The Top 10 Reggae Music Classics of All Time

What are the top 10 reggae music classics of all time? This blog post will count down the all-time greatest reggae songs, from 10 to 1.

Reggae Music Classics

Reggae music has been around for several decades and has gone through many changes during that time. While some of the music has been lost to time, there are still a few classics that stand out above the rest. This list includes some of the best reggae songs of all time, including both old and new classics.

1. “One Love” by Bob Marley
2. “Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley
3. “I Shot the Sheriff” by Bob Marley
4. “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley
5. “Stir It Up” by Bob Marley
6. “Jamming” by Bob Marley
7. “Could You Be Loved” by Bob Marley
8. “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley
9. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley
10. “One Drop” by Beenie Man

The Wailers- “Stir It Up”

One of the most influential and long-standing reggae bands of all time, The Wailers released “Stir It Up” in 1967. The song, written by Bob Marley, was included on the band’s fifth studio album, Burnin’. “Stir It Up” was one of the first reggae songs to gain mainstream attention and is still considered a classic today.

Bob Marley & The Wailers- “Get Up, Stand Up”

Get Up, Stand Up is a song written by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. It was first recorded by Bob Marley & The Wailers in 1973 and released in 1974 on the album Burnin’. The song is ranked number 378 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

In 1999, the same magazine placed it at number 375 in their list of “The Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time”. In 2010, the editors of TIME magazine placed it at number 39 on their list of “All-TIME 100 Songs”.

The Maytals- “Pressure Drop”

The Maytals’ “Pressure Drop” was released in 1970 on the album Monkey Man. The song was written by Frederick “Toots” Hibbert and was reportedly inspired by Hibbert’s girlfriend at the time dropping a bucket of water on his head. The song became an instant classic, with its description of life in the ghetto and its call for revenge against those who have wronged you. The Maytals were one of the most popular reggae groups of all time, and “Pressure Drop” is considered one of their signature songs.

The Heptones- “Party Time”

This song was released in 1977 by The Heptones and was one of the first true reggae classics. The Heptones were a legendary roots reggae group from Jamaica and “Party Time” is still considered one of the best reggae songs of all time.

The Ethiopians- “Reggae Hit the Town”

This is one of the earliest known reggae songs and it was a big hit in 1967. The Ethiopians were a Jamaican vocal group who are considered to be one of the pioneers of reggae music. This song is about the rise of reggae music in Jamaica and how it quickly spread to the rest of the world.

The Paragons- “The Tide Is High”

The Paragons were a Jamaican reggae group, best known for their 1967 hit “The Tide Is High”. The group was formed in 1966 by Tyrone Evans and Howard Barrett. Tyrone Evans and Howard Barrett had been friends since childhood, and had both served time in juvenile detention centers for petty theft. After they were released, they decided to form a singing group.

The Paragons originally consisted of Evans on lead vocals, Barrett on harmony vocals, Garth Dennis on bass, and Junior Menelik on drums. The group’s first single, “Only a Fool”, was released in 1966. It was not a success, but the group persevered. In 1967, they had their breakout hit with “The Tide Is High”, which reached number one on the Jamaican charts. The song was written by John Holt, and was originally recorded by his group, the Paragons.

“The Tide Is High” was covered by several artists, including Blondie and Atomic Kitten. It has been used in numerous films and television shows.

The Melodians- “Rivers of Babylon”

The Melodians’ classic 1972 hit “Rivers of Babylon” is one of the most well-known and beloved reggae songs of all time. The Rastafarian lyrics, written by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton, tell the story of the Biblical captivity of the Israelites in Babylon and their longing for freedom. The song was popularized in the United States by a cover version recorded by pop group Boney M, which became a huge hits in 1978.

The Upsetters- “Return of Django”

The Upsetters- “Return of Django” is a reggae classic. The song was written by Lee “Scratch” Perry and was released in 1968. The song is about a gunslinger who returns to town to take revenge on the people who killed his brother. The song is considered to be one of the first reggae songs to gain international popularity.

Desmond Dekker & The Aces- “Israelites”

Originally written and recorded by reggae artist Desmond Dekker, “Israelites” is a classic tune that has been covered by many artists over the years. The song tells the story of a poor man who is trying to make ends meet and ends up getting frustrated with his life. Despite its sad message, the upbeat rhythm and catchy hook make “Israelites” one of the most popular reggae songs of all time.