Roots Archives Forum

Just the other day I was thinking of top classic reggae tunes, which might deserve same kind of status like Hey Joe or Hotel California. I think that to achieve such "evergreen" status, the tune must enjoy large general acceptance and have that certain perfectness or uniqueness which makes it nonirritating even if it is on numerous hit-collections. Personally I don't care much for Hotel California, but I can understand its evergreen status.

I know it is tough to get some kind of consensus, but here are my nominees:

Police & Thieves
Two Sevens Clash
Money In My Pocket
The Same Song

Bubbling under section contains: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, Soon Forward, Ballistic Affair, Skylarking, Right Time. Satta is somewhat difficult issue to me, because though Abyssinians' original is great, there are dozens of equally great versions by other performers. I am looking for tunes which strongly lock to its original performers.
Although I listen a lot of dancehall reggae (79-85) I couldn't point out such gems I'm thinking of in that era. I also left away DJ stuff and dub to keep things simple.

Hopefully waiting for your candidates.

I don't think anyone but Bob Marley qualifies today. I'm not saying hes the best but hes the only Reggae singer that I know that has "general acceptance"

Waiting In Vain
Is This Love
Buffalo Soldier
Jamming
One love

Bob Marley is boring.

Someone's out for an argument here.

Visitors are boring.

i would have to agree with mr star.
at least in germany, the only one that comes near the popularity of hotel california and the likes is marley.
there were/are some reggae chart hits that most people will recognize like hotstepper, all that she wants,informer but the attribute classic does not really suit them.

the average American only knows of Bob Marley

every once in a while I'll meet someone who knows Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff or Toots & the Maytals, but to most people reggae = Marley

still an interesting topic though. Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey should be a worldwide classic

Wow, I goofed again.
When speaking of general acceptance I meant this reggae community, exactly all you reggae lovers skanking here.

Alright I see what you mean now. I've been listening to a lot of early 80's dancehall too and I'm thinking

Firehouse Rock
and
Police In Helicopter

Star wrote:Alright I see what you mean now. I've been listening to a lot of early 80's dancehall too and I'm thinking

Firehouse Rock
and
Police In Helicopter

Thank you for your contribution. Those are also my favs and fulfill the standards: unique and popular.
Like to add.

Big Ship