Bass is heavy, drummer is steady
In this situation we need some kinda protection
So don’t get panicky and run in the wrong direction
Jah made man to rule his destiny
The sacred values of the law of humanity
The tension builds, the energy grow
Riddim runs and I got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
Cause that’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
So, free your souls and let your spirit go
Wherever you go
We’re having a real good time
We’re having now real good time
Real good time
Tension builds, the energy grow
Riddim runs and I got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
Cause that’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
So free yourself and let your feelings grow
Wherever you go
Cause that’s the only way we gonna know for sure
The tension builds, the energy grow
In this situation we need some kinda protection
Don’t get panicky and run in a wrong direction
Jah made man, yes to rule his destiny
Sacred values of the laws of humanity
We’re having a real good time
We’re having a real good time
The bass is heavy, the drummer is steady
Riddim runs and I got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
Cause that’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
So, free yourselves and let your feeling grow
Wherever you go
Tension builds, the energy grow
In this situation we need some kinda protection
Don’t get panicky and run in a wrong direction
Jah made man to rule his destiny,
And it’s the sacred laws, laws of humanity
The pressure is on, we got to be strong
Today’s night is the final confrontation,
In everyday life, in everyday life is the human competition
We struggle for change
We neither can beg nor bow to no human institution
Hear what I say!
Good time
Real good time
The bass is heavy, drummer is steady
In this situation we need some kinda protection
Don’t get panicky and run in a wrong direction
Jah made man to rule his destiny
And that’s the sacred laws of the values of humanity
The bass is heavy
The tension builds, the energy grow, oh
Riddim runs and I got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
That’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
Free yourselves and let your feeling grow
Wherever you go
Cause that’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
The pressure is on, we got to be strong
Today, tonight it is a final confrontation
In everyday life, in everyday life becomes human competition
We struggle for change
We neither can beg nor bow to no human competition
Hear what I say!
Good time
We’re having now real good time (real good time)
Real good time
We’re having now good time (real good time)
The bass is heavy the drummer is steady
Yes, in this situation we need some kinda protection
Don’t get panicky and run in a wrong direction
Say, Jah made man, yes to rule his destiny
And that’s the sacred values of the laws of humanity
The pressure is on, we got to be strong
Today, tonight it is a final confrontation
In everyday life, in everyday life becomes just a human competition
We struggle for change
We neither can beg nor bow to no human institution
Hear what I say!
The tension builds, the energy grow, oh
Riddim runs and I got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
That’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
So, free yourselves and let your feelings grow
Wherever you go
We’re having a real good time
We’re having a real good time
The bass is heavy, the drummer is steady
Yes, in this situation we need some kinda protection
Yes, don’t get panicky and run in a wrong direction
Yes, Jah made man just to rule his destiny
Yes, and that’s the sacred values of the laws of humanity
Eh, (tension) builds, the energy grow
The riddim run and I got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
That’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
So, free yourselves and let your spirits grow
The pressure is on, we got to be strong
Today, tonight we face the final confrontation
In everyday life, in every day life becomes the human competition
We neither can beg nor bow to no human institution
Tension builds, the energy grow
In this situation, yes we need some kinda protection
Don’t get panicky and run in a wrong direction
Jah made man to rule his destiny
And it’s the sacred laws of the values of humanity
The bass is heavy, the drummer is steady
Riddim runs and I got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
Cause that’s the only way we gonna know for sure you need some more
So, free yourselves and let your spirits grow
Wherever you go
The tension builds, the energy grow
In this situation we need some kinda protection, yes
Don’t get panicky and run in a wrong direction
You see, Jah made man, yes to rule his destiny, yeah, yeah, yeah
And that’s the sacred values of the laws of humanity
Say, the pressure is on, we got to be strong
Yes, today, tonight we face the final confrontation
In everyday life, in everyday life is just a human competition
We struggle for change
We neither can beg now bow to no human institution
Hear what I say!
We’re having now real good time
We’re having now (real) real good time
Real good time
We’re having a real good time
The bass is heavy, the drummer is steady
Yes, the riddim runs and I got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
That’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
So, free yourselves and let your feeling grow
Wherever you go
Cause that’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
Tension builds, the energy grow, yeah
In this situation we need some kinda protection
Don’t get panicky and run in a wrong direction
Jah made man to rule his destiny, yes
And that’s the sacred values of the laws of humanity
The pressure is on, yes we got to be strong
Today, tonight we face the final confrontation
In everyday life, in everyday life becomes a just human competition
We struggle for change
We neither can beg nor bow to no human competition
Hear what I say!
We neither can beg nor bow to no human institution
We’re having a real good time
We’re having a real good time
Pressure is on, we got to be strong
Riddim runs cause it got you on the floor
Cryin out for more
That’s the only way we gonna know for sure
You need some more
So, free yourselves and let your feeling grow
Wherever you go
Cause that’s the only way we gonna know for sure
Free yourselves and let your feeling grow
That’s the way we gonna know for sure
(We’re having a real good time)
We’re having now real good time
(Real good time)
Why did you want me to say?
The pressure is on, yes I know!
(We got to be strong)
Today it’s really the final confrontation
In every day life becomes a human competition
We neither can beg nor bow to no human institution
Rhythm, Resilience, and Revelry: Interpreting “Bass Is Heavy”
“Bass Is Heavy” by Bob Marley pulses with the signature energy of reggae, blending powerful rhythms with thought-provoking messages. The song’s recurring mantra, “the bass is heavy, the drummer is steady,” sets a scene of musical unity and collective experience. Amidst this celebration, Marley’s lyrics urge listeners to stay grounded and strong when faced with life’s pressures. He warns against panic and confusion, reminding us of our inner strength and the importance of self-determination—”Jah made man to rule his destiny.” The track cleverly balances the joy of living in the moment—”we’re having a real good time”—with deeper reflections on human competition, resilience, and the sacred values that bind us.
Song Credits
- Artist: Bob Marley
- Songwriters: Not specified
- Release Year: Not specified
- Label: Not specified