Is This Love

Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is spinning the sweet vibes of Is This Love by Bob Marley & The Wailers from their 1978 album Kaya, and we’ve got some groovy trivia to share! This timeless love song, peaking at number 9 on the UK charts, is one of Marley’s most iconic tracks. According to Island Records boss Chris Blackwell in the liner notes of Africa Unite: The Singles Collection, Is This Love captured the carefree, summery spirit of the Kaya album, reflecting Marley’s joyful state of mind at the time. Some fans speculate the song was written for Cindy Breakspeare, the mother of Damian Marley, adding a personal touch to its romantic lyrics. The music video, shot at the Keskidee Arts Centre in London, featured a then-seven-year-old Naomi Campbell in her first public appearance, long before she became a supermodel. This track’s universal appeal has led to covers by artists like Corinne Bailey Rae, whose version won a Grammy for Best R&B Performance in 2012, and even a 2016 electronic remix by Lvndscape and Bolier that hit the UK Top 20.

Let’s dive into another tidbit, Zoo Freaks! The Kaya album, including Is This Love, was recorded in London during Marley’s exile from Jamaica after a 1976 assassination attempt. Released alongside the historic One Love Peace Concert in 1978, where Marley returned to Jamaica, the song’s mellow vibe contrasted the political intensity of his earlier work. Critics like Lester Bangs from Rolling Stone called Kaya too soft, but Marley defended its lighter tone in a Hot Press interview, saying, “Tis music. It can’t be political all the while.” The song’s infectious rhythm and Marley’s soulful delivery have made it a staple in films like In the Name of the Father and 50 First Dates, proving its enduring charm. Fans on Facebook groups like Bob Marley Fans often share stories of how this song’s simple yet profound lyrics bring people together, from beach parties to wedding dances.

Now, let’s talk about how Bob Marley & The Wailers got their start, Zoo Freaks! Born Robert Nesta Marley on February 6, 1945, in Nine Miles, Jamaica, Marley grew up in a rural setting, influenced by his mother Cedella Malcolm and his white father, Norval Marley, a rural overseer. As a teenager in Trench Town, Kingston, Marley was exposed to ska, a blend of Jamaican mento and American R&B. While training as a welder alongside Desmond Dekker, he began singing, inspired by artists like Fats Domino and Ricky Nelson. In 1961, at 16, Marley recorded his first single, Judge Not, with producer Leslie Kong, a peppy ballad rooted in rural wisdom. By 1963, he formed a vocal group with Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso, and Cherry Green, naming themselves The Wailers because, as Marley said, “We started out crying.” Coached by singer Joe Higgs, they cut Simmer Down at Studio One, an urgent anthem that became a massive hit in Jamaica, shifting the music scene toward raw, local sounds.

The Wailers evolved through ska, rocksteady, and reggae, with Marley’s songwriting and Rastafarian beliefs shaping their sound. By 1974, after Tosh and Wailer left, Marley reformed the band as Bob Marley & The Wailers, adding the I-Three vocalists, including his wife Rita Marley, and musicians like Aston “Family Man” Barrett. Their breakthrough came with albums like Natty Dread and Exodus, blending reggae with rock influences, making Marley an international superstar. Sadly, Marley passed in 1981, but his legacy lives on through his music and family, with sons like Ziggy and Stephen Marley continuing his work. Zoo Freaks, you can connect with this legend at Bob Marley’s official website, follow Bob Marley on Facebook, check out Bob Marley on Instagram, or vibe with posts on X. For more fan love, visit Bob Marley’s community page or join Bob Marley Fan Club on Facebook.