Bob Marley’s voice may have been silenced in 1981, but here in Jamaica, his music remains a constant refrain. It echoes through the swaying palm trees, pulsates in the rhythm of our reggae beats, and stirs the soul with its message of rebellion, love, and unity. Today, I embark on a sonic journey of Bob Marley’s songs, listing my top 5.
5. Could You Be Loved (Uprising, 1980)
This song explodes onto the scene with a frenetic guitar, a call to arms against mental slavery. Marley, his voice a gravelly rasp, warns, “Don’t let them fool ya, or even try to school ya!” It’s a potent reminder to think for yourself, a message that resonated deeply during a time of rampant propaganda. The instrumentation is lean and urgent, mirroring the urgency in Marley’s voice. There’s an underlying tension, a feeling that something needs to change, and fast.
4. Chances Are (Chances Are, 1981):
A poignant ballad, “Chances Are” carries the weight of Marley’s mortality. Originally released just a year after his cancer diagnosis in 1978, the song shimmers with a melancholic beauty. His voice, usually so full of life, takes on a fragile quality, cracking at times. Yet, amidst the sorrow, there’s a flicker of hope. “Though my days are filled with sorrow,” he sings, “I see a brighter tomorrow.” I was introduced to this song by my mother several years ago. It was always a favourite of her, ever since she was living in Somerset, St. Thomas. Now this song is one of my favourite.
3. Concrete Jungle (Catch a Fire, 1973)
This track is a sonic masterpiece, heavily influenced by the legendary Lee Scratch Perry’s production style. It opens with an unconventional intro, a lone electric guitar weaving a haunting melody. This stark soundscape instantly transports you from the lush Jamaican landscape to the harsh realities of the urban jungle. Marley enters with a deep baritone, lamenting, “No sun will shine in my day to day.” The song’s brilliance lies in its seamless blend – the interplay of instruments, the smooth vocal harmonies between Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh – a testament to the Wailers’ growing musical prowess.
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2. Redemption Song (Uprising, 1980)
Marley unfurls a historical tapestry with “Redemption Song.” The opening verse takes us back to the horrors of the Middle Passage, with Marley lamenting, “Ole pirates yes they Rob I, sold I to the merchant ships.” But even in the face of such brutality, he finds strength: “But my hands were made strong by the hands of the almighty.” The song then leaps forward in time, addressing the Cold War anxieties of the present. Something that Beres Hammond also makes mention of in the bridge for his song ‘One Step Ahead.’ It’s a powerful call to remember the struggles of the past and fight for a brighter future, a sentiment echoed by many Jamaicans who hold their history close.
1.No Woman No Cry (Natty Dread, 1974)
After penning an ode, ‘Turn your lights down low,’ to his mistress Cyndy Breakspear, mother of music sensation Damian Marley, an introspective Marley writes a tribute to his wife, with ‘no woman no cry.’
A penitent Marley starts by telling his wife, Rita, how he ‘remembers’ their humble beginning and the importance of the role she played in his life, ‘In this great future, you can’t forget your past,So dry your tears, I say.’ Conscious that there is a rift in their marriage, not just from infidelity but also the price of fame, Marley reflects on the priceless moment he and his wife shared. ‘Then we would cook cornmeal porridge, I say, Of which I’ll share with you.’
The song humanises Marley while allegorically paints a picture that’s relatable to the average person, giving it personal and social relevance.
In the closing, Marley assures a crying Rita that ‘Everything is going to be alright’
These might not be his greatest songs, but they are my favourites. Let me know what your favourite Bob Marley songs are in the comment section below.
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