Lion

Album: Honorary Citizen (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song tells of Peter Tosh's view towards Bob Marley and what he believed were Marley's hypocritical ways. At 3:33 into the song, Tosh makes this clear, saying, "Address this song to Bob Marley do I." He then makes another reference to Marley in the closing 6 seconds of this song. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Johnny - San Antonio, TX

Comments: 5

  • Empress from JamaicaThe Peter Tosh song Lion, was written years before Bob Marley’s Iron, Lion, Zion. It was later re-recorded by Peter here and while he jokes about Bob (who he taught to play guitar) it’s not a diss at him. Bless up
  • Andy from New Zealand Rasta is fairly new? I'm not totally sure but I would say it has formed over a period of time and may go back to ancient religion? Any way RASTA is not a set religion, all religions have room to grow, I don't care about Bob and Peter's little feud I'm sure deep down they respected each other. Bruce Lee was a master of taking many aspects from different religions and system and making them work for him, and he shared his ideas with others. I think that is good.
    I'm sure Rasta has many branches which can also be good if you like things to learn and understand.
  • Trevor from Tulsa, OkIt might be because Marley's vision of Rastafari is different to what Garvey set-up, Rasta used to be about the whites being proclaimed devils and that blacks should overcome. Most of the youths don't understand this because they only look at the story one-sided. Marley did change Rastafari, and in my opinion for they better, although many of his personal attributes weren't as pretty as most people think. Tosh and Marley were great visionaries and nothing should ever break their visions.
  • Tyjah from Lagrange, GaI don't have anything to add about what happen between the two, but the two put out some of the truest words of Rasta, Peter said best to say "righteousness" other than the word LOVE there is nothing greater.
    Ty, Ga.
  • Mike from Warwick, Ri"Lots of guys who where deadlocks who is 1,000,000 miles away from rasta...they are like night to day...see..and I know what the cause of what rasta means...righteousness!"...taken from a Peter Tosh boxed set....Pete's answer to Marley's Iron, Lion, Zion...awesome tune but you have to think Peter Tosh is being a bit childish in his assessment of Bob Marley and rastafarism...anyway, I live in Warwick, Rhode Island, what the heck do I know.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.