Bob Marley’s family and Unicef recreate ‘One Love’

Reggae legend Bob Marley and his band The Wailers released One Love in 1977. Unicef has recreated the hit song in support of its work to help children affected by COVID-19.

The international organisation which works to support children around the world released a statement on 9 July:

“In support of Unicef’s work to help children affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the Marley family and Amplified Records are reimagining Bob Marley’s classic #OneLoveOneHeart song.”

‘One Love’: Global solidarity anthem

The global solidarity anthem in support of Unicef’s Reimagine campaign was released on Friday 17 July and is now available on all major streaming platforms.

The Marley family and Amplified Records worked with numerous artists around the world on the new version.

The jewellery brand Pandora also has contributed by committing to doubling any donation made, up to $1 million.

Today, the song still holds its power and is still as popular as it was 43 years ago.

The Wailers first released One Love in 1965 and only later decided to update the song with Marley.

The song made it into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2007. By then, however, Marley had already passed on.

Bob Marley’s legacy

The Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician died in 1981 when he was 36, from skin cancer. Had he lived, he would have turned 75 in February this year.

Considered one of the pioneers of reggae music, Marley and his band fused together elements of several genres such as reggae, ska and rocksteady. Together with his unique vocals and talent for writing songs, he left an enduring legacy.

He also was a Rastafarian, sporting dreadlocks and advocating the use of marijuana.

Marley’s No Woman No Cry is one of the classics of the reggae movement and became a global hit, but there were countless others including Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibration and Exodus.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at 11 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.