This is one of those songs that I'm not sure I have the words to do it justice--there's a beauty in its simplicity that's hard to describe. Released as a single in October of 1980 (but only in France and the U.K.), "Redemption Song" is the last song on Bob Marley and the Wailer's Uprising album, and would ultimately be the last song released before his death in May of 1981. While not a hit single in the traditional sense, "Redemption Song" would end up at #66 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and is considered by many to be Marley's masterpiece.
Though Marley and the Wailers music can arguably be called the personification of reggae, "Redemption Song" is a sparse (just Marley and an acoustic guitar, one of the few songs he did without the Wailers) number that is a call for strength and perserverance in the face of adversity. The lyrics borrow from a speech by Marcus Garvey in 1937 extolling the power of the mind to free African-Americans from mental slavery.
For me, the song is all about Marley's vocals. They literally embody the notion of redemption--Marley's voice is weary but not weakened. There is a power in the peace with which he carries the lyrics, and considering the song was written at a time when Marley knew he was dying, a hopefulness that both embraces and envelops the human spirit.
Not so embarrassing factoids: the guitar intro was one of the first things I learned to play on guitar (I played it until my fingers ached) and the song itself was the third tune I ever learned to strum and sing. Rock on, emaycee!
Here's hoping you'll "...help to sing these songs of freedom...."
Enjoy:
Peace,
emaycee
No comments:
Post a Comment