Bob Marley
Chantel Brink
Chantel Brink
December 8, 2023 ·  3 min read

Bob Marley Was Once Asked If There Was a Perfect Woman. This Was His Reply.

Bob Marley, the iconic Jamaican singer-songwriter and reggae legend, left an indelible mark on the world with his soul-stirring music and profound messages of love, unity, and social justice. Born on February 6, 1945, in Nine Mile, Jamaica, Marley’s musical journey began in the late 1960s with the formation of the Wailers. A group that would become synonymous with reggae’s global ascent.

Marley’s distinctive voice, characterized by its raspy yet melodious tone, became the vehicle for songs that transcended musical boundaries—blending reggae with elements of ska, rocksteady, and roots music. His lyrics often carried poignant social and political commentary, addressing issues of oppression, poverty, and the quest for freedom.

Marley’s impact extended beyond music, as he emerged as a symbol of resistance and cultural pride. His commitment to Rastafarianism, a spiritual and social movement, infused his work with a spiritual dimension. This is evident in songs like “Redemption Song” and “One Love.”

Despite facing personal and health challenges, Marley’s legacy endures. And his music continues to resonate globally, influencing generations and fostering a universal appreciation for reggae. His timeless classics, including “No Woman, No Cry,” “Buffalo Soldier,” and “Three Little Birds,” remain anthems that echo the enduring power of Bob Marley’s musical and philosophical legacy.

Read: 30 Motivational Quotes About Life From Bob Proctor

Bob Marley was once allegedly questioned about the existence of the ‘perfect woman,’ to which he responded:

Who cares about perfection? Even the moon is not perfect, it is full of craters… And the sea? It’s too salty and dark in the depths. The sky? Always so infinite, that is, the most beautiful things are not perfect, they are special. Stop wanting to be ‘perfect.’ Try to be free, happy, and live doing what you love, not wanting to please others.”

Several similar posts with the same quote circulated. Some attributed it to Marley without providing evidence, and others shared the quote without any attribution. None of these posts originated from credible sources, such as published biographies or scholarly articles.

Some digging was done to verify the claims

To verify the claim, Snopes endeavored to determine if Marley had ever been asked about the perfect woman before he died in 1981 and if the post accurately reflected his response. Their investigation involved searching global archives of major news outlets from 1945 to 1981, yielding only two results from 1979 articles in The News and Observer and The Sacramento Bee. These articles did not confirm that any journalist had posed the alleged question to Marley. And there was no evidence of the singer responding as claimed in the Facebook post.

A reference to research on Bob Marley done by Snopes
Image Credit: Snopes

They also explored Marley’s song lyrics through an online portal but found no mention of “perfection” in any of his popular tracks, undermining the possibility that the alleged comment was part of his repertoire.

Additionally, Google Trends revealed a lack of recent searches on Marley’s supposed statement about “perfection” or the “perfect woman,” indicating a lack of interest among academics, archivists, and musicologists. Efforts to contact Roger Steffens, co-author of “Bob Marley Spirit Dancer,” through the publishing company W.W. Norton & Company have not yielded a response at the time of writing.

A summary of events

In summary, while no verified evidence supports the authenticity of the Facebook post about Marley, the claim remains “Unproven” as of this report, leaving open the possibility that Marley made the alleged comment at some point in his life.

Bob Marley was once asked about richness and money

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