#71 Bob Marley and the Wailers, 'Exodus' (1977)

Previously #169

Following an attempt on his life in which a bullet grazed his chest and hit his arm, Bob Marley packed it all up and left for London. Marley’s wife, Rita was also shot in the assignation attempt. The gunmen sought to halt what they considered to be Marley’s politically progressive music. And so he went into exile. The album, inspired by the ever-changing political climate in Jamaica, features themes of politics, change, religion and sex. It’s a Reggae album, but it’s a record with an agenda. Opening with ‘Natural Mystic,’ a call to arms, “Things are not the way they used to be/I won't tell no lie/One and all got to face reality now.” ‘So Much Things To Say’ talks about martyrs, and it covers faith. Most of the first half follows similar themes, driving bass lines and songs with a sense of urgency. Side 1 ends with the title track and one of Bob Marley’s greatest lyrics; “Are you satisfied (with the life you're living)?” The music is up-tempo, but far from happy, I’d say.

The record really comes alive on Side 2, though. It’s a hit factory, a mini Greatest Hits collection. ‘Jamming’ into ‘Waiting In Vain,’ later a hit for Annie Lennox, into ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low,’ a hit for his future daughter in law, Lauryn Hill, years later, into ‘Three Little Birds,’ another song featuring some of Marley’s best words, “Don't worry about a thing/Cause every little thing gonna be all right.” Finally ‘Exodus’ ends with the anthemic ‘One Love,’ one of the greatest anti-hate songs ever. Last time I said the following, “I'm not huge into reggae, but this album surpasses genres. It's amazing.” I stand by that, although 7 years on and I appreciate Reggae way more than I used to. ‘Exodus’ was genre-defining and made Bob Marley an international superstar.

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