The best reggae songs
Содержание
Let's remember the best reggae songs! But first, let's talk a little about the genre itself. Reggae music is an extremely positive and light emotions direction, which originated in Jamaica in the late 60s. Today this genre is widely known to listeners from all over the world! In fact, it was popularised by Bob Marley: the Jamaican musician and performer became an icon of this trend, giving people beautiful songs about love and peace in the world... Already since the mid-70s reggae has become a global cultural phenomenon! Slowly but surely - its elements penetrated into various musical styles... The measured rhythm of this positive music inexorably delights even contemporaries! Less words, more to the point: below are the best songs in this genre...
Bob Marley - "No Woman, No Cry" (1974)
This composition has a distinctive feature that apparently appealed to a huge number of listeners: an elegiac organ melody set against a background of insightful verses... Today "No Woman, No Cry" is a big reggae hit: it is in the top 50 of Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
The copyright to "No Woman, No Cry" remains with Vincent Ford, but the song (melody or lyrics) was written (melody or lyrics) by Bob Marley: the fact is that Vincent was a good friend of Marley's, and the royalties allowed him to run a free soup kitchen for the needy in Trenchtown...
Bob Marley - "I Shot the Sheriff" (1973)
Another famous reggae hit by Bob Marley, whose protagonist shot the sheriff...
"Sheriff John Brown always hated me.
For what? I don't know myself.
I shot the sheriff,
But I swear to God, it was self-defence..."
As a result, the song became a jewel of Marley's repertoire!
Inner Circle - "Bad Boys" (1993)
Many listeners mistakenly believe that this song belongs to Bob Marley. But it is not: the song "Bad Boys" was written by the Jamaican reggae band Inner Circle in 1987, but became a hit only after its re-release in 1993.
In a way, however, "Bad Boys" is really about Bob Marley: it serves as a sequel to his hit about a sheriff:
"No one will leave you alone now,
The police won't leave you alone now,
That old soldier won't leave you alone now,
Not even your eyes will give you peace now..."
Bobby McFerrin - "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (1988)
This mega-positive Bobby McFerrin song needs no introduction, as it is well known and loved by everyone (or almost): after its release in September 1988, it became a huge hit! At the 1989 Grammy Awards, "Don't Worry Be Happy" was named "Song of the Year", "Record of the Year" and Bobby McFerrin won "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance"....
Notably, the music video for the track features Robin Williams and Bill Irwin.
Bob Marley & The Wailers - "Buffalo Soldier" (1983)
One of Marley's most famous songs, co-written with Noel Williams. The title of the track is a reference to the black cavalry regiments of the United States known as the Buffalo Soldiers.
The Specials - "Ghost Town" (1981)
One of the most popular songs by The Specials: it was released in June 1981, after which it spent 10 weeks in the top 40 UK Singles. Remarkably, The Specials were going through some bad times at the time of the single's recording... The clip includes shots of London streets and buildings taken from a moving car, and ends with the band on the riverbank at low tide....
Paul McCartney - "C Moon" (1972).
You might have been surprised to find Paul McCartney on our list of reggae songs. However: written by him and his wife Linda and performed by Wings, "C Moon" is a great positive pop song with an instantly recognisable reggae rhythm!
Surprisingly, while in Britain the single reached number 5 on the national chart, in the US it did not appear on any of the major charts at all....
Bob Marley - "One Love" (1977)
One of The Wailers' earliest recordings: the song was re-recorded several times, and only the final version found success... "One Love" had a music video, which became the first posthumous music video.
Bob Marley - "Is This Love" (1978)
And this touching piece - one of the most insightful and sincere in his repertoire - was dedicated by Marley to his wife Rita:
"We'll be together under the roof right above our heads;
We'll share the shelter of my little bed;
We'll share a room with you..."
Micah and Jumanji - "There" (1999)
This composition with an unobtrusive reggae tinge became a big hit in the career of Russian rap singer Mikhey. It continues to evoke warm feelings in thousands of people to this day. despite the fact that the song was released in the late 90s....
https://youtu.be/ti00TRsoOqU
The music video for the song "Over There" has been viewed by almost 3.5 million people!
