One Love / People Get Ready

Hey Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic "One Love / People Get Ready" by Bob Marley & The Wailers from their 1977 album Exodus, and we’ve got some righteous trivia to share! This track, a blend of Marley’s original ska song “One Love” from 1965 and an interpolation of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready,” was rerecorded for Exodus in London after Marley survived an assassination attempt in Jamaica in 1976. The song’s message of unity and hope resonated deeply during Jamaica’s turbulent 1976 elections, marked by violence between the People’s National Party and the Jamaican Labour Party. Cedella Marley, Bob’s daughter, said in a 2020 interview, “It’s a song of unity, it’s a song that unites everyone,” emphasizing its universal appeal regardless of “color, creed, or social status.” The 1984 music video, directed by Don Letts for the Legend compilation, featured a young British-Jamaican boy dancing on King’s Road with a crowd, plus cameos from Paul McCartney, Bananarama, and Madness members, making it a vibrant snapshot of London’s diverse scene. A second video in 2014, compiled from fan submissions via Tongal, showcased global fans lip-syncing, proving the song’s timeless connection.

Another cool tidbit: the song’s title credits both Marley and Mayfield due to the “People Get Ready” interpolation, a move by Island Records to avoid copyright issues, as Jamaican copyright laws were lax in the ‘60s. The Exodus version, with its reggae and rhythm-and-blues vibe, became a UK hit, peaking at No. 5 in 1984 when released as a single for Legend. Marley’s lyrics also carry a spiritual edge, transforming Mayfield’s original into a call for mercy and grace, with lines like “Have pity on those whose chances grows thinner” challenging self-righteousness, as noted in a 2023 analysis by J. Richard Middleton. The song’s impact extended to the 1978 One Love Peace Concert, where Marley famously brought rival political leaders Michael Manley and Edward Seaga onstage to shake hands, a bold act of peacemaking. Its legacy endures in pop culture, appearing in films like Marley & Me (2008), where it inspired the dog’s name, and earning a 2007 Grammy Hall of Fame induction for its historical significance.

Now, let’s vibe with how Bob Marley got his start. Born Robert Nesta Marley on February 6, 1945, in Nine Mile, Jamaica, he grew up in the Trenchtown slums of Kingston, immersed in ska and R&B from U.S. radio broadcasts. In 1962, at 17, Marley recorded his first songs, including “Judge Not,” at Federal Studios with producer Leslie Kong. He formed a vocal group with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, initially called the Teenagers, then the Wailing Rudeboys, and finally the Wailers. Mentored by Joe Higgs, who taught them vocal harmonies and guitar, they released their debut album, The Wailing Wailers, in 1965, featuring the original “One Love.” Signing with Island Records in 1972, the Wailers, now Bob Marley & The Wailers, gained global traction with albums like Catch a Fire (1973). Marley’s embrace of Rastafari in the late ‘60s shaped his music’s spiritual and political depth, leading to his international breakthrough with Rastaman Vibration (1976). Despite the Wailers’ disbandment in 1974, Marley continued under the band’s name, becoming a reggae legend.

Stay connected with Bob Marley’s legacy! Check out the official website at bobmarley.com, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at sites like Bob Marley Museum or join communities like the Bob Marley Fans group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can share their love for the Tuff Gong’s music and message.