Bob Marley – Redemption Song (1980)

As my (ahem) “many” followers will know, I’ve generally tried to steer this blog away from the obvious and, instead, to tracks that are one step back from the mainstream.

However, occasionally, one just needs to relent from this puritannical crusade and acknowledge genuine works of genius.

Over the last few years, I’ve made some wonderful friends from all over the world and, while most have been willing to consider the merits of an Artery B-Side from 1980, the one song that never fails to ignite good feelings is this one. Power, passion and profundity in three minutes. Universal truths.

Bob Marley had already been diagnosed with the cancer that killed him when he wrote this and I have to say I struggle to name a song as profound and “on the money” as this one.  The LP version then a stunning live acoustic version.