10 of the most covered songs by Bob Marley

The music of reggae legend Bob Marley, with its messages of love, unity and social justice, has resonated with artists from all over the world. This influence is perhaps best seen in the number of times his songs have been covered by other musicians.

From fellow reggae legends to rock icons, countless artists have put their own stamp on Marley’s timeless classics. In this article, we explore ten of Bob Marley’s most covered songs and their unique and remarkable interpretations.

1.No Woman, No Crying (1974)

At the top of the list is the iconic No Woman Do not Crya song that has been covered an incredible 84 times according to WhoSampled. This reggae masterpiece transcends genre boundaries and attracts the talents of legends such as Jimmy Cliff, Fugees and Bunny Wailer (Bob Marley’s bandmate in The Wailers) as well as contemporary stars such as Tems and Shenseea, for whom Black Panther: Wakanda Forever And Bob Marley: A love soandtracks. The Fugees’ version reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and number 38 on the US Radio Songs Chart, while the Tems’ version reached number 7 on the US Afrobeats Songs Chart and number 1 on the World Digital Song Sales chart.

The original song that appeared on the 1974 album Natty Horrorreached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart. It was certified platinum in the UK in 2022, a testament to its lasting influence on music and culture worldwide.

2.I Shot the Sheriff (1973)

Another Marley staple, I shot the sheriffhas been reinterpreted a whopping 58 times. More than just a catchy tune, I shot the sheriff has a clever, rebellious undertone that still resonates with listeners today. The track, which was originally released on the album Burn in‘ owes its huge popularity in part to Eric Clapton’s 1974 cover. Clapton’s version shot straight to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 that summer, and became his only single to top the charts in the U.S. Interestingly, the cover’s success was bittersweet for Marley. According to a 1985 biography by Stephen Davis, Clapton’s version was played far more often in Jamaica than Marley’s own music at the time, which reportedly infuriated the reggae legend. Davis wrote that Marley, along with his friend and tour manager Allan Cole, even confronted a Jamaican radio station about the unbalanced airplay.

American singer Screamin’ Jay Hawkins made the song his own with his powerful and unique vocal style. Other artists as diverse as The Jackson 5, UB40, Inner Circle, Howard Stern and Ken Boothe have all provided their interpretations, while hip hop artist Warren G interpolated Marley’s chorus for his own interpretation.

3.The Song of Redemption (1980)

Covered over 58 times, Song of Salvation has attracted a number of artists who try to capture its message of independence and freedom. The track served as the closing number on revoltBob Marley’s last studio album, released in 1980, and a poignant farewell before his death in 1981. Perhaps the most notable cover was the improvised rendition created by Joe Strummer of The Clash and Johnny Cash when they were both in the studio. Barbados’ own superstar Rihanna also covered the song as part of Haiti relief in 2010, and we know how much RiRi loves Bob. Other musicians who have covered this track include Eddie Vedder and Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Bunny Wailer, Tessanne Chin, Square One and American singer Leon Bridges for the Bob Marley: One Love Soundtrack.

4.Is This Love (1978)

Among the 47 covers of Is that loveThe soulful interpretation by English singer Corinne Bailey Rae stands out. Her 2010 version won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. The original song first appeared on her 1978 album Kaya. It reached number 9 in the UK singles chart. The song’s message of love and devotion even inspired Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella to record her father’s message in a book called ” Is that love?published in November last year.

5.If You Could Be Loved (1980)

Could you be Loved has attracted a remarkable 43 cover versions. While Joe Cocker’s rendition enjoyed moderate success, peaking at No. 86 on the UK Singles Chart, the original by Bob Marley and the Wailers shot much higher, reaching No. 5 in the UK. Composed during the band’s final tour before Bob Marley’s death in 1981, this poignant song has a deeper meaning. It contains snippets of lyrics from his very first single, “Judge Not,” and reminds listeners, “The road of life is rocky; and you, too, can stumble. So while you’re pointing the finger, someone else is judging you.” The track appeared on the band’s 12th album, Uprising, and was recently certified double platinum in the UK.

6.Three Little Birds (1977)

Three little birdsCovered 38 times, it brings a message of hope and optimism to the chart. This feel-good anthem has attracted a variety of artists including Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Connie Talbot, Ziggy Marley and Sean Paul, Bunny Wailer, Maroon 5 and most recently Kacey Musgraves for the Bob Marley: One Love Film soundtrack. Originally released on the groundbreaking Exodus The song reached number 17 in the UK singles chart with his album “The Last Man” in 1977 and achieved double platinum status in the UK.

7.Waiting in vain (1977)

Waiting in vainan introspective song about longing and uncertainty, has resonated with artists of all genres in 34 renditions. Reggae veterans Cocoa Tea and Cutty Ranks offered a dancehall version in their 1997 cover, while Annie Lennox delivered a powerful pop version in 1995 that reached number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1993, jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour demonstrated the song’s versatility with a gentle instrumental version featuring Maxi Priest on vocals that peaked at number 54 on the Billboard R&B charts. More recently, Canadian crooner Daniel Caesar delivered his own soulful rendition for the Bob Marley: One Love Soundtrack. The original version, released on the groundbreaking Exodus The album from 1977 reflected its lyrical themes by achieving a slow but steady rise in the UK singles charts, reaching number 27. It was not until September 2023 Waiting in vain was awarded gold in the UK.

8th.Get Up, Get Up (1973)

With 32 cover versions, the powerful anthem Get up get up. This rallying cry for social justice and personal empowerment has transcended its reggae roots and attracted a variety of artists for reinterpretations. Interestingly, the song itself has a unique history. Originally a song by the Wailers, written by Marley and Peter Tosh, it was later re-recorded by each of them and released on their solo albums, with slight variations in arrangement and lyrics. The most well-known version, with Marley on lead vocals and the now-iconic “WO-YO!” chorus after the third verse, appeared on the 1975 live album Live!. Tosh released his own solo version on his second album, Equal rights, in 1977. Bunny Wailer was the last to release his own version protest. This version actually featured Tosh, as he was involved in the recording of the album before his death. Contemporary artists such as Rihanna, Big Youth, Santana, and even a collaboration between Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin have provided their own interpretations of the song.

9.Noise (1977)

The infectious groove of “Jamming” has been reinterpreted at least 27 times, according to Whosampled, and has attracted artists from a wide variety of backgrounds. Jazz artists such as Gerald Albright, Lee Ritenour, Monty Alexander and Grover Washington Jr. have provided smooth instrumental versions, while international artists such as Mundstuhl (Germany), 5’nizza (Japan), Banda Brasileira (Brazil) and Yannick Noah (France) have put their own cultural spin on the song. Noise has even been turned into a gentle lullaby and a relaxing piano piece by Rockabye Baby!, showing its versatility and enduring appeal. First released in 1977 on ExodusThe original song reached number 9 on the UK singles chart. It is currently certified platinum in the UK.

10.Buffalo Soldier (1983)

Buffalo Soldierwith 21 covers, is as relevant today as it was when it was posthumously released in 1983 on confrontationthe first album after Bob Marley’s death in 1981. The song struck a chord with the audience, spent 13 weeks in the British singles charts and reached number 4.