Best Reggae Songs of All Time

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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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   Three Little Birds

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

   Pure, reassuring sunshine.

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   Pressure Drop

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

   Joyful, gospel-charged rocksteady.

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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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   Legalize It

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

   An uncompromising roots statement.

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   Marcus Garvey

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

   Hypnotic, deeply spiritual roots.

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   Night Nurse

   Gregory Isaacs · from Night Nurse (1982) · Album scores 79/99

   The coolest of lovers-rock.

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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

   Prophetic, hooky roots reggae.

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    War ina Babylon

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

    Militant and melodic at once.

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    Welcome to Jamrock

    Damian Marley · from Welcome to Jamrock (2005) · Album scores 83/99

    A hard-hitting modern dancehall landmark.

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    Get Busy

    Sean Paul · from Dutty Rock (2002) · Album scores 82/99

    A bouncy dancehall crossover smash.

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    Redemption Song

    Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Uprising (1980) · Album scores 85/99

    The acoustic finale: Marley and a guitar against the whole world.

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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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    Many Rivers to Cross

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

    The gospel of perseverance set to reggae — genuinely timeless.

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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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    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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    Ku Klux Klan

    Steel Pulse · from Handsworth Revolution (1978) · Album scores 91/99

    British reggae at its most righteously angry.

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    Night Nurse

    Gregory Isaacs · from Night Nurse (1982) · Album scores 79/99

    The lovers rock standard — smooth, aching, and perfectly produced.

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    Zungguzungguguzungguzeng

    Yellowman · from Mister Yellowman (1982) · Album scores 87/99

    The deejay style at its most physically impossible and joyful.

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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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    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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