Celebrating reggae king birthday: Bob Marley’s songs you couldn’t have missed

Worshiped by millions, the proponent of reggae music and Rastafarian Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley Bob is still inspiring all of you to “stand up for your rights”. Mostly known for his music, this Jamaican singer-songwriter, musician and guitarist who was internationally acclaimed, blending mostly reggae in his compositions. Marley was an all-out supporter of the Rastafari movement, whose culture was the soul inspiration of reggae music.

Bob propagated reggae music from interiors of Jamaica across the international music scene. His first group was formed in 1963 and was called Bob Marley and the Wailers. Their melodies are still resonating disregarding any border.

Marley was also Pan-Africanist and an anti-imperialist who wanted the unity of African people worldwide. More than many of his songs, such as “Zimbabwe”, “Exodus”, “Survival”, “Blackman Redemption”, and “Redemption Song” are based on anti-imperialistic themes. Bob Marley believed in the freedom of Africa from the West; to end the slavery.

Bob Marley and the Marijuana Controversy:

Marley considered marijuana an “aid to medication” and he outspokenly demanded the legalisation of this drug. Marley not only consumed cannabis personally but he was also preaching it as he changed his religion from Catholicism to Rastafari. After being arrested for possession of marijuana, the singer spent a month in prison, during which time he met many prisoners that he formed strong relationships with. These prisoners motivated him to write songs with a more political message. In the year 1968 for possessing cannabis, but continued to use marijuana in accordance with his religious beliefs. Of his marijuana usage, he said,

“When you smoke herb, herb reveal yourself to you. All the wickedness you do, the herb reveal itself to yourself, your conscience, show up yourself clear, because herb makes you meditate. Are only a natural t’ing and it grow like a tree”

Bob Marley’s greatest hits album, ‘Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers,’ holds the record as the biggest-selling reggae album to date, with 10 million copies sold in the U.S. and approximately 25 million worldwide. According to Forbes, his estate earned $17 million in 2012, through record sales and merchandising. Yes, his records still sell!

When Bob was terminally ill he wanted to end his days in Jamaica, but unfortunately, on the Germany to Jamaica journey, didn’t make it past Miami. Ever the romantic, he was buried on home turf along with a soccer ball, his Gibson Les Paul guitar, and a bud of marijuana!

Nearly 34 years after his death and on his 70^th birthday, let us retrospect on the best of Bob Marley’s rebelling and protest songs which are still hummed on a many lips, throughout the world:

“Simmer Down,” 1962