Isn't Bob Marley overrated?

My problem with him is that a lot of junkies (or wannabe junkies) likes him, saying things like "Yeah, Marley is cool and great", but they actually know just vaguely that he's been doing it, wearing nice haircut (not nice for me) and constantly smiling. Well, from these circles comes big fan base.

I always prefered Jimi over Marley. And black American Jazzman's are of course out of league, their place in history is simply deserved.

And your comparison with Che Guevara Tee's is very true. This kind of people wearing T-shirts with guy about whom they know just that he fought against ..... Yep, that's it, most of them even don't know with whom he's been fighting, or why his nickname is Che.

Chris S wrote: Marley is certainly not overrated IMO. He is a legend, one of the greatest pioneers of reggae and music in general. A great activist for freedom, his unique freedom cry sung so eloquently in his music. Influenced thousands and thousands of musicians, affected millions and millions of listeners. A true legend. Spans across generations and whilst the weed culture is obvious in his music, at least it is for the most part a peaceful pastime. Rasta...!

fuxi wrote: Chris S wrote: Marley is certainly not overrated IMO. He is a legend, one of the greatest pioneers of reggae and music in general. A great activist for freedom, his unique freedom cry sung so eloquently in his music. Influenced thousands and thousands of musicians, affected millions and millions of listeners. A true legend. Spans across generations and whilst the weed culture is obvious in his music, at least it is for the most part a peaceful pastime. Rasta...! The problem is "Freedom Song" doesn't sound eloquent to me. I've heard it compared to Lennon's "Working Class Hero" but I just don't see the point. There's some trace of a melody, but the lyrics are clunky and they don't even seem to fit the rhythm. Give any idealistic 17-year old an acoustic guitar and this is the kind of ditty they might come up with. People from rich countries just seem to like it because they find the Jamaican accent so cute.

Snow Dog wrote: fuxi wrote: Chris S wrote: Marley is certainly not overrated IMO. He is a legend, one of the greatest pioneers of reggae and music in general. A great activist for freedom, his unique freedom cry sung so eloquently in his music. Influenced thousands and thousands of musicians, affected millions and millions of listeners. A true legend. Spans across generations and whilst the weed culture is obvious in his music, at least it is for the most part a peaceful pastime. Rasta...! The problem is "Freedom Song" doesn't sound eloquent to me. I've heard it compared to Lennon's "Working Class Hero" but I just don't see the point. There's some trace of a melody, but the lyrics are clunky and they don't even seem to fit the rhythm. Give any idealistic 17-year old an acoustic guitar and this is the kind of ditty they might come up with. People from rich countries just seem to like it because they find the Jamaican accent so cute. Sorry but i think you are talking bollocks here.

I'm sorry if I seem to be talking "bollocks", since the point I am trying to make is serious.

Nelson Mandela is a wonderful activist for freedom and peace, and in that capacity he is rightly revered by millions of people all over the world, and if you wanted to, you could say something similar about Marley, although I'm not aware that Marley ever ended anything as hideous as apartheid, and in a peaceful way too. You may admire Marley for his ideals, but does that mean he was a great songwriter or a great musician?

Similarly, the Sex Pistols and Madonna undoubtedly influenced "thousands and thousands" of artists all over the world, but does that mean they are great musicians? I certainly don't think so!

So my original question remains. Many of Marley's best-known tunes sound hopelessly naive to me. Am I misguided and was his music more sophisticated than I'm aware of, or could it be that his work (I'm not talking about his personality) is overrated?

Edited by fuxi - September 15 2010 at 04:35

Bah! There's that term again..'overated'

Personally Bob Marley doesn't mean much to me, but his music is by no means the kind of thing that has me lurching for the 'Off' switch on the radio when it's played. I can think of many other artists, arse-kissed and hero worshipped by the music estblishment, and record buying public at large, who don't deserve a fraction of the adoration Marley gets.

Generally though, Reggae doesn't move me. Just not my thing.

Edited by Blacksword - September 15 2010 at 05:00

fuxi wrote: I. Can it be said the hero-worship Marley undergoes is on the same level as nice middle-class kids wearing Che Guevara T-shirts? (Without really understanding what Che wanted or did.) Or am I wrong? Your opinion, please, fellow-proggers!

this is very true you can also said the same thing about people  wearing a pink floyd  t-shirt  [ dark side ..or the wall ]  and usually they dont have an idea what pf is about it

Such informed opinions against the man tonight....I bow to your higher power .

Formentera Lady wrote: fuxi wrote: The problem is "Freedom Song" doesn't sound eloquent to me. I've heard it compared to Lennon's "Working Class Hero" but I just don't see the point. There's some trace of a melody, but the lyrics are clunky and they don't even seem to fit the rhythm. Give any idealistic 17-year old an acoustic guitar and this is the kind of ditty they might come up with..... I do not know Freedom Song, but if you refer to Redemption Song, sorry, the above is bullocks, too. Both have naive melodies, in both songs it is the message that counts, not the melody. Snow Dog wrote: I'm not a huge fan of Marley myself but your generalisations are annoying. I just leave people who really enjoy him to do just that.  This.

Sorry - I did mean "Redemption Song". I'll be the first to admit that the MESSAGE counts; the problem is that the DELIVERY bothers me.

Snow Dog wrote: fuxi wrote: Chris S wrote: Marley is certainly not overrated IMO. He is a legend, one of the greatest pioneers of reggae and music in general. A great activist for freedom, his unique freedom cry sung so eloquently in his music. Influenced thousands and thousands of musicians, affected millions and millions of listeners. A true legend. Spans across generations and whilst the weed culture is obvious in his music, at least it is for the most part a peaceful pastime. Rasta...! The problem is "Freedom Song" doesn't sound eloquent to me. I've heard it compared to Lennon's "Working Class Hero" but I just don't see the point. There's some trace of a melody, but the lyrics are clunky and they don't even seem to fit the rhythm. Give any idealistic 17-year old an acoustic guitar and this is the kind of ditty they might come up with. People from rich countries just seem to like it because they find the Jamaican accent so cute. Sorry but i think you are talking bollocks here.

Blacksword wrote: Bah! There's that term again..'overated' Personally Bob Marley doesn't mean much to me, but his music is by no means the kind of thing that has me lurching for the 'Off' switch on the radio when it's played. I can think of many other artists, arse-kissed and hero worshipped by the music estblishment, and record buying public at large, who don't deserve a fraction of the adoration Marley gets. Generally though, Reggae doesn't move me. Just not my thing.