In the 1970s and early 80’s, Bob Marley made music for his home country of Jamaica. Jamaica was going through rough times, and Bob’s music called for love, peace, and for the country to unite. His music became insanely popular around the world, from the USA to Europe to Asia. Tragically, Bob died of cancer in 1981 at the peak of his career, but his legacy and popularity did not fade. In fact, I believe that his over 40-year-old collection of rebel music is still not only worth listening to, but also still carries great impact and meaning, as well as cements him as one of the greatest figures in music ever in my opinion.

I’ve been listening to Bob Marley for a long time, mostly thanks to my Mom, who often played his 1977 album Exodus on her CD player. I was drawn to the chill beats, cool vibe, and Bob’s incredible voice, and as I got older I began to listen to more and more of Marley’s music. I also began to read more about the man himself and pay more attention to the lyrics, which cover topics of love, unification, peace, and equality as well as spiritual Rastafari themes. Bob wrote many of these songs for a 1970s Jamaica, which besides its poverty issues, experienced a major political power shift that spurred political gang violence and overall unrest across the country. Both political parties attempted to sway Marley, but he never chose a side and instead promoted unity and peace. There were numerous threats made on his life by political gangs, and in 1976 he survived an assassination attempt in which he was shot in both the chest and arm. Bob remained politically neutral and outspoken in his peaceful beliefs through his music, however,it became too dangerous for him to stay in Jamaica. But in 1978, he returned to his homeland to put on his groundbreaking One Love concert. When asked what he would think if he were Marley trying to decide to return to Jamaica, ERHS alumni Landon Breckner said “I would feel anxious and afraid, but I would have faith that what would happen would be (great) if I did.” There, at the concert, Bob famously joined the hands of both of Jamaica’s rival political leaders on stage in front of a crowd of 32,000, a symbol that love and peace can conquer all differences.

I see Bob Marley’s music as music for the hopeful. Songs like “One Love/People Get Ready” and “Three Little Birds” are uplifting tunes celebrating unity and love. Songs like “Johnny Was” and “Redemption Song” display the struggles of the Jamaican people, crying out for positive change. He is no doubt the biggest reggae superstar of all time, and it’s almost impossible to go to a reggae music festival without seeing numerous pictures of him with his signature dreadlocks on shirts, banners, and posters. Marley wrote music for his nation and ended up captivating the world, and it is simply because the main ideas of his music, love, peace, unity, hope, companionship, facing hardships and oppression, and positive change, are relevant everywhere. “Bob Marley has achieved immortality,” wrote Life Magazine, “lifted anew by each generation singing his songs, from Pittsburgh to Addis Abbaba, Japan to Jamaica.” Next time you’re chilling with your friends, driving in your car, or just in the mood for some great music, I encourage you to listen to some of Marley’s legendary music, and remember that “every little thing is going to be alright”!