Never content to rehash the success of his past, Ziggy uses Dragonfly to explore new ground and create his own distinctive musical identity as a solo artist. "Working on my own gave me a chance to take my time and experiment a lot," says Ziggy. "It took one year to finish this record - it's the longest I've ever worked on one album. It's different when you're on your own. At some point it's scary, and then at another it's a drive that makes you focus more."
Ziggy also felt it was time for a change of scene. He wrote the album's songs in Jamaica but recorded them in Miami and Los Angeles. "As an artist I need to experience different things, to see the world and have different energies. It helps me grow as a person to be outside my element."
Evidence of that growth is everywhere on Dragonfly, a record with strong messages including the title track, which belies its sprightly, upbeat rhythms with a story told from the perspective of animals seeing what mankind has done to the Earth. On the funky reggae tune I Get Out, the lyrical focus is on breaking free of bondage, whether it's artists being creatively pigeonholed by record companies or people freeing their minds from stereotypes and other limitations.
An irresistible fusion of reggae and hip-hop drives True to Myself, a
charming celebration of self-respect, while the hard-rocking Shalom
Saalam tackles the Israeli/Palestinian conflict (the title juxtaposes
the Hebrew and Arabic words for peace). In Looking, Ziggy turns up the
Jamaican sunshine factor while reflecting on an endless quest for
happiness and spirituality. In The Name of God is a no holds-barred
assault on the global hypocrisy of religious warfare, a driving rock
song that surges with an emotional plea for an end to the separation of
people by religions of any name.
Ziggy MarleyDragonfly's focus on political as well as personal strength is further plumbed in Rainbow In The Sky using a syncopated reggae groove and funky horn arrangements to deliver a message of hope and self-determination. The album's most personal song is Melancholy Mood, whose slow groove matches its introspective lyrics examining Ziggy's struggles with heartbreak and sorrow, and his meditative approach to healing these emotions.
Good Old Days is a much-needed dose of anti-nostalgia, a wake-up call that today will soon be the past, and that the present must be savored in the moment. Never Deny You is a prayerful love song that fuses elegant cello arrangements and a steady R&B beat to communicate Ziggy's own undying commitment to his Rastafarian faith. Don't You Kill Love brings the album into its most dreamy moments as the music shifts into swirls of keyboard pads, sitars and breathy synthesizers in a prayer for non-violence.
Dragonfly* (4:14)Running Time: 4:02
Recording Type: Studio
everybody's worried about time
but i just keep that shit off my mind
people living on twenty four hour clocks
but we're on a ride that never stops
hey mister bee the world change but you remain the same
and i wonder how you'll survive with the environment going down the drain
hey miss dragonfly i see you look at me with your beautiful eyes
you must be wondering what type of creature am i
a dog looked at me and said ziggy why can't we trust man
puss and me get together why can't you all just understand
an old tree stood there silently listening to every word we said
as a tear fell he cried what type of creature is man
i said hey mister tree the world change but you remain the same
and i wonder how you survive with the environment going down the drain
hey miss butterfly I see you look at me with your beautiful eyes
you must be wondering what kind of creature am i
you must be wondering what kind of creature am i
everybody's worried about time
but i just keep that shit off my mind
people living on twenty four hour clocks
but we're on a ride yes we're on a ride we're on a ride that never stops
hey mister bee the world change but you remain the same
and i hope you'll survive with the environment going down the drain
hey miss butterfly i see you look at me with your beautiful eyes
you must be wondering what type of creature am i
you must be wondering what type of creature is man
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal, guitar
Richard Bravo, Luis Conte, percussion
Dan Warner, lead guitar
Scott Litt, background vocal
True To Myself* (3:45)Running Time: 3:59
Recording Type: Studio
life has come a long way since yesterday I say
and its not the same old thing over again I say
just do what you feel and don't you fool yourself I say
cause I can't make you happy unless I am I say I say I
got to be true to myself got to be true to myself
day in day out I've asked many questions I say
only to find the truth it never changes I say
if you don't deal with it it keeps killing you a little by little I say
call me selfish if you will my life I alone can live I say I say I
got to be true to myself got to be true to myself
I don't care if it hurts I'm tired of lies and all these games
I've reached a point in life no longer can I be this way
don't come crying to me I too have shed my share of tears
I'm moving on yes I'm grooving on well I'm finally free I've
got to be true to myself got to be true to myself
got to be true to myself got to be true to myself
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal, guitar
Brian MacLeod, drums
Reggie McBride, bass
Luis Conte, percussion
David Lindley, James Harrah, guitar
Rami Jaffee, organ
Lon Price, Lee R. Thornburg, Nick Lane, Greg Smith, horn
Sharon Marley, Erica Stewart, background vocal
I Get Out* (4:16)Running Time: 3:52
Recording Type: Studio
you want me to play the game you tried again and again
to sell myself for fame fit in the format man
to suit the image you want portrayed so the people are still enslaved
you can't define what we do I won't be put in a box for you
I get out, I get out, I get, I get out, I get out
I of the universe won't be prisoners of your little world
the mind is limitless where time does not exist
we travel far beyond the realms of expectations
and I refuse to be what you expect of me
I get out, I get out, I get, I get out, I get out
what would you lose to gain the price is high to pay
desire not to be like them to follow the dream of sin
blessed are the meek and humble my own spirit
cause music is a holy thing hey we giving thanks for the blessings
I get out, I get out, I get, I get out, I get out
mama I get out papa I get out
said I'm gonna hit it down, said I'm gonna kick it down
I get out, I get out, I get, I get out, I get out
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal, guitar
Brian MacLeod, drums
Reggie McBride, bass
David Lindley, Blues Saraceno, Steve Bigas, guitar
Luis Conte, percussion
Rami Jaffee, Eric Lynn, keyboards
George Panagopoulos, additional background vocal
Looking* (3:21)Running Time: 4:10
Recording Type: Studio
my frustration won't subside I've been tried time after time
but it's not my style to quit there is more to life than this
in obscurity or fame we're all playing in this game
searching for something searching for something
looking, looking, looking, you will find find you will be fine
Saturday in the morning and the rain kept falling
brother didn't get no sleep now he's really feeling beat
but there is no time to waste as the devil test his faith
he just walks away on a mission to complete
looking, looking, looking, you will find find you will be fine
looking oh find you will be fine
she has her hand on her jaw as she wonders away
what will tomorrow bring will her dreams just disappear
she find words are hard to say so she prays everyday
she must find a way may the pieces fall into place
frustration won't subside I've been tried time after time
but it's not my style to quit there is more to life than this
in obscurity or fame we're all playing in this game
searching for something searching for something
looking, looking, looking, you will find find you will be fine
looking, looking, looking, you will find find you will be fine
searching for something, looking for something
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal, drums
Steve Jordan, drums
Luis Conte, Marc Moreau, percussion
David Lindley, guitars
David Ralicke, saxophone
Rami Jaffee, accordion, organ
Paul Bushnell, bass
Sharon Marley, Erica Stewart, background vocal
Shalom Salaam† (5:04)Running Time: 4:21
Recording Type: Studio
lost am I in my memories of my forefathers' legacy
I am one of you you are one of me
why don't we set the people free
how I grieve to see fulfillment of prophecy
naive of me to think things could change
while man remain the same so war will be for me everyday
no peace no peace for the children of Israel
Gaza cries all the tears from her eyes
will there be no peace for the children of Palestine
shalom salaam shalom salaam
who will take the blame for the blood of my children
to who does vengeance belong to no one no one
we're dying from tanks and suicide bombs
the only answer is to live as one
and justice will come for my sons and just will come for my sons
shalom salaam shalom salaam
and I wonder why and I wonder who and I wonder what
is in the heart of you
and I wonder why and I wonder who and I wonder what
is in the heart of you
children are children no matter color or faith
and I wonder if history will teach us again
so war will be for me everyday
no peace no peace for the children of Israel
Gaza cries all the tears from her eyes
will there be no peace for the children of Palestine
and justice will come for my sons
shalom salaam shalom salaam
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal, guitar, bass
Marc Moreau, drum programming, guitar
Gary Corbett, Rhodes
In The Name Of God* (5:36)Running Time: 1:30
Recording Type: Studio
in the name of god you kill in the name of your god
in the name of god you conquered in the name of your god
all religion should be wiped out
so that people may just live
what divides us is an illusion
made up by men in their confusion
in the name of god you kill in the name of your god
in the name of god you conquered in the name of your god
in the name of god you hate in the name of your god
in the name of god you boast in the name of your god
spoke of love no one would listen
seems everyone's trying to prove something
starting over may be the best thing
so stop the bombs and letÍs begin
cause this war no one can win and it seems I'll never learn
oh this war no one can win well it seems I'll never learn
in the name of god you kill in the name of your god
in the name of god in the name of your god you conquered
in the name of god in the name of your god
all religion should be wiped out
save the people stand and live
what divides us is an illusion
made up by men in their confusion
in the name of god you kill in the name of your god
in the name of god you conquered in the name of your god
in the name of god you boast in the name of your god
in the name of god you hate in the name of your god
in the name of your god, why do you kill?, why do you hate?, in the name of god, in the name of god
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal
Brian MacLeod, drums
Paul Bushnell, bass
James Harrah, David Lindley, Blues Saraceno, Steve Bigas, Ross Hogarth, guitar
Luis Conte, percussion
Rami Jaffee, keyboards
Rainbow In The Sky† (3:08)Running Time: 4:11
Recording Type: Studio
there's a rainbow in the sky all the time don't be blind
there's a rainbow in the sky all the time don't be blind don't be blind
said you I'm living in my fantasy
but is you who are blinded from reality
the material world mean so much to you
you just can't get what I'm telling you
there's a rainbow in the sky all the time don't be blind don't be blind
cause in a town called sorrow there was joy
yes and there I met the painless tear
freed he expressed emotions that egos fear
my life is full of colors yeah my mind is clear
there's a rainbow in the sky rainbow in the sky
found I mercy in every sunrise
I am born again from the womb of the night
all I have I have left behind
minds' eye eyes eye a light will shine
there's a rainbow in the sky all the time don't be blind don't be blind
rainbow in the sky rainbow in the sky
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
7. Rainbow In The Sky
Ziggy Marley, vocal
Steve Jordan, drums
Flea, bass
Tyrone Downie, keyboards
John Frusciante, guitar
David Ralicke, Steve Baxter, Ron Blake, horn
Chris Kilmore, scratch
Angel Roch, Jr., percussion
Sharon Marley, Erica Stewart, background vocal
Melancholy Mood† (4:30)Running Time: 4:51
Recording Type: Studio
a little collie weed to ease I grief
too much agony living in the limits of big city
a little collie weed to meditate
too much insanity in this society
melancholy mood I eat for my food melancholy mood
rise this morning smile with the sun
oh I'm blessed another day has begun
everything in life has its purpose
find its reason it has its season
melancholy mood I eat for my food melancholy mood
tears leave my eyes I just want to fly
deep down I feel pain
but I know I must rise again
from this melancholy mood melancholy mood
melancholy mood I eat for my food melancholy mood
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal, guitar
Steve Jordan, drums
Flea, bass
David Ralicke, Steve Baxter, Ron Blake, horn
Ron Blake, flugelhorn solo
Marc Moreau, synth
Angel Roch, Jr., percussion
Roger Joseph Manning, Jr., piano
Sharon Marley, Erica Stewart, background vocal
Good Old Days† (4:17)
Running Time: 3:28
Recording Type: Studio
irie days come on play
let the angels fly let the devils die
got to do what you can with the time at hand
Ali boom mah yeah Ali boom mah yeah
don't worry your mind its just the test of time
in five years these be the good old days
no one knows what the future holds for everything has a season
its not a time for war its a time for peace
tomorrow knows tomorrow woes
I remember when grandpa use to say grandson these be the good old days
these be the good old days
now comes the moon with its starry lights
and so begins the night life
the tribal dance puts me in a trance
as she pulls me in with her magic swing
I asked of her what do we celebrate
she said to me these be the good old days
these be the good old days
leh leh leh leh leh leh leh leh
there is no future there is only now
let's cherish these moments that we now know
these be the good old days
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal, guitar, bass, percussion
Cedella Marley, vocal
Steve Jordan, drums
Marc Moreau, guitar, synth, percussion
Tyrone Downie, piano
Sharon Marley, Erica Stewart, background vocal
Never Deny You† (4:02)Running Time: 3:48
Recording Type: Studio
all the love that we share could never just disappear
and all that we've been through I believe in you
I will never deny you
friends said to me one day I should forget you
but my experience say what we have is true
I will never deny you
hey Judas they will betray you
Thomases they will doubt you
Peters they will deny you
but I will never deny you
all the love that we share could never just disappear
and all that we've been through I believe in you
I will never deny you
will never deny you will never deny you oh I
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal bass, piano, organ, percussion, guitar
Stephen Ferrone, drums
Sharon Marley, Erica Stewart, background vocal
The Scorchio Quartet: Gregor Kitzis, violin I; Meg Okura, violin II;
Martha Mooke, viola; Leah Coloff, cello
Don't You Kill Love† (3:48)Running Time: 4:30
Recording Type: Studio
don't you kill love don't you kill love don't you kill love
in the blink of an eye time passes us by
where does it go
now will you take a stand for love I am
forever more
these wars have wounded my heart so my trust breaks apart
to human I say these words
don't you kill love don't you kill love don't you kill love
this chance we should not miss to share this sacred bliss
and spread it all around I'm gonna spread it all around
my heart been broke before but still I must endure
keep the spirits high keep the spirits high
cause it's the greatest things in life calls for the most sacrifice
are we brave are we brave enough
don't you kill love don't you kill love don't you kill love
Words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
Ziggy Marley, vocal, bass, guitar, synth, percussion
Stephen Ferrone, drums
Earl "Chinna" Smith, Marc Moreau, guitar
Tyrone Downie, Marc Moreau, synth
Daniel Marley, Justice Marley, Zuri Marley, background vocal
All words and music by David Marley
Ziggy Music (ASCAP) c/o Colgems-EMI Music Inc, (ASCAP)
*Produced by Ross Hogarth and Ziggy Marley
Recorded by Ross Hogarth at The Steakhouse Studio, N. Hollywood, CA; Assistant:
John Cranfield; Additional recording and mixing by Ross Hogarth at Glenwood
Place Studios, Burbank, CA; Assistant: Damien Shannon
†Produced by Scott Litt and Ziggy Marley
Recorded by Marc Moreau and Scott Litt at Third Stone Recording, N. Hollywood,
CA; Assistants: Wes Seidman and Eric Weaver; Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA;
Assistant: Robert Reid; and Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; Assistant: Jeff Burns;
Additional recording by Marc Moreau and Ziggy Marley at Record Plant Studios,
Hollywood, CA; Assistants: J. D. Andrew, Mike Butler and Seth Waldman; and The
Lions Den, Miami, FL; Assistant: Keith Grant; and by Hector Castillo at Looking
Glass Studio, New York, NY; Assistant: Mario McNulty; Mixed by Marc Moreau and
Ziggy Marley at Record Plant Studios, Hollywood, CA; Assistants: J. D. Andrew,
Mike Butler and Seth Waldman; and at The Lions Den, Miami, FL; Assistant: Keith
Grant
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, New York City
A&R Direction: Patrick Clifford
Background vocal arrangements: Mikey Bennett
String arrangement (10), Tony Visconti
Production Coordinator: Ivy Skoff
Artwork: Alli
Photography: Kevin Westenberg
Rami Jaffee appears courtesy of Interscope Records
Flea appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
John Frusciante appears courtesy of Warner Bros. Records
Chris Kilmore appears courtesy of Epic Records
Special thanks to Bob Marley, Rita Marley, Steve Marley, my entire family for the love and support, my kids Daniel, Justice and Zuri for giving me joy--children are wonderful people. The musicians that gave their inspiration it means a lot thanks. To Addis Gessesse, Nancy Jeffries, Patrick Clifford, the RCA family, my Tuff Gong Team, much respect. Orly your support is invaluable more love, John Marx and WMA for years! Marc Moreau 24/7, Ross Hogarth for caring, Dvora Vener, Don Was, Paula Bradley, Reza, Tony Visconti, Kelle Musgrave, Brian MacLeod and David Lindley, the King Clancy crew keep on rocking, Flea cool vibes, just everyone my love and gratitude I will never forget it. Finally and most of all to our Creator for all the beautiful things that have been given to us we give you the glory forevermore. Love
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