Bob Marley’s “Roots, Rock, Reggae” Surpasses 100 Million Streams on Spotify

Bob Marley’s legendary song “Roots, Rock, Reggae“ has achieved a remarkable milestone by accumulating over 100 million streams on Spotify. This track is featured on “Rastaman Vibration,” the seventh studio album by Bob Marley & The Wailers, which was released in 1976. This was the group’s second album following the departure of original members Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer three years prior.

Marley, who wrote the lyrics, aimed to broaden his appeal, specifically targeting the U.S. audience. His lyric, “Play I on the R&B, want all my people to see,” explicitly shows his ambition to resonate with the African American community. The album not only secured Marley’s first top 10 spot on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 8, but it also marked the only time a single of his charted on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Roots, Rock, Reggae” reaching No. 51.

“Rastaman Vibration” has been certified Gold in both the US and the UK, symbolizing significant sales milestones in these countries.

The recording sessions took place at Harry J. Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, with mixing duties carried out at Criteria Studios in Miami. Notable musicians on the track include Tommy McCook with his striking saxophone melodies, the Barrett brothers handling the rhythm section, and Earl “Chinna” Smith and Donald Kinsey on guitars, complemented by the vocal harmonies of the I-Threes.

It’s worth noting that while the official title of the song uses commas—“Roots, Rock, Reggae”—it is often cited without them, which can alter its interpretation. Instead of suggesting a single musical style, Marley was actually emphasizing three distinct aspects: “roots” referring to African and Zion heritage, “rock” alluding to Jamaica, and “reggae” as the music form itself.

Songwriting credits on “Rastaman Vibration” and several other tracks include names like Vincent Ford, Marley’s childhood friend. This is believed to have been a tactic by Marley to ensure his friends and family benefitted financially while he navigated through publishing disputes, thus maintaining artistic freedom and supporting his close associates.