Best 1970s Reggae and Dub Songs

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   The Harder They Come

   Jimmy Cliff · from The Harder They Come (1972) · Album scores 82/99

   A defiant anthem that introduced the world to reggae.

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   Many Rivers to Cross

   Jimmy Cliff · from The Harder They Come (1972) · Album scores 82/99

   Gospel anguish over a slow, heavy beat.

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   Pressure Drop

   Toots and the Maytals · from Funky Kingston (1973) · Album scores 81/99

   The Specials covered it; The Clash covered it; everyone's right to.

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   Stir It Up

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Catch a Fire (1973) · Album scores 91/99

   Reggae warmth and a riff that never ages.

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   No Woman, No Cry

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Natty Dread (1974) · Album scores 84/99

   The tender live staple of reggae's biggest star.

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   No Woman No Cry

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Natty Dread (1974) · Album scores 84/99

   The live version from Lyceum — the most comforting reggae song ever recorded.

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   Marcus Garvey

   Burning Spear · from Marcus Garvey (1975) · Album scores 93/99

   Roots reggae as political statement — the Garvey myth rebuilt in music.

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   Legalize It

   Peter Tosh · from Legalize It (1976) · Album scores 89/99

   An uncompromising roots statement.

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   War ina Babylon

   Max Romeo and the Upsetters · from War ina Babylon (1976) · Album scores 88/99

   Lee Perry's production and the most politically focused roots album.

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    Three Little Birds

    Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Exodus (1977) · Album scores 87/99

    Pure, reassuring sunshine.

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    Police and Thieves

    Junior Murvin · from Police and Thieves (1977) · Album scores 87/99

    Sweet falsetto over a Lee Perry groove.

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    Two Sevens Clash

    Culture · from Two Sevens Clash (1977) · Album scores 85/99

    The Rastafarian prophecy, the dread bass, and the apocalyptic mood.

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