The first Bob Marley song that really changed my life was “Sun Is Shining” from 1978’s Kaya album.

(Click the link to listen to Bob Marley’s “Sun Is Shining”)

I was hanging at future Beat Kang Reavis Mitchell’s home studio in Nashville working on music for the Distorted Soul album listening to the man for inspiration.

Of course, I had a copy of Legend, the greatest hits collection that turned so many of us on to Marley’s powerful songwriting. I loved classics like – “I Shot The Sheriff”, “Stir It Up”, “One Love”, et al. And even on Kaya, “Sun” is sandwiched by “Is This Love” and “Satisfy My Soul”, two masterpieces that were included on Legend.

But this was the first time a Marley album cut reached out, grabbed me by the collar and virtually kicked my ass!

The first thing that got me was Aston “Family Man” Barrett‘s enormous bass line.  The thick, loping motif is open and airy, a study for bass players in how the use of space is just as important – sometimes more important – than the notes you play.

Family Man’s brother, Carlton supplies the slow, almost lurching one-drop drum beat and ignites the groove with fiery, almost explosive, drum fills. The shakers and percussion accent the African rhythms in the track. The skanking guitar is drenched in echo. Junior Marvin’s bluesy fills add just the right amount of spice and flavor.

Lyrically and melodically this is another Bob Marley pop classic. Having originally appeared on The Wailers’ 1971 Lee “Scratch” Perry produced Soul Revolution album, this gem was re-recorded by the band for Kaya. Bob’s call and response with the I-Threes is a textbook example of post-Burnin’ Wailers vocal arrangements.

On the surface the tune isn’t deep at all. The simple, sugary sweet reggae lyrics could almost be another “Come to Jamaica” tourism ad. Deeper examination, however, reveals that this is a song of praise, thanking Jah for the sunshine and for another day.

sun is shining, the weather is sweet
make you want to move your dancing feet
to the rescue, here i am
want you to know, y’all, where i stand

(monday morning) here i am
want you to know just if you can
(tuesday evening) where i stand
(wenesday morning)
tell myself a new day is rising
(thursday evening) get on the rise
a new day is dawning
(friday morning) here i am
(saturday evening) want you to know just
want you to know just where i stand

when the morning gathers the rainbow
want you to know i’m a rainbow too
so, to the rescue here i am
want you to know just if you can
where i stand, know, know, know, know, know

we’ll lift our heads and give jah praises
we’ll lift our heads and give jah praises, yeah

sun is shining, the weather is sweet
make you want to move your dancing feet
to the rescue, here i am
want you to know just if you can
where i stand

(wenesday morning)
tell myself a new day is rising
(thursday evening) get on the rise
a new day is dawning
(friday morning) here i am
(saturday evening) want you to know just
want you to know just where i stand

when the morning gathers the rainbow
want you to know i’m a rainbow too
so to the rescue, here i am
want you to know just if you can
where i stand, know, know, know, know, know

we’ll lift our heads and give jah praises (repeat)
sun is shining, the weather is sweet
make you want to move your dancing feet
to the rescue, here i am
want you to know just if you can
where i stand, no, no, no, no, where i stand
sun is shining, sun is shining

Knocked me on my ass! That one night hearing this song prompted me to go out and buy Kaya, which later led me to the politically charged Catch A Fire. It’s rock overtones and Pan-African sentiments in turn steered me to more of Marley’s revolutionary lyrics.  Songs like “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Babylon System” would go on to shape my own politics and music. I began a serious study of Bob Marley’s songwriting, his life and his legacy that I continue to this day.

But it all started with this simple song of praise. When I listen to it now it reminds me to thank Jah (God, Jehovah, Allah, the Creator, the Universe or whatever you want to call Him/Her/It) for another day, for the sunshine, for this morning’s rising and for another breath.

Come celebrate Bob Marley’s Birthday with us on Friday, February 6 at The 1440 Collective Studio, 1440 Gratiot Avenue 1-B, Detroit MI 48207.

The party starts at 9pm. We’ll enjoy live music with The Basiks Reggae Band, delicious local microbrew from Black Lotus Brewing Company, scrumptious Ethiopian food from A Taste of Ethiopia and irie vibrations from beautiful people like you!

For more information visit www.1440Collective.com.

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