One Love song and its influence on the new Bob Marley biopic

A significant part of Bob Marley's enduring legacy is epitomized by one of his most cherished songs: One Love. The song's profound lyrics resonate deeply with the essence of the Jamaican musician. So much so that it served as the inspiration for the title of the brand-new biopic about his life, Bob Marley: One Love, which premiered in theaters on Wednesday.

The movie, a collaboration with the Marley family and helmed by director Reinaldo Marcus Green, features Kingsley Ben-Adir portraying the reggae icon. It follows Marley's path as he crafts groundbreaking music and advocates for love and unity.

(Also Read: Exclusive look into Bridgerton Season 3: Penelope confronts Colin over his heartless rejection of her )

From Origins to Iconic Anthem

Originally released in 1965 by Marley's band The Wailers on their debut album The Wailing Wailers, One Love had a more lo-fi sound with influences of ska and rocksteady compared to the familiar version from 1977's Exodus. According to History, Marley wrote the song while deeply engaged in his exploration of the Rastafari faith.

Chart Success and Resurgence

While Exodus made its mark on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., One Love/People Get Ready didn't secure a spot on the chart. However, it achieved success in the U.K., reaching No. 5 on the Singles Chart when officially released as a single in 1984. 

Exodus climbed to the top 10 on the Albums Chart upon its 1977 release. Despite not charting initially, the reggae track has experienced a resurgence on the charts over the years through various releases. Additionally, In 2007, the original 1965 track received a prestigious accolade from the Recording Academy: it was inducted into the Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes songs of historical significance that are at least 25 years old. 

One Love/People Get Ready carries a message of hope, emphasizing the power of unity and collective action to overcome obstacles and enact positive change. This empowering and optimistic perspective was a recurring theme in Marley's life as both an artist and activist.

The song gained added political significance when Marley returned to Jamaica from London in 1978, amidst a period of turmoil in the country. His return followed an assassination attempt, prompting him to flee his homeland temporarily.

(Also Read: Exploring Madame Web's place in the Spider-Man and Marvel cinematic universes )