Reggae Music Makes You Feel Alright

Greetings Superstars!

The past few months have been the hardest in my life—which is saying a lot because I’m not particularly lucky—and that might be what prompted my last blog post about how the song, “Three Little Birds,” helped me get through a very difficult situation when I was a kid. Back then, I thought that if I just made it to adulthood, all of my problems would go away. Thank goodness kids don’t realize the fresh hell that can be unleashed upon us in adulthood.

In considering the healing quality of music, I’m struck by how deeply uplifting reggae music can be. “Three Little Birds” is a pretty universal example. So what other songs should we turn to when life has stretched us too thin?

1. One of the first that comes to mind is “Positive Vibes” by Horace Martin. Just the opening horns make me relax and sway. Martin sings:

The strength is in my mind
I will not look behind
Searching for some progress to find

I believe that these three sentences are the key to choosing happiness—we all have the mental agility to focus on the positive; we possess the ability to not dwell in the past; and we can choose to grow and transform into actualized beings who walk in the light.

2. Most of us have had some bad things happen to us, big or small. And I’m not saying that we should be complacent in our lives, but I think it’s vital to be able to put our hardships into perspective in order to process our feelings about them and move past the adversity. Jae Prynse understands this in his dancehall hit, “It Coulda Be Worse.” He sings:

   Dance for the life me live 
   Because it coulda be worse

   For most of us, it really could have been worse and that can be a blessing.

3. The great Jimmy Cliff’s anthem “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” calls on us all to try harder to honor the majesty of our existence and the golden spirits within each of us.

   Instead of fussing and fighting
   Cheating, backbiting
   Scandalizing and hating

   I know that I’d rather be filled with gratitude and appreciation than that icky mess. Check out his live performance from 1970:

What a mensch.

4. I can’t end this without mentioning Bob Marley and the Wailers’s “One Love.” The message is clear and all encompassing to wake up every day with a good attitude and make an effort to be a positive member of this world.

   Let's get together to fight this Holy Armagiddyon (One love)
   So when the Man comes, there will be no, no doom (One song)
   Have pity on those whose chances grows thinner
   There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation

When we all do our part, we can come together and feel alright. I like to feel alright, and I’ll bet you do, as well. What other reggae songs do you listen to when your feeling challenged in some way?

This week, I hope that you look around for someone to lift up with a smile. And if you’re the one who needs lifting, ASK FOR HELP. Your people love you. 💛💛💛

*Player Image by Luisella Planeta LOVE PEACE 💛💙 from Pixabay