The Honorable Robert Nesta Marley

September 28, 2005

So I had to get on the grind this morning around 7. I’m always up by 7, but I don’t like to go straight into whatever work I have. I’d prefer to watch some SportsCenter, snack on a lil somethin, maybe even sneak a game or five of PlayStation in. Not today–deadline was early, so it was time to take the machine up to my office and get to grindin (when I have time to work with, I work from the couch).
So what do you listen to when working at 7 in the morning? I usually listen to something crunk in the shower, anything from that new Banner (fire) to old Black Sabbath. Just to get things going, yanno?
But Baba had to think…so it was Bob Marley. Was in a Marley mood, anyway. Not one of the mellow moods he sang about, thank you. Just a Marley mood. Bob is good for working because he’s chill but frequently energetic. Anyway, looking at my playlist of a hundred or so songs, I decided to finally try to list my ten favorite Bob Marley songs. The albums are listed in parentheses.
This is gonna be hard.

10. Redemption Song (Uprising). Look, I know this has got a lot of quotes that look great on T-shirts, but this is not the dopest Marley song ever. It might be his most representative song–something particularly fitting considering it was, I believe, the last song he performed in concert–but best? Not quite, baby.
9. Misty Morning (Kaya). I wish more band directors were into reggae. The trombone section at Southern, PV, or FAMU needs to handle this one.
8. Is This Love (Kaya). Whenever I’m loopy for somebody, this song is the one that’ll pop in my head. One problem, though–now that I’m not in college, you won’t catch me gettin’ busy in a single bed ever again. Six-foot-four, baby. Too tall for all of that. They can come ride down the hill on this sleight…if they’re sane enough to handle knowing where I live.
7. Wake Up and Live (Survival). Funky as hell. If you’re not up on this one, check it out.
6. I Shot the Sheriff/Get Up, Stand Up (Burnin’). First two songs on “Burnin’,” and it’s nearly impossible to separate one from the other. For real, sit down one day with the bass up as high as is tolerable, turn down the treble, and just listen to the bottom on “Sheriff.” My brother once said this might be the best instrumental of the Marley catalog, and he might be right. Oh yeah, and I would kill to write anything half as good as either song. As for “Get Up, Stand Up,” it doesn’t get much more incendiary. Well, until you get to “Burnin’ and Lootin'” on the same album.
5. I Know (Confrontation). One of those posthumous releases that just makes you mad at the universe, if you get me drift.
4. Concrete Jungle (Catch a Fire). I have no idea what to say. If you need to hear it, lemme know.
3. Zimbabwe/Africa Unite (Survival). I’ve always viewed these songs as separate stanzas of the same thing. “Africa Unite” proves that we can shake our asses and get liberated at the same time. Here’s the thing about “Zimbabwe”–that song has remained timely for the last quarter-century. Know what that is? A damn shame.
2. Johnny Was (Rastaman Vibration). Almost the predecessor to Organized Konfusion’s “Stray Bullet.” The band is so fierce, Bob takes on a slightly different voice than we’re accustomed to, and it’s ridiculously powerful.
1. No Woman, No Cry (Legend, Live, Natty Dread). Again, some songs are loved by everyone for a reason. Absolutely flawless, particularly the seven minute live version that’s on the Tuff Gong version of Legend. If your version of Legend has the Island logo on the disc, you’re seriously getting cheated with short versions of this and “Exodus,” and you also don’t get “Easy Skanking.” Take it back and get a refund. Chris Blackwell should get flogged for that.
Am I missing songs? Of course. I’d probably make a different list if I did this fifteen minutes before I did it. Here are some honorable mentions, though. And feel free to put your suggestions in the comments, btw.
Iron Lion Zion
Buffalo Soldier
Mellow Mood
Lively Up Yourself
Mellow Mood
Slave Driver
Soul Rebel
Kinky Reggae
Bad Card
Natty Dread
No More Trouble
Turn Your Lights Down Low
Want More
Rat Race
Burnin’ and Lootin’
Forever Loving Jah
Jah Live
Pimper’s Paradise

Comments


Clarence

September 20, 1276, 7:43 am

War... always been one of my favorites if not THE favorite. How did I forget "War?" Written by that pop music legend Haile Selassie.

Tavares

September 20, 1275, 7:43 am

Time Will Tell Running Natural Mystic!!!!!!! Babylon System Guiltiness Time Will Tell Running Natural Mystic!!!!!!! Babylon System Guiltiness

Tavares

September 20, 1277, 7:43 am

I like "War" too. But I think the color of a man's eyes is significant.

Tavares

September 20, 1278, 7:43 am

I like "War" too. But I think the color of a man's eyes is significant.

strongforu

September 20, 1279, 7:43 am

Growing up Southern Baptists I was petrified of Bob Marley and all that 'Rastas' stood for. However, as a young adult I heard so many good things about Bob Marley that I went out and bought a 'Best of', then I bought another and another. I learned that just because I don't 'smoke' or believe everything an artist believes doesn't mean that I can't appreciate their music. However, I'm still not ready for Black Sabbath...lol. Sabbath's a trip. Unreal rhythm section, and fairly well-written songs. Oh, and Ozzy. Gotta love Ozzy. The fun about them is that they are a top notch metal band with a minor league guitar player.

strongforu

September 20, 1280, 7:43 am

Growing up Southern Baptists I was petrified of Bob Marley and all that 'Rastas' stood for. However, as a young adult I heard so many good things about Bob Marley that I went out and bought a 'Best of', then I bought another and another. I learned that just because I don't 'smoke' or believe everything an artist believes doesn't mean that I can't appreciate their music. However, I'm still not ready for Black Sabbath...lol. Sabbath's a trip. Unreal rhythm section, and fairly well-written songs. Oh, and Ozzy. Gotta love Ozzy. The fun about them is that they are a top notch metal band with a minor league guitar player.

selder

September 20, 1281, 7:43 am

Love that you included Pimper's Paradise and Lively Up Yourself (this song just gives you the most incredible feeling, especially at high volume). I would add: Punky Reggae Party and Kaya. And name checking Organized Konfusion's "Stray Bullet"? Are you sure you're only 24? Also, Sabbath is the shit. Actually, I'm 25, one month, and two days. I doubt that takes away from your point, though. I bumped a little OK back in the day, though. Even remember when Nas sorta bit the song with "I Gave You Power." That Nas song's not hot, by the way. That just had to be said. Simply coming up with a concept isn't enough to make a song good. See "Money Is My Bitch" for another Esco example of that. See "Rewind" for a time when he takes a concept and absolutely nails it.

The Other Bo

September 20, 1282, 7:43 am

Coming in from the Cold and Exodus. (only referenced to not on the list) Iron Lion Zion is the only song that makes my body tense while i wait for the hook. Too crunk

The Other Bo

September 20, 1283, 7:43 am

Coming in from the Cold and Exodus. (only referenced to not on the list) Iron Lion Zion is the only song that makes my body tense while i wait for the hook. Too crunk


Laylah

September 20, 1284, 7:43 am

Baba, is that your nick name? I dig it, cute. Yeah, I was just listening to my Bob Marley collection the other day and I noticed that the earlier albums had less musicans and the musical compositions weren't all that complex but the lyrics were so potent and straightforward. With the later albums came an expanded subject matter, romantic love songs, partying, etc; they got more musicians on board with different types of instruments and slicker compositions. Not necessarily better work. The grassroots and passion was in the earlier stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love all of Bob's work!! But, albums like Rastaman Vibration has that real organic thing going on. I'm more convinced with the younger stuff. See ya, Baba. Middle name's Babatunde, so Baba's a shortened version. Fair warning, though--expressing unequivocal love for Bob like that might be grounds for being drug tested the second you show up to your gig.

Laylah

September 20, 1285, 7:43 am

Baba, is that your nick name? I dig it, cute. Yeah, I was just listening to my Bob Marley collection the other day and I noticed that the earlier albums had less musicans and the musical compositions weren't all that complex but the lyrics were so potent and straightforward. With the later albums came an expanded subject matter, romantic love songs, partying, etc; they got more musicians on board with different types of instruments and slicker compositions. Not necessarily better work. The grassroots and passion was in the earlier stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love all of Bob's work!! But, albums like Rastaman Vibration has that real organic thing going on. I'm more convinced with the younger stuff. See ya, Baba. Middle name's Babatunde, so Baba's a shortened version. Fair warning, though--expressing unequivocal love for Bob like that might be grounds for being drug tested the second you show up to your gig.

Fred Batiste, A Weapon of Mass Destruction

September 20, 1286, 7:43 am

War is my shit. That and Burnin' and Lootin' was crunk before crunk was crunk. I love Easy Skankin', I just wanna sample the first 10-15 seconds of "coming in from the cold"... What about Rebel Music/3 o'clock roadblock...or even Trenchtown Rock.

Fred Batiste, A Weapon of Mass Destruction

September 20, 1287, 7:43 am

War is my shit. That and Burnin' and Lootin' was crunk before crunk was crunk. I love Easy Skankin', I just wanna sample the first 10-15 seconds of "coming in from the cold"... What about Rebel Music/3 o'clock roadblock...or even Trenchtown Rock.

AD

September 20, 1288, 7:43 am

"rewind" ain't hot either "i gave you power" got such beat and storyline issues... "i used to love h.e.r." and "stray bullet" trounce those songs

AD

September 20, 1289, 7:43 am

"rewind" ain't hot either "i gave you power" got such beat and storyline issues... "i used to love h.e.r." and "stray bullet" trounce those songs

Ben

September 20, 1290, 7:43 am

I think Tony Iommi's pretty good considering that he's missing some fingertips. And Bob...well, I see it like this: if listening to Bob Marley doesn't change your life, I'm probably not gonna like you.

Ben

September 20, 1291, 7:43 am

I think Tony Iommi's pretty good considering that he's missing some fingertips. And Bob...well, I see it like this: if listening to Bob Marley doesn't change your life, I'm probably not gonna like you.

SisterJ

September 20, 1292, 7:43 am

1. So Jah Seh 2. Them Belly Full But We Hungry

SisterJ

September 20, 1293, 7:43 am

1. So Jah Seh 2. Them Belly Full But We Hungry

SisterJ

September 20, 1294, 7:43 am

And for anyone from the ghetto... 3. Trench Town Rock

SisterJ

September 20, 1295, 7:43 am

And for anyone from the ghetto... 3. Trench Town Rock

aliajsmith

September 20, 1296, 7:43 am

Satisfy My Soul...The yearning in that song is palpable. And...I know it's cliche, but "Three Little Birds"...sometimes we all need someone to tell us that every little ting is gonna be alright. Other than that, your list is my list, mayn.

Kirk

September 20, 1297, 7:43 am

This brings up an important topic. As background, let me state that I am white. That being said, I propose a national movement where if you EVER see a white guy with a Bob Marley or Che Guevara T-shirt on (think Rage Against the Machine), slap the shit out of them until they see the error of their ways.

Kirk

September 20, 1298, 7:43 am

This brings up an important topic. As background, let me state that I am white. That being said, I propose a national movement where if you EVER see a white guy with a Bob Marley or Che Guevara T-shirt on (think Rage Against the Machine), slap the shit out of them until they see the error of their ways.