Legendary Albums… Exodus (Bob Marley)

After an assassination attempt in 1976 on Bob Marley in Kingston, Jamaica, he fled to England. This is where he recorded the title track for the legendary album of this week: “Exodus”. The ninth studio album by Bob Marley & The Wailers was named the best album of the 20th century by TIME magazine. “Exodus” is an album with an undeniable cultural and political impact, highlighting Marley’s shift from local Jamaican turmoil to international themes of resistance, unity, and Rastafarian spirituality. It seamlessly combines reggae, blues, and rock, creating a timeless album worthy of diving into.

“Exodus” came out on June 3, 1977, with lead singles “Jamming”, “Waiting in Vain”, and “One Love/People Get Ready”. However, “Three Little Birds” is beyond doubt the most well-known song on this album. It features one of the most famous choruses in music. The simple lyrics evoke a feeling of positivity in hardship, emphasising the theme of the album: spiritual liberation, political resistance, and unification.

“Exodus” is the second book of the Torah or Old Testament. It tells the story of the physical and spiritual birth of Israel. Bob Marley references this as a movement of his people. He seems to reflect upon himself being ‘exiled’ from Jamaica after the attempted assassination, in the same way his people most likely did in the book of Exodus. The almost eight full minutes of regular rhythm, with the call for Jah’s people to find back their place in ‘their fatherland’ as Marley calls it, dominate spiritually as well as musically. The album was enormous in Jamaica and broke the band into the Top 10 album chart for the first time.

“Jamming” follows immediately after “Exodus”, signifying the second, more light-hearted half of the album. In this song, he directly refers to the assassination attempt six months prior. He sings:

‘No bullet could stop us now, we neither beg nor we won’t bow
Neither can be bought nor sold
We all defend the right, Jah-Jah children must unite.
Oh, life is worth much more than gold.’

These lyrics show the mindset Bob Marley & The Wailers held towards the attempted assassination, which was believed to have political motivations. Money, threats, and the like would not bend them to anyone’s will or change their ideals. Still, they are “Jamming”, seemingly shrugging off the situation and celebrating life.

“Waiting in Vain” is the touching seventh song on the album. It explores the feeling of unrequited love, yearning, and the exasperation of waiting for a lover’s commitment, all while fearing it might be in vain. The song is rumoured to be about Cindy Breakspeare, the mother of Damian Marley. Though it may seem out of place on the album, it perfectly signifies the second half, touching on love, community, and Marley’s call for everyone to be one people.

“One Love/People Get Ready” is one of The Wailers’ oldest songs. The version of “Exodus” is a remake of the original ska version. It emphasises the idea that The Wailers share of being stronger together. The song is cleverly reminiscent of the motto of Jamaica: “Out of Many, One People.” This motto was adopted in 1962 after Jamaican independence and reflects the diverse, multiracial background of the Jamaican people. “One Love/People Get Ready” is by far the most upbeat song of the album, composed of major chords reflecting its message of unity. It concludes the album by spreading love and calling to action.

“Exodus” by Bob Marley & The Wailers is a wonderfully composed body of art touching on themes of politics, unity, love, and resistance, all while keeping the songs feeling light and airy. Its timeless feel earns it the title of a legendary album.