Reggae music hits like Toots Hibbert’s prison song to Bob Marley channeling Emperor Haile Selassie’s words of wisdom prove that songs can often have deeper meaning beyond catchy beats.
Desmond Dekker’s “Israelites” was one of the few songs that discussed Jamaican poverty with grace and nuance, placing an often complex subject into an accessible context that resonated with listeners of any background.
1. Bam Bam
Toots and the Maytals won Jamaica’s national song competition with Bam Bam in 1966; at that point it had only recently started making waves. Since then it has become one of the most sampled reggae music songs ever, helping numerous artists find their voices.
This song’s lyrics express love for oneself and freedom from oppressive systems. While its roots lie within Rastafarian movement, its message transcends and speaks directly to all of humanity; its words provide an affirmation that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
This track became one of the biggest Jamaican hits of 2016, sitting comfortably atop iTunes charts for six weeks before being featured on Netflix’s crime drama Ozark and ultimately rising to number one on iTunes the week of its premiere and remaining there ever since.
Camila Cabello has been hard at work on her latest album and gave fans a taste in February with her upbeat single, “Bam Bam.” While this could be seen as a tribute to Shawn Mendes – her former flame from Fifth Harmony – it really serves to remind people that no matter what comes their way they can persevere and overcome difficult circumstances.
Jacky Bam Bam always knew he wanted to become both an on-air rock radio personality and Mummer, which are both now realities for him. Since 1997 he’s been DJing at 93.3 WMMR as a Golden Sunrise NYA Fancy Division Mummer; plus, his own podcast chronicling his journey through Philadelphia music scene!
2. Slowdown
Reggae music can often be overtly sexual and feature female desire in its lyrics, as seen with Deborahe Glasgow’s Champion Lover from British lovers rock singer Deborahe Glasgow that became an enormous hit in 1989. Jamaican rap icon Shabba Ranks later recorded Mr. Lover Man which included both male and female vocals while still maintaining its original attitude.
Jamaica’s most celebrated export is Bob Marley, who popularized reggae around the world through ska and rocksteady influences. Toots and the Maytals played an important role in developing reggae; their 1969 single Pressure Drop became a landmark track when featured as part of The Harder They Come film soundtrack; further popularizing Toots & Maytals music to wider audiences.
I’m So Glad by UK two-tone band The Specials was one of the biggest reggae hits ever released in 1981 and it stands as one of its all-time great hits. A haunting track that addresses many contemporary issues in Britain such as unemployment and inner city violence, it became one of the first reggae songs to make the UK chart and spent three weeks at number one.
Other top reggae hits include UB40’s Kingston Town from 1971, written to honor Jamaica’s capital city and featured in Hair musical. This song became an instantaneous hit both for them and rock band The Clash who covered it on their 1976 album Ska and Reggae.
3. Get Up
Marley wrote this beautiful love song to one variety of exceptional ganja, perhaps his finest song ever on this topic. Conceived while on a farm in Jamaica’s Hanover Parish with Perry as inspiration, the track celebrates “kaya that makes you feel so good it takes away your mind” and touches upon its ability to bring “touch the sky”. Regardless of how high or not you may be feeling this tune will surely leave you in an upbeat frame of mind.
Marley was masterful at conveying his Rastafarian beliefs through song. On this track, he modified the Fifties ballad “Crying in the Chapel” to pay homage to Ethiopian emperor and Rasta deity Haile Selassie I, along with soft guitars, slow processional drumming, vintage Wailers harmonies and vintage Wailers vocals he sang his famous lines “Take your troubles to Selassie/He is the only King of Kings!” A timeless classic.
Reggae music cannot exist without religion being mentioned, and few Jamaican musicians expressed it with such conviction as Marley. Inspired by chants at a rally for Rhodesia’s liberation from white British rule, he composed this anthem of revolutionary Pan-African unity to tight grooves and echos of “Get Up, Stand Up.” Jamaica is a melting pot of religions; Marley mentions Catholicism, Methodism and Anglicanism that make up his church (Rastafarianism), along with any number of -isms you might encounter – producing an upbeat call to action that continues to resonate today as it did when first released in 1976 by The Wailers’ debut album Rastaman Vibration which became an instant Billboard Top Ten hit.
4. The Tide Is High
The Tide Is High is both an anthem for justice and an impassioned plea to take action against injustices of race and economic disparity, inspiring countless individuals around the globe to join movements fighting for equality and civil rights.
No matter what progress has been made, we must remain vigilant and continue to fight for what’s right. Additionally, this hit reggae song celebrates Black people and their unbreakable spirit.
UB40’s rendition of this romantic ballad not only became an international reggae music classic, but also reached number one on several charts worldwide. Their version combined Caribbean rhythms with classical orchestral arrangements to create an exciting reggae music soundscape that resonated with listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
Burning Spear’s version of This Is Our Time is still an effective anti-crime anthem and one of Jamaica’s most iconic songs ever, representing its point. Its direct narrative about police corruption and crime echoed riots surrounding Notting Hill Carnival that year and remains one of its most beloved renditions today.
Blondie’s version of Jamaican reggae music hit “Hallelujah,” written and performed by The Paragons in 1964, doesn’t sound like something that should top the charts; however, it does work! Harry was an ardent supporter of British ska revival and had wanted to record this track with The Specials–the band who mainstreamed reggae–but they declined their offer. Still, Harry gave it their best shot, producing a cleaner sound than its original rocksteady original; its delicate soulful vocals supported by intricate drum rolls and string plucks make for a song full of soulfulness!
5. I Strictly Roots
Reggae music hails from Jamaica and has since become an international phenomenon, having inspired other forms of musical expression. With its powerful rhythm and signature off-beat beat paired with spiritual or political lyrics that capture its powerful soundscape, reggae remains one of the most unique styles ever to emerge from this island nation. Reggae can be upbeat or rebellious; romantic or bold all at the same time; but always exudes an atmosphere which cannot be found elsewhere.
Bob Marley is widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest reggae artists of all time, with many of his songs becoming classics. His music captured the spirit of Jamaica while spreading a message of peace, love, and redemption – which would later inspire numerous artists around the globe. Together with The Wailers he became a worldwide phenomenon whose music inspired countless other musicians worldwide.
UB40 may be best known for their pop-reggae hits like “Red, Red Wine” and “One in Ten,” but they also produced serious tracks such as 1981’s “I’m Not for Sale,” which addresses slavery head on and cautions the West that their treatment of Jamaican people will eventually come back to bite them in the form of consequences.
Reggae music has historically been dominated by male artists; however, Janet Kay stands out as an exception with her success as part of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ three-person vocal group. Janet boasts a great singing voice suited well for reggae music that could even rival some male vocalists!
Buju Banton is a modern reggae star who recently made a comeback following an extended hiatus. His latest hit “Blessed,” is an upbeat song celebrating life and love that features Koffee (who has since won multiple Grammy awards at 19) as one of its featured artists. The track boasts youthful back-and-forth energy between both talented performers, creating an energetic yet catchy track.