Best of john holt reggae songs list

Bob Marley - 'Is This Love'

This love song was released in 1978 as the lead single from The Wailers' album Kaya, and it became one of Marley’s best-known and most-loved songs.

It is a romantic expression of Bob's feelings for his wife Rita, and it also reflects his happy and carefree mood.

Two years later, British reggae group Aswad released a cover version on their album Distant Thunder.

Their version reached number one in the UK, and also sampled a verse from The Righteous Brothers’ 'You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’'.

Bob Marley - 'I Shot the Sheriff'

The story of this song is told from the point of view of a man who admits to having killed the corrupt local sheriff, but was falsely accused of having killed the deputy sheriff.

It was later a big hit for Eric Clapton, after he took on a soft rock/reggae hybrid for his version.

Dawn Penn - 'You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)'

Jamaican singer Dawn Penn brought out this tune in 1994, though it is actually a remake of her 1967 song of the same name, which was itself a cover of Willie Cobbs’ 1960 song.

The song was a huge hit worldwide, reaching number three in the UK.

It was the lead single from Penn’s first studio album No, No, No, which marked her comeback after a 17-year break from the music industry.

Eddy Grant - 'I Don't Wanna Dance'

Guyanese-British singer Eddy Grant released this reggae pop track in 1982.

The song is a rejection of the social and political pressures that Eddy faced in Britain, and a desire to escape to a simpler life.

It was a huge success in the UK, where it topped the singles chart for three weeks.

China Black - 'Searching'

British pop-reggae duo China Black recorded this track, written and produced by Simon Fung.

It was originally released in June 1992 on the UK independent label Big One but did not become a chart success.

The song spent three weeks at number one in the UK, and is remembered for evoking themes of urban decay, deindustrialisation, unemployment, and violence in inner cities.

The song was inspired by the state of Britain in 1981, including rising unemployment and racial tensions.

Stevie Wonder - 'Master Blaster (Jammin')'

Stevie Wonder recorded this reggae-inspired song in 1980 as the first single from his album Hotter than July, which was a tribute to Bob Marley and the Wailers.

The song uses Marley’s song 'Jamming' and also mentions ‘children of Jah’ and the end of the civil war in Zimbabwe.

The song was a major hit, and features a distinctive harmonica solo by Stevie.

Big Mountain - 'Baby I Love Your Way'

Big Mountain, an American reggae/pop band, released this track in 1994 as the lead single from their album Unity and the soundtrack of the film Reality Bites.

The song is a cover of the 1975 soft rock hit by Peter Frampton, written by Frampton as a love song.

The song was later recorded by Desmond Dekker, and became a hit in several countries, reaching number two in the UK.

The song has been used by various political groups, such as the Sandinista National Liberation Front in Nicaragua in 1990. The song was a hit in several countries, reaching number five in the UK.

Desmond Dekker - 'You Can Get It If You Really Want'

This song was written and performed by Jimmy Cliff and released in 1970.

It was a huge hit worldwide, reaching number one in the UK and US.

The Specials - 'Ghost Town'

British two-tone band The Specials released this haunting track in 1981. It became the soundtrack of resistance, love, and identity—not just for Jamaica, but for the world.

The following 55 best reggae songs ever are handpicked based on their cultural impact, global popularity, lyrical message, and lasting influence.

It became one of the group’s most successful songs, reaching number four in the UK.

Johnny Nash - 'I Can See Clearly Now'

'I Can See Clearly Now' was written and recorded by Johnny Nash in 1972. The title describes what a Jamaican does when he goes to the city to show off.

Producer Joe Gibbs came across a song by reggae star Trinity and he decided to record a female response as a companion.

Jimmy Cliff - 'Many Rivers to Cross'

This track was written and recorded by Jimmy Cliff in 1969. Still, these selections highlight the music that defined reggae’s past, present, and future.

Roots Reggae Classics

Roots reggae is the foundation—music of resistance, Rastafari, and consciousness.

1. Bob Marley & The Wailers – “One Love / People Get Ready” (1977)
   The ultimate peace anthem.

   It also reached number three in the UK and number 16 in the US.

2. Bitty McLean - 'It Keeps Raining'

   Bitty Mclean - It Keeps Raining Tears From My Eyes 1993 (Official Music Video) Remastered @Videos80s

   British-Jamaican reggae star Bitty McLean scored a big hit in 1993 with this track, which is a cover of the 1961 song by Fats Domino.

   The song was produced by McLean himself, who was also a former UB40 backing vocalist.

   It was one of three UK top 10 hits for McLean, who also had success with ‘Dedicated to the One I Love’ and ‘Here I Stand’.

3. Red Dragon and Brian and Tony Gold - 'Compliments on Your Kiss'

   Red Dragon ft Brian + Tony Gold - Compliments on Your Kiss (Original Music Video)

   This jazz-tinged reggae song was released by Jamaican deejay Red Dragon featuring reggae duo Brian and Tony Gold.

   It was released in 1994 and became a hit in the UK, where it peaked at number two on the singles chart.

   The song is considered one of the band’s classics and a popular example of reggae rock.

4. UB40 - 'Can't Help Falling in Love'

   UB40 - (I Can't Help) Falling In Love With You (Remastered 2002)

   This track is a cover of the 1961 song by Elvis Presley, which was featured in his film Blue Hawaii.

   Their reggae version of the romantic ballad features Ali Campbell’s lead vocals and a saxophone solo by Brian Travers.

   Spear’s deep voice and Nyabinghi drumming gave it lasting power.

5. Culture – “Two Sevens Clash” (1977)
   Predicted a Rastafarian vision of apocalypse in 1977. Born in Jamaica in the late 1960s, reggae fused ska and rocksteady with African drumming, Rastafarian spirituality, and the lived experiences of the Jamaican people.

   Some are deep roots anthems, others are lovers rock ballads, while others are dancehall hits that stormed international charts.

   Of course, this list may vary year to year depending on how reggae evolves, how younger artists reinterpret the sound, and how older classics are rediscovered.

   It has been covered by many artists, such as Carly Simon, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Rihanna.

6. Musical Youth - 'Pass the Dutchie'

   Musical Youth - Pass The Dutchie

   Musical Youth were a British-Jamaican reggae band, and this track was released in 1982 as the lead single from their debut album, The Youth of Today.

   The song was produced by Toney Owens from Kingston, Jamaica.

   Atomic Kitten later reached number one in the UK with a cover of their own.

7. Ken Boothe - 'Everything I Own'

   Everything I Own (7'' Mix)

   Ken Boothe, a Jamaican reggae singer, released this track in 1974 as the lead single from his album of the same name. It is a catchy and upbeat reggae tune that encourages the listener to shine and be happy.

   The song was a hit in several countries, reaching number five in the UK.

8. Boris Gardiner - 'I Want to Wake Up With You'

   Boris Gardiner 'I Want To Wake Up With You' (Official Video)

   This romantic reggae song by Jamaican singer Boris Gardiner was released in 1986.

   Each year, new voices emerge, older songs resurface, and the definition of “the best” evolves. From Marley’s anthems of freedom to Koffee’s modern triumphs, reggae continues to reinvent itself while staying true to its roots.

   And while this list highlights timeless classics, reggae is living music. The word 'jamming' refers to a musical session or celebration in Jamaican patois.

9. Bob Marley - 'Could You Be Loved'

   Bob Marley & The Wailers - Could You Be Loved

   The Wailers released this track in 1980 as the first single from their last album, Uprising.

   The song was written in 1979 on an aeroplane while the Wailers were experimenting on guitar.