power of music as a universal language that transcends the individual and speaks to a collective experience.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the power of communication in music.
More from Bob Marley
All quotes →Don't worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright
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.
I'n'I nah come to fight flesh and blood, But spiritual wickedness in 'igh and low places. So while they fight you down, Stand firm and give Jah thanks and praises. 'Cos I'n'I no expect to be justified by the laws of men - by the laws of men. Oh, true they have found me guilty, But through - through Jah proved my innocency.
Life is one big road with lots of signs, _x000D_ So when you riding through the ruts, _x000D_ Don't you complicate your mind _x000D_ Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy _x000D_ Don't bury your thoughts; put your vision to reality.
If something can corrupt you, you're corrupted already.
Similar quotes
When I go to a gig and I hear a song that I really like, a song that hits home to me or hits an emotional nerve, if I could ever recreate that for someone, that would be the ultimate goal.
Audiences like their blues singers to be miserable.
There is nothing to keeping a band together. You simply have to have a gimmick, and the gimmick I use is to pay them money!
Technically, I'm not a guitar player, all I play is truth and emotion.
I love the relationship that anyone has with music ... because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. ... It's the best part of us probably.
I consider myself to be an inept pianist, a bad singer, and a merely competent songwriter. ... I'm probably writing music now for the same reason as I started writing songs when I was 14-to meet women. ... If you make music for the human needs you have within yourself, then you do it for all humans who need the same things. You enrich humanity with the profound expression of these feelings. ... My songs are like my kids.