Happy Birthday Bob Marley, Top Songs That Show The Artist's Genius

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).