Bob Marley’s iconic track “Roots, Rock, Reggae” has reached a significant milestone: 100 million streams on Spotify.
“Roots, Rock, Reggae” appeared on Bob Marley & The Wailers’ seventh studio album, Rastaman Vibration, released in 1976. It was Marley’s second album since the departure of his original Wailers bandmates, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, three years earlier.
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The song’s lyrics, composed by Marley himself, expressed his desire to reach a wider audience, particularly in the United States. With lines like “Play I on the R&B, want all my people to see,” Marley made it clear he aimed to win over the African American audience.
Not only did the album mark Marley’s first top 10 entry on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 8, but “Roots, Rock, Reggae” also became his only single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 51. Rastaman Vibration is currently certified Gold in the US (500,000 units) and the UK (100,000 units).
Recorded at Harry J. Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and mixed at Criteria Studios in Miami, “Roots, Rock, Reggae” featured a talented lineup, including Tommy McCook on saxophone, the Barrett brothers on drums and bass guitar, Earl “Chinna” Smith, Donald Kinsey, and the I-Threes.
While the song’s official title includes commas (“Roots, Rock, Reggae”), it’s often written without them, leading to some misinterpretation of its meaning. Rather than referring to a single genre of “roots rock reggae,” Marley was actually highlighting three distinct elements: “roots” (referring to Africa and Zion), “rock” (Jamaica), and “reggae” itself.
Interestingly, the songwriting credits for “Roots, Rock, Reggae” and some other tracks on Rastaman Vibration list multiple contributors, including Marley’s childhood friend Vincent Ford. Ford was speculated to be part of a strategy by Marley to navigate contractual disputes with his former publishing company. By attributing songs to friends and family, Marley ensured financial support for them while retaining creative control.
Rastaman Vibration also included songs such as “War,” “Positive Vibration,” “Crazy Baldhead,” “Night Shift,” and “Who the Cap Fit.”
