Music produced can describe emotions, events or people. It is eclectic and diverse, and can both unite and polarise people, situations and causes. A true musical ‘legend’ is the iconic Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley.
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While many of us can recognise his image from t-shirts and posters, I wonder how many have heard his music and understand how meaningful his collection of songs still are today.
Nesta Robert Marley – Bob Marley – was born in Jamaica in 1945. He grew up very poor in Jamaica and being biracial, he was subjected to racism.
The poverty and racism he experienced shaped him and his music. Later in his life, Bob Marley embraced the Rastafarian religion, a social and religious movement that had emerged in Jamaica in the 1930’s.
In 1963, Bob Marley formed the band Bob Marley and the Wailers with other reggae artists including Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. By 1974, the band members had gone on to pursue solo careers with Bob Marley keeping the original band name.
During his career, Bob Marley produced a large collection of more than 100 songs including Buffalo Soldier, Exodus, and I Shot the Sherriff.
While Bob Marley was vocal about poverty, oppression, violence and injustice, he was not angry. Bob Marley’s music showcased themes of social justice, human rights, peace, love and unity. He is quoted as saying, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
Sadly, Bob Marley passed away with melanoma in 1981 at the age of 36. He left behind the incredible legacy.
Bob Marley’s songs still have messages that are relevant today. For example, Bob Marley song Get Up Stand Up was written as a protest song for Jamaican people to fight for their rights and fight against racism. “Get up, stand up,
stand up for your rights! Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight.”
Today, many people still have to fight against racism.
Redemption Song is a simple, acoustic song where the clean, pure sound places the emphasis on the powerful lyrics.
“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our mind.”
These words are important today as they tell us we are free to have our own opinions and thoughts. We can control our own minds.
Another important song with messages relevant for today is One Love. This song is about how there is only one love and reminds us to treat each other with compassion and kindness, singing:
“Sayin’, ‘One love, one heart
Let’s get together and feel all right’.
I’m pleading to mankind (One love)
Oh, Lord (One heart) Whoa.
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right.
Let’s get together and feel all right.
Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel all right.
Let’s get together and feel all right.”
There are modern artists who also have a social conscience and write songs with meaning. Earlier this year, Childish Gambino produced the confronting song, This is America about gun violence and racism against black people in America. The rapper Logic, along with Alessia Cara and Khalid, created the song 1800-273-8255 which was about suicide prevention for youth. And, Beyoncé wrote the song Formation about Hurricane Katrina, police brutality and racism.
These modern songs all have powerful messages conveyed through both the songs and the videos. Bob Marley’s music relied only on his lyrics, not videos.
Will the music of these current artists be relevant in five years, in 50 years… forever? I can’t be sure, but I do know that Bob Marley, and his legacy of music most certainly will be.
Bob Marley is much more than dreadlocks. He is a true legend whose music still has meaning today. Listen to some of his music. Start with the album Legend.
