Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius

by Kwame Dawes

This in-depth analysis of the reggae superstar's poetry in lyric form delves into the songwriter's intellect and spirituality with scholarly precision usually more associated with Bob Dylan or John Lennon. Thought of as the folk poet of the developing world, Marley influenced generations of musicians and writers throughout the Western hemisphere. He was a performer who held true to his heritage, yet is still awarded the status of world rock star. Bob Lyrical Genius features interviews with key people and musicians who knew the man. It's the perfect companion to Bob Marley's recordings.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

341 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Born in Ghana in 1962, Kwame Dawes spent most of his childhood and early adult life in Jamaica . As a poet, he is profoundly influenced by the rhythms and textures of that lush place, citing in a recent interview his "spiritual, intellectual, and emotional engagement with reggae music." His book Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius remains the most authoritative study of the lyrics of Bob Marley.

His 11th collection of verse, Wisteria: Poems From the Swamp Country, was published in January 2006. In February, 2007 Akashic Books published his novel, She's Gone and Peepal Tree Books published his 12th collection of poetry, Impossible Flying, and his non-fiction work, A Far Cry From Plymouth Rock: A Personal Narrative.

His essays have appeared in numerous journals including Bomb Magazine, The London Review of Books, Granta, Essence, World Literature Today and Double Take Magazine.

In October, 2007, his thirteenth book of poems, Gomer's Song will appear on the Black Goat imprint of Akashic Books. Dawes has seen produced some twenty of his plays over the past twenty-five years including, most recently a production of his musical, One Love, at the Lyric Hammersmith in London .

Kwame Dawes is Distinguished Poet in Residence, Louis Frye Scudder Professor of Liberal Arts and Founder and executive Director of the South Carolina Poetry Initiative. He is the director of the University of South Carolina Arts Institute and the programming director of the Calabash International Literary Festival, which takes place in Jamaica in May of each year.

Reviews

[Andrew Grossmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, great analysis of Marley's lyrics and how Marley's upbringing and his Rastafarian belief shaped his worldview. I also enjoyed learning about Jamaica politically, and socially in the 70's.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a Marley fan for many years now, ever since I first discovered that he had written Stir It Up which was a hit for Johnny Nash in 1972.

This book may be best for real fans rather than casual fans, however it is incredibly well researched and clearly Kwame Dawes really loves his subject.

An excellent book from which I learnt so many new things, not just about Bob Marley but also Rastafari

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a biography of Bob Marley, you should look elsewhere. This book analyzes Marley’s lyrics in the context of Rastafarianism, Jamaican politics, and Marley’s life, in that order of emphasis. You will learn about his life but no more than you’d learn watching a short biographical documentary. But you will learn a lot about how Rastafarianism, politics and society in Jamaica informed Marley’s songwriting. The author goes into great depth that is at times both fascinating and too deep. The book is a unique look at Marley and his art, but not so much his life story.

[Gavin Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a gift many, many years ago and left it sitting on a shelf until recently. The truth is I'm not really a fan of Marley's. I know his biggest hits and I think I owned Legend at one point in my life (on cassette!). I doubt if I could have told you a single complete verse from any of his songs.

Despite my lack of knowledge, I really enjoyed this book. It's written in an academic but accessible style and contains a wealth of information. I learned a lot from it, not only about Bob Marley but also about Jamaica, its history and its politics, about Rastafarian culture, and about the general development of reggae and other musical genres.

My only real complaint is that Dawes doesn't re-print the lyrics of the songs that he discusses. I imagine that this is a licensing issue. For serious Marley fans I'm sure that this wouldn't be an issue but for someone like me it meant the occasional trip to Google. Overall, this is enjoyable for anyone interested in poetry or song lyrics and surely a must read for Bob Marley die-hards.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many biographies over the years and this is definitely one of the very best I've read. It's a detailed, honest and surprising portrayal of one of the finest musicians of all time. Part of what is so interesting about this book is the discussion of the part of Jamaica where Marley is from. Overall this book will truly make you appreciate the man behind the music that we all love.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really fascinating look, no so much at Bob Marley and his life, but more specifically at the poetry of his lyrics. i really liked reading about the underlying meanings of the songs, but wondered why Dawes would go through all of the research and trouble of writing this book and not include the lyrics to which he referred.

[Lynette Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly Written....This man was a lyrical genius for sure!!! and there's no other man who can put words into realism like him!

[Loisiwoodzienonu · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was really amazing i really enjoyed it don't mind reading it again

[Cameron Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty interesting book it wasn't what i was expecting. but its a Amazing interpretation of his poetry through music.

[Connor Mcdermott]

The book is discussing how Bob Marley was very religious and what some of his lyrics meant.
In the next chapter the book talks about how he confessed his love to women through songs.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has a different take on Bob Marley. he sees him as the poet musician of the third world. When he wrote his songs and lyrics they meant something he considered to be important.