Bob Marley was born on 6 February, 1945 and continues to live in the hearts of millions of his followers. He passed away on 11 May, 1981, but his songs have made him immortal. Very few artists have achieved the cult status that he has and is among select few whose popularity has only grown after his death. It's a strange relationship- the relationship between death and posthumous fame. In case of artists like Bob Marley, death is a constant reminder of their existence. One of the reasons for Bob Marley's popularity are his songs. His songs have touched innumerable music lovers and is a peek into his personality. Here are four of Bob Marley's most known and loved songs on the occasion of what would have been his 73rd birthday:
1) No Woman, No Cry
This song from the album 'Dreams of Freedom: Ambient Translations of Bob Marley in Dub'. The live version of the song has been ranked No. 37 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The lyrics say it all:
No, woman, no cry.
No, woman, no cry.
No, woman, no cry.
'Cause—'cause—'cause I remember when a we used to sit
In a government yard in Trenchtown,
Ob—observing the hypocrites.
Yeah!
Mingle with the good people we meet.
Yeah!
Good friends we have. Oh.
Good friends we have lost along the way. Yeah!
In this great future you can't forget your past.
So dry your tears, I say.
Yeah.
No, woman, no cry.
No, woman, no cry. Eh, yeah!
A little darlin', don't shed no tears.
No, woman, no cry. Eh!
2) Three Little Birds
This song from the album Exodus released in 1977 is another classic of the Reggae genre. The lyrics offers hope and cheer in plenty to troubled and anxious soul.
Don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing gonna be alright
Singing' don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing gonna be alright
Rise up this mornin'
Smiled with the risin' sun
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Saying', (this is my message to you)
Buffalo Soldier
This song did not appear on record until the 1983 posthumous release of the album Confrontation, and became one of Marley's best-known songs. The title and lyrics try to depict the black U.S. cavalry regiments, also known as "Buffalo Soldiers", that fought in the Indian Wars after 1866. Marley compared their fight to a fight for survival, and presented it as a symbol of black resistance through his song. The splendid lyrics of the song include some hard-hitting lines like:
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
There was a Buffalo Soldier
Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
There was a Buffalo Soldier
In the heart of America
Stolen from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
I mean it, when I analyze these things
To me, it makes a lot of sense
How the dreadlock Rasta was the Buffalo Soldier
And he was taken from Africa, brought to America
Fighting on arrival, fighting for survival
Said he was a Buffalo Soldier, dreadlock Rasta
Buffalo Soldier, in the heart of America
If you know your history
Then you would know where you coming from
Then you wouldn't have to ask me
Who the heck do I think I am
4) Satisfy My Soul
Widely regarded as the greatest love song ever recorded by Bob Marley, Satisfy My Soul is a song from the album Kaya released in the year 1978. The song highlights the importance of small gestures in love and a lover is heard pleading to his beloved and claiming that ",Oh please don't you rock my boat, You satisfy my soul". Hers's some more lyrics if your soul isn't satisfied by this impressive song:
(Satisfy my soul) You satisfy my soul (satisfy my soul);
You satisfy my soul (satisfy my soul).
Every little action (satisfy my soul),
there's a reaction (satisfy my soul).
Oh, can't you see what you've done for me, oh, yeah!
I am happy inside all - all of the time. Wo-oo-o-oo!When we (bend) bend a new corner,
I feel like a (sweep) sweepstake winner.
When I meet you around the corner (round the corner),
You make me feel like a sweepstake winner (a sweep - a sweepstake winner).
Whoa, child! Can't you see? You must believe me!
Oh darling, darling, I'm calling, calling:
Can't you see? Why won't you believe me?
Oh, darling, darling, I'm calling, calling
(calling, calling, calling, calling)When I meet you around the corner,
Oh, I said, "Baby, never let me be a loner",
And then you hold me tight, you make me feel all right.
Yes, when you hold me tight, you made me feel all right.
These four songs are just a tip of the iceberg from the magnificent collection of Bob Marley. Bob Marley's persona had multiple dimensions to it and his songs can be a good way to get to know Bob Marley's personality which continues to be written and discussed about even 36 years after his death.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 06, 2018 12:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).