"One Drop" | |
---|---|
Song by Bob Marley and the Wailers | |
from the album Survival | |
Recorded | 1979 |
Genre | Reggae |
Length | 3:51 |
Label | Island Records/Tuff Gong |
Songwriter(s) | Bob Marley |
"One Drop" is a 1979 Bob Marley song from the album Survival (1979) notable for exemplifying the one drop rhythm, one of the three main reggae drum rhythms, as performed by The Wailers' drummer Carlton Barrett. The song uses Marley's most militantly Rastafarian lyrics. [1] "In 'One Drop,' Marley asserts that he does not want 'devil philosophy', he wants the 'teachings of His Majesty.' In this sense Rastafari was not merely a religious faith, for Marley it was a political and philosophical worldview." The song was re-released on the compilation album Gold (2005). [2]
The one-drop rule is a social and legal principle of racial classification that was historically prominent in the United States in the 20th century. It asserted that any person with even one ancestor of black ancestry is considered to be black.
The name One Drop is also used by the Marley Beverage Company, partly associated with the family of Bob Marley, as the brand name for Marley "premium Jamaican coffee beverage made with real cane sugar and all-natural ingredients". [3]
Uprising is the twelfth studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers released in 1980. Marley died the following year, and Uprising was the final studio album released during his lifetime. This album is one of Marley's most directly religious, with nearly every song referencing his Rastafarian beliefs, culminating in the acoustic recording of "Redemption Song".
Exodus is the ninth studio album by Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers, first released in June 1977 through Island Records, following Rastaman Vibration (1976).
John Lester “Johnny” Nash Jr. was an American singer-songwriter, best known in the United States for his 1972 hit "I Can See Clearly Now". Primarily a reggae and pop singer, he was one of the first non-Jamaican artists to record reggae music in Kingston.
Survival is the eleventh studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers released in 1979.
Kaya is the tenth studio album released by Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1978. The album consists of tracks recorded alongside those present on the Exodus album in 1977.
Bob Marley and the Wailers were a Jamaican reggae band led by Bob Marley. It developed from the ska vocal group, The Teenagers, created by Peter Tosh, Marley, and Bunny Wailer in 1963. By late 1963 singers Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, and Cherry Smith had joined on. By the early 1970s, Marley and Bunny Wailer had learned to play some instruments, and brothers Aston "Family Man" Barrett (bass) and Carlton Barrett (drums), had joined the band. After Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh left the band in 1974, Marley began touring with new band members as Bob Marley and the Wailers. His new backing band included the Barrett brothers, Junior Marvin and Al Anderson on lead guitar, Tyrone Downie and Earl "Wya" Lindo on keyboards, and Alvin "Seeco" Patterson on percussion. The "I Threes", consisting of Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, and Marley's wife, Rita, provided backing vocals.
"Redemption Song" is a song by Jamaican singer Bob Marley. It is the final track on Bob Marley and the Wailers' twelfth album, Uprising, produced by Chris Blackwell and released by Island Records. The song is considered one of Marley's greatest works. Some key lyrics derived from a speech given by the Pan-Africanist orator Marcus Garvey titled "The Work That Has Been Done."
Joseph Benjamin Higgs was a reggae musician from Jamaica. In the late 1950s and 1960s he was part of the duo Higgs and Wilson together with Roy Wilson. He was a popular artist in Jamaica for four decades and is also known for his work tutoring younger musicians including Bob Marley and the Wailers and Jimmy Cliff.
Mortimo St George "Kumi" Planno, was a renowned Rastafari elder, drummer, and considered one of the ideological founders of the back-to-Africa movement founded in the 1910s by Marcus Garvey. He is best known as the Rasta teacher and friend of Bob Marley, and as the man who commanded the respect of a chaotic crowd during the arrival of Emperor Haile Selassie on his visit to Jamaica in 1966. He is referred to by other Rastas as a teacher and a leader within the context of the faith, given his life's work.
Babylon by Bus is a live album released by Bob Marley and the Wailers in 1978. The tracks on this album are considered, with two exceptions, to be from the Pavillon de Paris concerts over 3 nights, 25–27 June 1978, during the Kaya Tour, though there are discrepancies in the track listing.
Aston Francis Barrett, often called "Family Man" or "Fams" for short, is a retired Jamaican musician and Rastafarian.
"Crying in the Chapel" is a song written by Artie Glenn for his son Darrell to sing. According to Cliff Glenn, Artie Glenn's oldest grandson, Artie had written the song in 1951 but left it in a drawer for two years, until Darrell recorded it while still in high school in 1953, along with Artie's band the Rhythm Riders. The song was rejected by Hill and Range Songs and Acuff-Rose Music. The song was eventually published by Valley Publishers which also released the single featuring Darrell Glenn. It became a local hit and then it went nationwide. The original version of the song was issued in June 1953. Darrell Glenn's original recording reached number one on the Cash Box chart and number six on Billboard. Glenn's version also hit number six on the Billboard pop singles chart and number four on the Billboard country and western chart, Rex Allen's number eight, The Orioles' number 11, Ella Fitzgerald number 15, and Art Lund reached number 23. Lee Lawrence took his version to number 7 in the United Kingdom.
"Jah Live" is a song by Bob Marley & The Wailers, released as a single in 1975. The song was recorded and released within days following the announcement of the death of Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia whom Rastafarians see as the reincarnation of God, whom they call Jah. The song was written as a message to the world that Haile Selassie I had not died as the Ethiopian government of the time and detractors of the Rastafarian religion claimed. When the song was released, Selassie was claimed dead by the Ethiopian authorities but there was no body. Marley was prescient in response to the news that no body had not been found saying, "Yuh cyant kill God".
One drop rhythm is a reggae style drum beat.
Most of Bob Marley's early music was recorded with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, who together with Marley were the most prominent members of the Wailers. In 1972, the Wailers had their first hit outside Jamaica when Johnny Nash covered their song "Stir It Up", which became a UK hit. The 1973 album Catch a Fire was released worldwide, and sold well. It was followed by Burnin', which included the song "I Shot the Sheriff". Eric Clapton's cover of the song became a hit in 1974.
"Three Little Birds" is a song by Bob Marley and the Wailers. It is the fourth track on side two of their 1977 album Exodus and was released as a single in 1980. The song reached the Top 20 in the UK, peaking at number 17. It is one of Marley's most popular songs and has been covered by numerous other artists. The song is often thought to be named "Don't Worry About a Thing" or "Every Little Thing is Gonna Be All Right", because of the prominent and repeated use of these phrases in the chorus.
Robert Nesta Marley was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and musician. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, as well as his distinctive vocal and songwriting style. Marley's contributions to music increased the visibility of Jamaican music worldwide, and made him a global figure in popular culture for over a decade. Over the course of his career, Marley became known as a Rastafari icon, and he infused his music with a sense of spirituality. He is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican music and culture and identity, and was controversial in his outspoken support for democratic social reforms. In 1976, Marley survived an assassination attempt in his home, which was thought to be politically motivated. He also supported legalization of marijuana, and advocated for Pan-Africanism.
"Exodus" is a song written by reggae musician Bob Marley and recorded by Bob Marley & The Wailers, for his 1977 same-titled album. Released as a single, it hit number 14 in the UK Singles Chart. "Exodus" was Marley's first single to receive widespread airplay on black radio stations in the U.S.
Peter Tosh, OM was a Jamaican reggae musician. Along with Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer, he was one of the core members of the band the Wailers (1963–1976), after which he established himself as a successful solo artist and a promoter of Rastafari. He was murdered in 1987 during a home invasion.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Bob Marley: