Talking about the song "One Love": history, recording, facts

"One Love." - one of the most famous tracks Bob Marley and reggae hits in general. The song graced the 1977 album "Exodus."However, in April 1984 it was released as a single to promote the compilation "Legend" - one of the most successful reggae albums ever! Its second title, "One Love / People Get Ready"The song was given the title due to the fact that it contains an insert from the song of the same name by the band "The Impressions". What is the true meaning behind this song and how much influence it has today, we invite you to find out below.

History of Creation

Inspirational "One Love." was written in the midst of the Jamaican elections in December 1976. Marley was an outspoken supporter Michael ManleyHe was elected Prime Minister of Jamaica in 1972, but in the latter part of the decade he was the most popular man in the country! He refused to take any political position, however, as the state was divided into two camps: Manley's People's National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party, led by the Jamaica Labour Party. by Edward Siaga. Jamaica had fallen on hard times, and Marley tried to remain politically neutral, offering peace and refuge to fellow countrymen: at one point his house on Hope Road became a shelter for those who had nowhere else to go.

It was in this chaos that the heartfelt. "One Love.": Bob sat on his small bed while intimidated people gathered in his home and created a timeless anthem that was both full of peace and anger.

Music video

The clip for "One Love." was filmed, unfortunately, after Marley's death. It was directed by Don Letts. The video shows a little Jamaican boy (played by a certain person). Jesse Lawrence), crowds of punks, local philistines and tourists. It also has a few episodic appearances: we see the Paula McCartney, a few of the contestants "Bananarama", Neville Staple and other stars of the music scene.

The second video was shot in 2014, directly at Marley's estate.

True meaning

Marley's idea, which he expressed in the composition "One Love", was that everyone in the world should stop fighting and become one! A similar sentiment is evident on "Imagine" by John Lennon и "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" George Harrison. However, there is a deeper meaning behind the lyrics than a simple call for unity. Some phrases tell of oppression and how sinners will eventually pay for their evil deeds. For many listeners, the deeper message is lost in the overwhelming chorus.

Interesting facts

• The song has long been popular in the media and on television: from 1994, "One Love" was featured in a Jamaica Tourist Board commercial, and in 2007 it was re-recorded by the son of legendary Rastafarian Stephen Marley and Richard Branson to promote the airline Virgin Atlantic.
• "One Love." - the title of not only a famous reggae hit, but also a 2003 romantic film with a Ki-Mani Marleystarring one of Bob's sons.
• The composition appears in the film "Marley and I." 2008: it is the one that inspires the hero of the film to name the puppy Marley. And in 2010, the track was re-recorded by Antonio Banderas and included in the animated masterpiece "Shrek Forever."! The iconic tune can also be heard in the films "Evan Almighty." (2007) и "Chain Reaction." (1996).

• Ice cream maker "Ben & Jerry's.known for its unusual flavour, named the banana-flavoured pint after this tune! The dessert is decorated with swirls of caramel and crackers and chocolate peace signs.

• For the first time, Bob Marley and his band "The Wailers" performed this anthem in the mid-60s, but the song became a hit only after it was recorded for the album "Exodus". The song received its extended title "One Love / People Get Ready" because Island Records didn't want copyright problems. For this reason Curtis Mayfield was listed as co-writer.

• Curtis Mayfield was a musician and ideologue of African-American music. In his songs, he tried to convey the message of the need for harmonious co-existence of different ethnic and social groups. His resounding anthem "People Get Ready" became a source of inspiration not only for Marley, but also for the Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylanas well as groups "U2" и "Vanilla Fudge.".

• In 2005 "One Love." was performed by Jason Mraz for an advert for the Gap brand. The commercial showed the artists wearing their favourite jeans of the said brand and singing their favourite hits. Mraz chose the song Bob Marley for a reason: for him, Marley was an idol both musically and personally.