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Natural Mystic: The Best of Bob Marley

Robert Nesta Marley, simply known as Bob Marley forever holds the status as Reggae’s king and patriarch as messages of peace, love, righteousness and social consciousness preached throughout his music still resonate in the minds of fans worldwide.

Marley impacted the lives of so many with his hundreds of legendary songs that still warrant radio airplay in this current day and age. Honestly, this man deserves a top 50 or 100 list and some would say a top 10 list of Bob Marley songs doesn’t do him nearly enough justice. However, on this very special day in Reggae music, here are ten Bob Marley songs that, while some may dispute aren’t his best, they arguably are the most impactful through the genre.

10: I Shot The Sheriff: Deemed as one of Marley’s more controversial, yet thought-provoking masterpieces, Marley’s 1973 hit song, I Shot The Sheriff played out a scene involving a man owning up to shooting a sheriff in self-defense but denying shooting a deputy sheriff. The song spoke of justice and became an instant hit of he and The Wailers’ hit album, Burnin’, but drew some controversy as some government officials, amongst others took it as a subliminal attempt to denounce the police force.

Nevertheless, the single’s storyline made for compelling musical theatre and was later remade by rock and roll superstar, Eric Clapton in the 1990s.

9: Waiting in Vain: Offering a more sensual side of this Reggae icon, Waiting In Vain remains one of Reggae music’s most heralded love songs. Off his legendary 1977 album, Exodus, Waiting in Vain was well received locally and earned a top 30 slot on the United Kingdom singles charts.

However, what truly makes the song’s essence stand true was the accompanying visuals as the video for Waiting in Vain showcased a child like version of Marley and young girl frolicking through a Hawaiian paradise. Waiting in Vain was a truly heartwarming song to say the least.

8: Is This Love: Keeping with the sensual theme, Marley dazzled fans once again as he and the Wailers teamed up for the 1978 smash hit, Is This Love. Another highly regarded love song internationally, Is This Love earned a top ten slot on the U.K. Singles Charts and was part of his posthumously released Legend compilation in 1984.

The accompanying music video also won the hearts and minds of fans across the world, featuring Marley running through the streets with children. One of those children was a then seven-year-old, Naomi Campbell.

7: Buffalo Soldier: One of Marley final recordings prior to his death in May 1981, Buffalo Soldier became one of Marley’s most synonymous efforts. The lyrics of Buffalo Soldier were tied to the black United States cavalry regiment, otherwise known as “Buffalo Soldiers.” The soldiers, who fought during the Indian Wars in the 1800s, made great lyrical fodder for Marley as he spoke of black resistance, power and courage. Fans of all ages grew to love the song; proven when a young American baby, who featured in a YouTube video nearly two years ago, stopped crying when Buffalo Soldier. If that instance did not prove the power of Marley’s music, who knows what would.

6: Could You Be Loved: Released off the final Bob Marley and The Wailers album, Uprising in 1980, Could You Be Loved hails as one of Marley’s greatest self-empowerment anthems. A song which denounces the casting of judgment by mankind with lines such as “You ain't gonna miss your water until your well runs dry;

No matter how you treat him, the man will never be satisfied.” Related to the everyday struggle of people who envy the blessings of others. The song not only became a chart success but also has since become a post game normality at sports events, including the 2010 World Cup Final in South Africa.

5: Redemption Song: Regarded as one of the Top 100 songs of all-time by Rolling Stone Magazine, Redemption Song became one of Marley’s most vital contributions. A song speaking of the concept of mental slavery and quoting words of a legendary speech by one of Jamaica’s National Heroes, Marcus Garvey, Redemption Song related to the struggles of blacks to establish liberation. Both the live and acoustic versions were well received while they also showcased the pain that Marley endured after being diagnosed with cancer in 1979. To some Jamaicans, it’s regarded as Marley’s most influential political song.

4: No Woman, No Cry: The 1974 single, No Woman, No Cry made Marley a household name as his star continued to grow on an international basis. A single which encouraged women to find strength in times of tribulation within the inner city, No Woman, No Cry made the top 40 or Rolling Stone’s Top 500 all-time songs list. The Fugees later remade Marley’s songin 1996 and Bob’s son, Stephen Marley, joined forces with the group in 2003 for yet another remix.

3: Get Up, Stand Up: One of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh’s best creations as a duo, Marley unleashed another self-empowerment anthem with his 1973 release, Get Up, Stand Up. Regarded as one of Marley’s best live songs, Get Up Stand Up promoted liberation and the ability for people to fight for what they believed in. The song was re-released by Tosh and Bunny Wailer as they did solo versions of the song. Additionally, artistes, including Shaggy, recorded at least 10 covers of the song.

2: Three Little Birds: A song emulating Marley’s hope for peace and unity within mankind, Three Little Birds (Don’t Worry) remains one of the icon’s most acclaimed singles. Universally, the easy-going tone within Three Little Birds made it easy for fans to sing along and appreciate life’s aura.

The motivation behind Three Little Birds remains a mystery as some say he was referring to actual birds while others believe it was a reference to an all-female Reggae group, The I-Threes. Nevertheless, the chart-topping song was a universal success and a cover of the single, done by British singer, Connie Talbot topped the Billboard Singles Chart in 2008.

1: One Love: If there’s ever a song that truly represented Marley and his homeland to the fullest, One Love was it. Released on the aforementioned Exodus album, One Love remains the ultimate anthem for unity, love and righteousness and, in the eyes of many, hails as the greatest Reggae song of all-time.

The single has become the sound of the Jamaica Tourist Board and its advertising campaign since 1994, was named BBC’s greatest song of last millennium and made Marley the universal symbol of positivity within music that those that succeeded hi have yet to resemble.

Source: Examiner.com

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