Exploring Caribbean Connections---English

Curated Playlist: Exploring the Music of Bob Marley

Central artist: Bob Marley 

The Caribbean has produced many talented musicians such as The Baha Men (The Bahamas), T-Connection (The Bahamas), Rihanna (Barbados), Niki Minaj (Trinidad and Tobago), Bob Marley (Jamaica), and Omi (Jamaica). These are just a few Caribbean artists who have achieved some type of success outside their birth country. 

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Description: In this post, I will explore the world of music in the English Caribbean, this curated playlist will focus on the music of Jamaican singer/songwriter Robert Nesta Marley aka Bob Marley. Bob Marley is known as a legend in the Caribbean music scene. He is also credited with playing a huge part in making Reggae as well as the Rastafarian lifestyle internationally popular. On a lesser scale, he also contributed to the development of ska and rocksteady.  Each piece in the playlist is performed by, inspired by, or showcases similar themes used by  Bob Marley.

Playlist

People Get Ready -The Impressions

 

The first song in the playlist is People Get Ready written by Curtis Mayfield and performed by The Impressions in 1965.  Why would this be included in the playlist and why would it be the first song? The answer to that is simple One Love.  This song can be considered a Christian song and talks about people needing to get ready for when the train "Jesus" comes.  In the first verse, it mentions that "there's hope for all".  However, in the second verse the message shifts, "There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner ..., have pity on those whose chances grow thinner."

One Love -Bob Marley 

When I hear the phrase, "One Love" I automatically think of Bob Marley. After all One Love reggae version first released in 1977 by Bob Marley and the Wailers is one of Marley's most iconic songs and phrases. Looking at the lyrics of both songs it is a possibility that Marley got inspiration for One Love from People Get Ready. In One Love Marley says, "Have pity on those who chance to grow thinner..." "Is there a place for the hopeless sinner...?".  By asking a question, Marley instead of stating a statement Marley is suggesting that anyone can have redemption.  The song can be seen as a way of rebellion against the "Holy art thou" mindset of the Caribbean Christian churches that often scorn sinners.  The song also calls for people to be unified and peaceful with each other. Especially, in Jamaica which was experiencing political and social turmoil at that time. In the video, the reggae beat is very prominent. 

One Love- Kelly Clarkson, John Legend Blake Shelton,  and Gwen Stefani

This is a video of One Love performed by popular singers of today for the Voice 2020. This demonstrates how timeless Bob Marley is as a singer and songwriter. His songs are still being performed today even though he has been dead for over 2 decades. The lyrics of the songs also still hold meaning. It can not be denied that he was and still continues to be an ambassador for Caribbean and Reggae music. 

Everything's Gonna Be Alright- Bob Marley and The Wailers 

The Three Little Birds better known by some as "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" or "Don't Worry About a Thing"  is also considered a Bob Marley classic. There is a dispute as to whether the song was written about his favorite birds that would fly around his house in Jamaica or if it was about three female singers he sometimes did shows with. However, it can not be disputed that it is a song of upliftment, encouraging the listener that they have nothing to stress about because everything will work out in the end.  As displayed in many of Bob Marley's songs the beat that has become widely described as the Reggae base sound is on prominent display. 

Get Up Stand Up_ Bob Marley and The Wailers

Get Up Stand Up was written by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh and it was originally first released in 1973.  Rolling Stone ranks this song as being Bob Marley's most famous song. In the video, you can hear Bob Marley's classic sound. The lyrics itself are simple but powerful.  It speaks of an oppressed people who are sick and tired of being sick and tired. At the same time, he is encouraging these individuals to not get tired of fighting and standing up for themselves and their rights. In many songs from the English-speaking Caribbean, we often see artist sharing their views on social, economic, and political issues. Bob Marley followed this same pattern as a Caribbean artist. However, he was able to craft his lyrics to fit a wider audience while still remaining true to himself as an individual and artist. 

No Woman No Cry-Bob Marley and The Wailers 

Rolling Stone ranks No Woman No Cry as Bob Marley's second most famous song. In this song, he talks about the struggles he experienced growing up as a poor teen in Jamaica. In this song, he talks about how his life growing up in The Caribbean shaped who he was as a person. Additionally, it is also important to note that the backup dancers are wearing Rastafarian head clothes. This shows that he took his beliefs everywhere that he went. Bob Marley not only served as an activist, songwriter, producer, and singer but as an ambassador for Rastfarainsim, Reggae, Jamaica, and the Caribbean as a whole. 

Redemption Song - Bob Marley 

When creating a playlist that is centered around Bob Marley, for me it is a given that Redemption Song be included. Redemption Song was written, recorded, and performed by Bob Marley. This song is the closing track on his final studio album, as well as the final single and the last song he performed in concert, in Pittsburgh in September 1980.  So, of course, I would use this song as the finale of my playlist.  For me, this song embodies who Bob Marley strived to be as an artist and person.  Which is using his music to send a message of hope and liberation for oppressed people, especially for persons of color. Moreover, it is no secret that Marley's life was a huge inspiration to his music. In Redemption Song, he talks about a journey of freeing oneself from spiritual enslavement and finding spiritual emancipation. The recording of Marley singing with the simple accompaniment of a guitar causes the listener to pay attention to the words and meaning of the song. The song sounds soulful and like he has found peace and acceptance of his situation, basically a final goodbye. 

References

Bob Marley Official Site — Life & Legacy — History. (n.d.). Bob Marley. https://www.bobmarley.com/history/

Dawes, K. (2012). Bob Marley: Lyrical Genius. Bobcat Books.

FlourishAnyway. (2024, February 10). 35 Singers From the Caribbean Who Made It Big in America. Spinditty. https://spinditty.com/artists-bands/Singers-From-the-Caribbean-Who-Made-It-Big-in-America

Hewitt, R. (2015). Bob Marley’s Redemption Song in Conversation with de Gruchy’s Olive Agenda. Alternation Special Edition, 14, 168–189. esearchgate.net/profile/Sibusiso-Masondo/publication/332802454_Prophets_never_die_The_Story_of_Bishop_PJ_Masango_of_the_St_John’s_Apostolic_Faith_Mission/links/5ccad3a0a6fdcce35cd2dd8b/Prophets-never-die-The-Story-of-Bishop-PJ-Masango-of-the-St-Johns-Apostoli

Middleton, J. R. (2023, February 9). The Genius of Bob Marley’s “One Love / People Get Ready.” CREATION to ESCHATON. https://jrichardmiddleton.com/2023/02/09/the-genius-of-bob-marleys-one-love-people-get-ready/