Best protest songs: No. 21, “Get Up, Stand Up” - Bob Marley
By Jim
Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 1:31 am in Bob Marley, Get Up, Stand Up, Top 25 Protest Songs of All Time.
In honor of this election year, I am looking back at the 25 greatest protest songs of all time. I’m starting with No. 25 and working my way up. Note: Each artist was only eligible to have one song make the list. To read past entries on this list, click here.
21, “Get Up, Stand Up,” Bob Marley (1973)
A religious protest song in nature, “Get Up, Stand Up” railed against mainstream Christianity and implored Rastafarians to uphold their own beliefs. That direct and specific message seems to have been lost on most ears, which heard the song simply as an anthem to “stand up for your rights.” Marley might not have approved of that broader interpretation, but we’re more than OK with it. Other worthy Marley contenders considered for this list included “Redemption Song” and “Buffalo Soldier.”
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October 10th, 2008 at 8:54 am
This is a good choice. While Marley probably would have wanted to stick with the religious protest, the expanded view of it fits with more people. Not everyone is up for protesting religion.
But everyone is up for standing up for their rights.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Though this song was co-written by Marley, the lyrics were mainly penned by Peter Tosh, who could be pointed and caustic in his political lyrics. As transcendent a human as Bob was, he was hardly as political as Tosh. Tosh has a virtual library of incredible protest songs, but this is easily the most famous. But no matter who sings it, its one of the greats…
October 20th, 2008 at 8:30 am
i love bob marley
November 13th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
hi and thank you for the replies