Jamaica, land we love. Born Robert Nesta Marley, in Nine Miles, St. Ann, Jamaica, Marley grew up to be a singer and songwriter. With a white father and black mother, he lived in Trench Town where we eventually formed the Wailers with the likes of Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston. His music consisted of a mix of ska and rock steady with rock, pioneering the genre now known as reggae. In May of 1981 Marley died of cancer. His legacy grew even more in death than in life. In this playlist we will explore the works of world-renowned artist Bob Marley.
Playlist:
Redemption Song- Bob Marley
Released in 1973, Redemption song quickly became an anthem for Marley. Paying homage to Marcus Garvey, a black nationalist and Pan-African philosopher and activist, Marley took inspiration from a speech made by Garvey in 1937 in which he stated, "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery...none but ourselves can free our minds". There were so many versions of the song that were recorded including one with the Wailers as backup vocalists and a ska beat. However, the final and most popular version of the song was an acoustic version with just Marley and his guitar, providing a more inspirational vibe to the song that still resonates with listeners to this day.
One Love- Bob Marley
Marley was one of the few people that was gifted enough to write anthems that promoted peace and love and they be widely accepted. "One Love" is a prime example of this. If there is only one song that people know by Bob Marley it would be this. The main message that he sought to spread through his music was that people should always just peace and love instead of war. The song was rewritten and released during a time where Marley no longer wanted to pick sides when it came to political matters in Jamaica in hopes that the song would be received by everyone no matter their age, race, religion or gender.
I Shot the Sheriff- Bob Marley & The Wailers
"I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy oh no." Featured on the show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when Will Smith decided to dress as Bob Marley in one particular episode in the 90s was quite comedic. Marley wrote the song in 1973 as a protest song promoting the idea of justice. Marley made it clear that his lyrics about shooting the "sheriff" and not the "deputy" were not meant to suggest he was targeting all uniformed individuals, but rather those who sought to get rid of him.
Buffalo Soldier- Bob Marley & The Wailers
Released in 1983, "Buffalo Soldier" is a song that addresses the hardships of African Americans and the personal experiences of Bob Marley. Drawing inspiration from the Buffalo Soldiers' narrative, Marley employed their story as a metaphor to highlight the oppression and discrimination prevalent at the time of the song's release. The lyrics also shed light on the soldiers' legacy and their contributions to the American Civil War. Marley sought to appeal to audiences to acknowledge and respect the sacrifices of those who fought for equality. Marley related their lives to his and the discrimination that he encountered.
Jammin'- Bob Marley & The Wailers
"We jammin", a song that gets whoever is listening to move. Released in 1977 on the album "Exodus", the core message of the song is about unity and finding comfort in music. Marley's words inspire individuals from diverse backgrounds to release their concerns, reduce discord, and cultivate unity. The compelling beat of "Jammin'" injects a lively spirit that echoes with the audience, reminding them to value unity and share happiness.
Turn Your Lights Down Low- Bob Marley and Lauryn HillOriginally released in 1977 on the "Exodus" album, this song presents the ideas of love and peace between people and their families. In 1999, a remastered version of the song by Lauryn Hill with Bob Marley as a feature was released and instantly became a hit. The song mixes the genres of reggae and soul in a perfect blend for audiences to enjoy. Along with love the song gives audiences the feeling that they could be vulnerable and sincere with their feelings and relationships whether it be with family, friends or intimately.
References
Barrett, W. (2023, September 5). The Meaning Behind The Song: Buffalo Soldier by Bob Marley. Old Time Music. https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-buffalo-soldier-by-bob-marley/
McCann, I. (2020, February 5). Redemption Song: The Story Behind Bob Marley’s Timeless Anthem | uDiscover. UDiscover Music. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/bob-marley-redemption-song-story/
Traxler, G. (2024, May 20). The Meaning Behind The Song: Jammin’ by Bob Marley. Old Time Music. https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-jammin-by-bob-marley/
Uitti, J. (2022, June 27). Behind the Meaning of “I Shot the Sheriff” by Bob Marley. American Songwriter. https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-meaning-of-the-song-i-shot-the-sheriff-by-bob-marley/
White, T. (2019). Bob Marley | Jamaican Musician. In Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Marley
Dutch-Speaking Caribbean Portfolio Precious Major June 6th, 2024 Rudy Plaate Introduction: The Dutch-speaking Caribbean consists of two island groups, the Dutch Winward islands and the Dutch Leeward islands. For the purpose of this playlist, we will focus on Curacao and the artist of choice will be Rudy Plaate, known as the "singing greengrocer" of Curacao. As a singer, in the local Papiamento language, his passion for music was evident , and h e gained popularity in pop media with his jingles in his native language and advertisements that were fit to promote the local culture. Song 1-Atardi Plaate sang of his love for the island on his big hit “Atardi.” The song became his country’s unofficial national anthem. Most of his songs spoke about daily occurrences and how he felt about them. "Atardi" when translated means "afternoon/in the evening". In the song we can hear and feel how passionate Plaate is about his island, and he describes its beauty as the
Spanish-Speaking Caribbean Portfolio Precious Major June 14th, 2024 Bad Bunny: A Puerto Rican Gem Introduction: Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican artist, has obtained a worldwide audience. He achieved fame by writing and performing in Spanish. this made him different from previous artists who transitioned to English to expand their fan base. The three-time Grammy winner is celebrated for hits like "Titi Me Pregunto," "Dakiti," "Moscow Mule," and the chart-topping "I Like It" alongside Cardi B and J Balvin. His 2020 release, "El Último Tour del Mundo," made history as the first all-Spanish language album to top the Billboard 200. Bad Bunny got his start by sharing his music on SoundCloud while attending college. In this playlist we will explore some of his most influential songs and controversial videos that are associated with those songs. Song 1: Solo de Mi In the music video for "Solo de Mi," Bad Bunny delivers a potent message aga
Comments
Post a Comment