The Top 10 Reggae Songs of All Time

Find out which songs made our list of the top 10 reggae songs of all time.

Introduction

Reggae is a musical genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, “Do the Reggay” was the first popular song to use the word “reggae”, effectively naming the genre and introducing it to a global audience. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican danceable music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.

Bob Marley – “Redemption Song”

From his final album, “Redemption Song” is one of Bob Marley’s most personal tracks. Inspired by a speech given by Marcus Garvey, the song is a call for redemption and freedom, with Marley dreaming of a time when “none but ourselves can free our minds.” The simple acoustic guitar arrangement highlights the power of Marley’s lyrics, making “Redemption Song” one of his most timeless tracks.

Jimmy Cliff – “The Harder They Come”

No reggae list would be complete without the song that introduced the genre to the world at large. Based on the 1972 Jamaican film of the same name, “The Harder They Come” became an international hit and made superstar of its singer, Jimmy Cliff. The song tells the story of a young man named Ivan who turns to a life of crime to escape poverty, and features one of the catchiest hooks in all of reggae.

Toots and the Maytals – “Pressure Drop”

“Pressure Drop” is a song recorded by the Jamaican group Toots and the Maytals. It was written by Frederick “Toots” Hibbert and was first released on their debut album, Toots and the Maytals (1968). The song was later included on The Harder They Come (1972), the soundtrack album to the film of the same name.

The song is a call for respect, with the lyrics “Don’t let them push you around / They gonna have to put you down / When you stand up for your rights / And you tell them that it’s time / For a pressure drop oh yeah.” The song has been covered by many artists, including The Clash, Sublime, No Doubt, and Ziggy Marley.

Burning Spear – “Marcus Garvey”

Burning Spear’s “Marcus Garvey” is a roots reggae classic. The song was recorded in 1975 and released as a single in 1976. It is considered one of Burning Spear’s most popular and influential songs. The lyrics celebrate the life and achievements of Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political leader who founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). “Marcus Garvey” is also notable for its use of the Rastafarian rhythm known as Nyabinghi.

Lee “Scratch” Perry – “Super Ape”

“Super Ape” is a 1976 album by Jamaican dub artist Lee “Scratch” Perry. The album features Perry’s ” Upsetter ” band, and includes Perry’s signature production style, as well as his innovative use of studio effects. The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

The title track, “Super Ape”, is a reworking of The Wailers’ song ” Get Up, Stand Up “, with added sound effects and drum machines. The song became one of Perry’s signature tunes, and has been sampled by several artists, including Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill, and Public Enemy.

“Croaking Lizard” is a dub version of Junior Murvin’s “Police & Thieves”, with added sound effects and Perry’s signature production style. The song was included in the book 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die.

“I Am the Walrus” is a cover of the Beatles song of the same name, with added sound effects and Perry’s signature production style.

The Wailers – “Get Up, Stand Up”

The Wailers’ “Get Up, Stand Up” is not only one of the greatest reggae songs of all time, it’s one of the greatest protest songs ever written. The message is simple but timeless: “Get up, stand up/ Stand up for your rights/ Get up, stand up/ Don’t give up the fight.” The song was co-written by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, and it appeared on The Wailers’ 1973 album Burnin’.

Black Uhuru – “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner”

Formed in 1972, Black Uhuru is one of the most well-known and respected reggae groups of all time. The group’s name means “freedom” in Swahili, and their music reflects their commitment to Rastafarianism and African liberation. “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” is from Black Uhuru’s Grammy-winning album Anthem, and it is a perfect example of the group’s roots reggae sound. With its infectious groove and conscious lyrics, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” is one of the most popular reggae songs of all time.

Inner Circle – “Bad Boys”

Inner Circle’s “Bad Boys” is one of the most popular and well-known reggae songs of all time. The song, which was released in 1987, originally appeared on the soundtrack to the movie “Criminal Law.” The song has since been used in a number of movies and television shows, including “The Sopranos,” “The Wire,” and “Point Break.”

Peter Tosh – “Equal Rights”

In 1976,Peter Tosh released his solo debut album, Legalize It. The record was a rallying cry for the decriminalization of marijuana, but also addressed bigger issues like poverty, bigotry, and – on the album’s title track – equality.

“Equal Rights” is the standout track on the album, and its message of unity and human rights still rings true today. The song begins with a simple question – “What’re we gonna do now?” – before Tosh lists off a litany of social ills that need to be addressed. But he doesn’t stop there; he also offers up solutions, calling for an end to discrimination and inequality.

It’s a powerful song with an even more powerful message, and it remains one of the most important reggae songs of all time.