My Favorite Bob Marley Songs
If I had the time, I would write a detailed post about how Bob Marley’s legacy is much more than the posters emblazoned with red, green and gold and pictures of that illegal plant. But, alas, time is not on my side. Instead, I give you my top 5 songs by the late, great, Right Honorable Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley.
5. Exodus – The title track from his 9th album with the Wailers – the album that Time selected as the best of the 20th century. This song feels like fuel for a revolution. Love it!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS_tRl1JJSY&w=420&h=315]
4. Natural Mystic – I have no real justification for my love of this song. It just feels like it’s always been a part of my life.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISaqFAKTh7I&w=420&h=315]
3. Redemption Song– I have a vague memory of studying the lyrics of this song as a poem and participating in a choral elocutionary rendition in school. It’s funny, I can actually visualize the book with the poem but I can’t recall if this happened in high school or earlier. Regardless, I have heard so many horrible covers of this song through the years (Yes, I’m looking at you Rihanna) that I almost wrote it off with One Love, and Three Little Birds. But I think that longtime study of the words gave me such a deep appreciation for this song that I can’t let it go. We forward in this generation, triumphantly!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrcA6j-GRE8&w=420&h=315]
2. Satisfy my Soul – I discovered this song relatively late. I was very used to the revolutionary side of Bob, but not so much his love songs. Come to think of it, I first listened to this song because I read the Colin Channer book of the same name. Colin Channer is a great (New-York based) Jamaican writer, who hails from my hometown of Montego Bay. Anyway, I remember listening to this song for the first time, and just getting it. Whatever it is.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-EzXLQsHJA&w=420&h=315]
1. War – Adapted from the words of a speech made by then Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie 1 before the UN General Assembly in 1963. The words still ring true today. Another song for the soundtrack to any revolution. Unfortunately the best videos of him performing this song can’t be embedded, but you can always visit the Island Records youtube page for more videos.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR8r7_Lk0oQ&w=560&h=315]
Special Mentions:
Forever Loving Jah
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUqHHYfpGvU&w=420&h=315]
Duppy Conqueror
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=proT2o4z16k&w=420&h=315]
Could You Be Loved
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-_NMAllsJc&w=420&h=315]
Rastaman Chant
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV_tKUoWZak&w=420&h=315]
What are your favorites?
Zion Train is not there?
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