How to Appreciate: Bob Marley - 134
How to Appreciate: Bob Marley - 134
And reggae and maybe some rastafari
Brain Dump Bullet Points:
Bob Marley is an iconic artist whose life and legacy created vast waves of musical, social, and cultural impact. However, despite such an observable effect, for many people Bob Marley and Reggae Music can be a bit polarizing. You either get it or you don’t. For many, the turn off is the perceived association with like smoky college dorms where people have their “minds expanded” for the first time. And while that may be true for many, in my deepest most honest opinion, Bob Marley, Reggae Music, and Rastafarianism are all human treasures that have done so much good.
So, today we’re going to bridge that gap by looking at a few of Bob Marley songs and hopefully make some new Bob Marley fans.
For me, what makes his music so special is the lyrical content and the soul that he brings. Nowadays, particularly in Hawaii, reggae music lacks both of those things. The lyrics are catchy and singable as well as there sylization of the vocals is often R&B/soul lyrics, but in the end, no one does it quite like Bob. And we’re going to look at how and why.
Today’s less of a protocol and more along the lines of what Music App was before. Some songs and some thoughts.
Enjoy :)
Song 01 - Redemption Song (Lyrics)
My Favorite Lyrics
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery,
none but ourselves can free our minds.
Thoughts on Lyrics
Reggae Music puts a lot of emphasis on the transmission of wisdom and truth via music. It is because of this fact of the music that Jamaican Sound System had such a social impact. Where some people saw parties (which at times they did get rowdy) others saw as a form of church. To dance in the music and to receive useful wisdom is a very spiritual experience. For many, that is a nuance that is hard to notice at first because of the associations with substance.
Context aside, this line resonates with me because of how true it is. Recently, I’ve been trying to free myself from three things. Expectations, criticism, and doubt. For myself and for others. Beyond the corrosive nature of those things, they’re all examples of self imposed mental oppression. Expectations, criticism, and doubt all contribute negativity - which inevitably becomes like a pessimistic cage. And the thing is also, you can’t rely on others to change your mind, because ultimately that is up to you.
Song 02 - Is This Love (Soul)
Thoughts on Soul
What is soul? What makes soul music so - soulful?
Lyrics are part of it.
The sound quality is a part of it.
But if you put those down and try to focus on what’s left I would say what makes soul music feel so good is the honesty and the optimism in the face of what is otherwise torture. In this song, the singer (Bob) is expressing his love, his affection, and everything that he is able to offer this person.
It isn’t a request or an argument, it is simply a statement of his self.
And what makes it truly courageous is that he doesn’t even know what the feeling is. He’s questioning it. “Is this love?”
It isn’t a completely sound or steady home run, he hasn’t won this person over, he doesn’t know - yet he’s just leaving it on the table and maybe it works and maybe it doesn’t.
It is romantic, but not so much in the delusional it’ll all work out way. It has that darkness and the blues in it, yet it stares toward the light (love). And I’m about it.
Of course, this isn’t something specific to Bob Marley in terms of reggae music, there are a lot of other really soulful reggae tracks. However, I feel this element is very prominent in his music and this song.
Song 03 - Jamming (Both)
This is one of, if not my absolute favorite Bob Marley song. It has every element in it for me. It is soulful, it is inviting, and it has this bouncy groove to it that speaks to the lyrics.
Nowadays, we’re all so tribal. There’s a lot of us-vs-them mentality in the world and this song antithetically creates a groove and invites people into that feeling. Something that often prevents people from trying new things is the feeling that because they’re not already into the thing, they can’t get into it.
“I don’t currently like *this* therefore, I won’t try it.”
And a lot of times, there’s a social exclusivity that is built into experiences that objectively aims to give people the feeling of - belonging.
Appreciation in many ways is just trying to approach the unfamiliar in a new way that allows you to accept and enjoy the thing more. Appreciation of the other. This song embodies that and I appreciate that it appreciates.
I hope you had a good time with this one! At the very least, I hope you enjoyed the music.
Until next week,
MYKAAA
Bonuses
The bonuses this week are two covers of “Is This Love.”
The covers retain much of reggae feeling, but also REALLLLY accentuate the soul in the song. If you couldn’t hear the soul before, these covers really make it obvious.
Enjoy :)