Moreover, with strength from the song “Legalize It” and the debut album, it smoked its way to the Billboard 200 album chart, where it peaked at no 199 for two weeks. The song being a symbol of legalizing marijuana is without a doubt one of the best reggae songs of all time. But the attempts to suppress the song failed and as a result, catapulted Tosh into an international superstar. Legalize It was banned when it was first released in Jamaica in 1975. Ironic, but smoking ganja as a herb which is considered a sacrament by Rastafarians, isn’t legal in Jamaica. The song was also a political statement to push marijuana for medical use. The album was also his debut album as a solo artist after he left the Wailers. Legalize It was also the title name of his album at the time. With a conservative Jamaican government and their policies against marijuana, Tosh’s response was to “legalize it”. Legalize It – Peter ToshĪfter his ongoing victimization by the Jamaican police, reggae superstar and former member of the Wailers was inspired to write “Legalize It”. Without a doubt, “One Love” is one of the best reggae classic songs ever. A song that is still utilized as a symbol of the human race coming together as one. This was after the character in the film heard the song on the radio and decided to name the dog Marley. It was part of the inspiration to name the dog in the film, Marley.
The song has also been featured in the movie Marley and Me. One Love has been a featured song for the Jamaica Tourist Board advertisement for television since 1994. Which also credited both Bob Marley and Curtis Mayfield. However, the famous version of the song which was re-recorded for Island Records was retitled as “One Love/People Get Ready”. But Mayfield wasn’t credited because copyright law in Jamaica wasn’t enforced in Jamaican recordings at the time. One Love contains an interpolation of Curtis Mayfield’s and his group, The Impression “People Get Ready”. People Get Ready was written by Curtis Mayfield. But was later re-released as a single, and re-recorded several times. It was originally recorded in the ska style by Marley’s original group, The Wailers in 1965. The BBC named One Love “The Song Of The Century”. You can’t talk about reggae and not talk about the legendary Bob Marley. With so many hits, it was difficult to choose just one song. With Toot’s major contribution to the world of reggae music, Pressure Drop isn’t only one of the best classic reggae songs but one of the best reggae songs of all time. As a result of the film, Pressure Drop was introduced to an even wider audience. Moreover, the song was a big hit for Toots And The Maytals.įurthermore, Pressure Drop was also featured on the soundtrack to the film “The Harder They Come” which starred Reggae icon, Jimmy Cliff. The film also brought reggae music to the world. Pressure Drop by Toots and the Maytals was recorded in 1969 and released in 1970. In addition, frontman Toots Hibbert is considered a reggae pioneer on a par with Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. The Maytals were formed in the early 1960s and were key figures in popularizing reggae music. Ska and rocksteady were the earlier genres that later became reggae. Toots and the Maytals, originally called The Maytals, were a Jamaican musical group and one of the best-known ska and rocksteady vocal groups. Best Classic Reggae Songs Pressure Drop – Toots And The Maytalsįirstly, to start out the list for the best reggae songs, an artist that isn’t often mentioned or credited for the development of Reggae music. In addition to the best reggae songs of yesteryear to current songs. Including best classic reggae songs, best reggae-dancehall songs, best female reggae songs, best reggae-drum & bass songs, among other categories. Lastly, in this article, we will explore some of the best reggae songs ever made. Including sub genres such as “Reggae-dancehall”. But there are several other important artists that contributed to reggae and its appeal to the world.
Bob Marley introduced the world to reggae. Most people associate Reggae with Jamaica’s most famous export, Bob Marley. This is why we have decided to dedicate this article to the best reggae songs of all time. The island which is roughly the size of Houston, Texas has a major influence in the world of music, culture, fashion, and sports. Including the island’s most popular export, reggae. Jamaica, with a population of just over 2.9 million people, is a juggernaut in various capacities.