From ska to reggae, dancehall to dub, Jamaica’s music has touched hearts worldwide. Master these iconic reggae songs to impress audiences worldwide and take your performance to new heights.
Desmond Dekker’s groundbreaking 1968 hit, “Israelites,” set a precedent for Jamaican society’s social issues to be tackled with humor and positivity.
Israelites
Israelites by Jamaican singer Desmond Dekker is a classic reggae song, often used to illustrate black Jamaicans to biblical Israelites enslaved in modern-day Babylon, appealing for justice from God and hearing their pleas – this theme can often be found within reggae songs.
This song also discusses racial oppression in Britain at that time, with lyrics such as people being robbed and harassed by police forces as well as their homes being demolished – a powerful message which resonates with listeners worldwide.
Reggae music often tackles social issues like poverty and unemployment as well as globalization’s effects. Cannabis (known variously as herb, ganja or sinsemilla in Rastafari circles) is considered sacred by this movement and promoted within it; spiritual themes have also been popular – with reggae bands covering songs from Motown Records as well as Atlantic Soul/Funk artists like Black Box.
Musically, reggae draws influence from rhythm and blues, jazz, mento (a rural folk music form from Jamaica), calypso and traditional African rhythms. A notable characteristic is its offbeat rhythm known as a “skank” beat; this features staccato chords played on guitar or piano at every measure’s offbeats and makes reggae usually slower than its cousins ska and rocksteady.
Police And Thieves
Junior Murvin’s 1976 song tells an uncomplicated yet powerful narrative about crime in Jamaica, depicting both police officers and criminals as opposing forces within society. With the chorus “Police and thieves in the streets fighting the nation with guns and ammunition”, Murvin shows us the destructive potential of an ongoing struggle while encouraging listeners to recognize its destructive potential and seek solutions.
Reggae music draws its roots from ska and rocksteady, featuring rhythms driven by bass guitar or drums and featuring chunking effects called skengay (rhythmic chords played on the offbeats of each measure). Reggae also incorporates elements of jazz, calypso (another Jamaican folk form), mento and calypso as well as African folk influences; its most distinctive characteristics being its offbeat rhythms and call-and-response structures.
Reggae music has long been used to express political opinions and address religious doctrine, with artists using songs as platforms for this cause. Dancehall deejays of the 1980s and ’90s perfected this practice through toasting: they would use lyrics over instrumental tracks. This politically charged form of reggae music expanded its reach among black communities while leading to hip-hop’s birth at the turn of this millennium.
Innocent Blood
Reggae music encompasses everything from ska and rocksteady, dancehall and dub. Selecting 25 great songs from an genre known for romantic outsiders, ghetto passion and the endless fight to survive can be an arduous task.
Jamaican music is full of creativity, filled with innovative artists. However, its best reggae songs often reflect life’s darker sides while embodying defiant human spirits who refuse to be silenced. Of particular note are songs addressing black nationalist themes, antiracism and colonialism such as this powerful 1976 track by singer/songwriter Bunny Wailer.
Many mistakenly misunderstand UB40 as just another pop reggae band, yet their 1977 song Two Sevens Clash proves their versatility by exploring serious topics with style and humor. This powerful track claims the West will receive justice for their history of slavery and imperialism while making you want to sing along to its infectious ska-reggae beat and signature guitar rhythm (known as’reggae beat’) at once. Also prominent in this classic piece is its iconic guitar skanking rhythm which emphasizes third beat of bar and sometimes called reggae beat).
Champion Lover
Reggae music has long been recognized for its social commentary; however, many songs also address lighter topics like love and religion. Furthermore, reggae music is known for promoting cannabis use (also referred to as herb, ganja or sinsemilla) which Rastafari consider holy sacrament of their religious movement.
As with other Jamaican popular music, reggae was imbued with the sounds and pressures of Jamaica’s streets. Artists used skanking guitar rhythms and an emotive vocal style called scat to recreate the atmosphere in Jamaica’s ghettos, while an explosive sound effect called skengay mimicked gunfire in Kingston’s urban neighborhoods. These sounds provided inspiration for dancehall deejays to politicize reggae by rapping over instrumental tracks – an influence that led directly to hip-hop’s rise at the turn of century while broadening audiences for reggae music as an artistic genre.
One of the most beloved reggae hits was UB40’s “Red, Red Wine.” Its infectious rhythm and simple chord progression makes it an accessible way for beginners to start learning reggae music. Furthermore, its lyrics — which focus on life’s ups and downs — offer insight into Jamaican culture.
I’m Not For Sale
As ska gave way to reggae, artists like Junior Byles and Bunny Wailer began pushing it further into social commentary. Reggae artists frequently used lyrics as social commentary against materialism or apartheid effects, often using cannabis (also known as herb, ganja, sinsemilla etc) as part of Rastafari beliefs as a sacrament or offering in religious rituals.
Lover’s rock was a popular subgenre of reggae that celebrated erotic love, especially among Jamaican audiences. Deborahe Glasgow’s 1989 hit for Toots and the Maytals “Champion Lover,” created by Shabba Ranks under Toots and the Maytals, showcased female desire. When Shabba Ranks created “Mr. Lover Man,” its focus shifted inexorably toward male lustfulness.
Toots and the Maytals’s hit “Legendary Woman,” with its powerful melody and energy, is an ideal way to get started playing reggae music. With its catchy rhythm and simple chord progression, you will quickly advance your skills! For something less strident but equally effective try Jimmy Cliff’s “Many Rivers to Cross.” Its sweet melody and positive lyrics make this another excellent pick for budding reggae musicians – for even more great reggae tunes check out this list of 25 Greatest Reggae Songs!
Satta Massagana
Reggae music has long been associated with social criticism and religious references in its lyrics, yet also serves as an expression of love and socialization. One Jamaican group’s take on ghetto passion quickly became a classic of its genre: Gregory Isaacs used it in 1973 when playing out his romantic outsider persona for Gregory Isaacs (Richard Dean Anderson was one such performer), Augustus Pablo played it during Rockers (1978 film), and finally Freddie McGregor made it his own in 1991.
Toots and the Maytals’ version is truly infectious, making this song one of the easiest tracks on our list to move your feet to. If you want to get moving and dance along to something soulful, this riddim and its soulful vocals is an ideal place to start!
The Tide Is High
While reggae’s lyrics often address social criticism and religion, its songs also often explore lighter topics like love and socializing. An excellent example is The Tide Is High by Jamaican band The Paragons from 1967 and later covered by British rock group Blondie in 1980 – although originally featuring violinist “White Rum” Raymond with male perspective vocals starting at 1:33; their version made into an international success due to being made more inclusive for female empowerment anthem status by turning it into an anthem sung from female perspective!
Blondie are best known for pioneering New Wave, an evolving subculture which included punk music before adopting reggae, rap and reggae to produce pop hits from the late 70s through to the 80s. Their version of this track, however, is pure reggae/ska with its signature horns and the Chachalaca (mark tree) melody adding depth. British girl group Atomic Kitten later covered this track and even reached number one in UK charts in 2002!
Desmond Dekker made history when he released this 1971 classic by effectively channeling the woes of Jamaica’s poor through music. By employing an understated yet effective musical arrangement to tell a working class man’s tale of struggle, Dekker managed to make this subject matter sound uplifting rather than depressing – an absolute masterpiece!