“One Love” stands out in the Bob Marley Songs catalog as a powerful anthem of unity, peace, and spiritual devotion, achieving iconic status throughout his career. This track’s journey is marked by three distinct releases, each reflecting Marley’s evolving musical style and message.
The initial version surfaced in 1965 by The Wailers. This ska-infused rendition, brimming with upbeat rhythms and subtle Rastafarian undertones, graced their debut LP, The Wailing Wailers, and later the Songs of Freedom box set. Marley himself described this early attempt as raw and untrained, emphasizing their organic approach to harmony and singing. Despite its nascent form, “One Love” became a staple in their live performances.
Over a decade later, in 1977, for the Exodus album, Marley, prompted by Chris Blackwell, revisited “One Love”. This reimagining showcased a significant transformation. The tempo slowed, the drums gained prominence, and the song was expanded to “One Love/People Get Ready,” acknowledging its melodic kinship with The Impressions’ 1965 hit, “People Get Ready.” Blackwell’s suggestion to credit Curtis Mayfield as a co-writer was a proactive measure for legal clarity.
Although initially released as a single in the 1970s, “One Love” experienced a resurgence after Marley’s passing. Rereleased in 1984 with a commemorative video featuring artists like Paul McCartney and Bananarama, coinciding with the Legend greatest hits album, it climbed to Number Five on the UK charts. Its cultural impact solidified further when the Jamaica Tourist Board adopted it as their theme song in 1994. By 1999, the BBC embraced “One Love” as its Millennium Eve anthem, commissioning a new recording featuring Ziggy Marley alongside the Gipsy Kings and the Boys’ Choir of Harlem, cementing its timeless appeal within Bob Marley songs and global music history.
