Bob Marley and the Wailers : Redemption Song
In November of 1980 Bob Marley released "Redemption Song", perhaps the most profound song in the entire Marley catalogue. It's inspired by a speech Black nationalist Marcus Garvey made entitled "The Work That Has Been Done", directly quoting some of the speech "We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because whilst others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind."
Neville Garrick, who created the artwork on many Bob Marley and the Wailers albums, including 1980's Uprising, told Bob Marley: The Untold Story biographer Chris Salewicz
"One of the most celebrated things Marcus Garvey ever said was 'Uplift ye mighty race: you can accomplish what you will. To me, 'Redemption Song' is an update of that: it really lives with you ; you have to make the move; you have to free your mind first, before you can attain anything.
The single emerged as rumors of Marley's health made headlines. There was speculation that Marley had cancer but Marley's people said it was just exhaustion. Marley himself recorded a personal message sent out by Island Records to radio stations. In the message he said
"You think anything can raas kill me? I understand that writers and people in the press are very interested and concerned about my health. I want to say thank you for your interest and I'll be alright and I'll be back on the road again in 1981 -really , performing for the fans we love. Beautiful, y'know it's Bob talking to ya, have no doubt. Seen? Good".
Marley died in May of 1981.
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