Bob Marley is the king of reggae, there's really no question about that. The Jamaican singer/songwriter started blending reggae, ska and rocksteady with The Wailers in 1963, developing a distinctive singing and songwriting style which became and still is severely popular worldwide. Bob Marley and The Wailers parted ways in 1974 before he took off on his solo career which saw him sell more than 75 million records, making him one of the world's best selling artists of all time. Before that though, in 1973 they released a compilation album,
African Herbsmen and on it is
"Trenchtown Rock".
The song about Bob Marley's hometown opens with:
one good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain
one good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain
So hit me with music, hit me with music
Hit me with music, hit me with music now
A few years back, when I was in extremely agonizing heartbreak, it hit me that these lyrics are not 100% true. I love music, I love listening to it and seeing it live. When I was captive of a heart that was breaking terribly, not able to sleep, eat, live my waking life without feeling like I'd shatter into a billion pieces at any given moment, when tears filled my eyes all day and I felt a pain so deep it paralyzed me, I found I also couldn't listen to music. And it wasn't just one song I couldn't bear to hear, or one artist I had to steer clear of, it was all music.
When music hit me then, it hurt.
And, it hurt that it hurt.
From Mumford & Sons to Florence and The Machine, Adele, Lana Del Rey, No Doubt, The Rolling Stones, Ellie Goulding, Of Monsters and Men, Sleigh Bells, The Dead Weather, Crystal Castles, Liz Phair and so many more would make my stomach cartwheel into my throat, nearly knocking the wind out of me and my face would contort as I fought to suppress the waves of hot tears that would inevitably blanket my face no matter where I was: driving, at work, on the bus, in the shower, cooking, at the gym...
The emptiness I felt inside was amplified by music.
Anywhere and everywhere, a song would hit me and I'd crumble to pieces.
How embarrassing, I thought. I can't even listen to music because it hurts so much all because I let my heart get broken.
After a while I was slowly able to introduce music back in my life without breaking down. To this day some songs still trigger an undesirable emotional response. Some days for instance, I can listen and rock out to
"Dog Days Are Over" and other days I simply can not.
I had a heartfelt talk with a friend going through her own heartache. Our stories are very different but at one point she apologized because she had to change the song that came on, she couldn't listen to it at the moment, it was too much for her.
I told her she needn't apologize, there had been months I couldn't listen to anything. Anything.
You can feel pain when music hits you.
You can feel pain when music hits you, and it's ok.
My friend is a musician and explained that the music she had been making lately was all very sad and blue. A lot of creative genius stems from heartbreak. Some of your favorite songs might be from someone else's darkest days and lowest lows.
I often think about Trenchtown Rock and it's opening lyrics around this time of year because, well Valentine's Day and love, lovers, dates, hearts, flowers, all of that.
I think one good thing thing about music, the best thing about music is how it involuntarily brings strangers together in a happy unison and that unison comes in so many forms. It's a beautiful thing really. Last weekend, for example, I worked the
One Love Cali Reggae Festival in Long Beach California. The three day, outdoor festival was completely sold-out and despite the spitting rain, whipping wind and cold temperatures fans still came out to the show. Appropriately named,
"One Love" which of course another Bob Marley song. Released in 1977 on what was Bob Marley and The Wailers' ninth studio album, "One Love" opens with: one love, one heart
let's get together and feel alright.
That's what music festivals are all about, getting together and feeling alright.
When he passed away in 1981 at the ripe, young age of 36, Bob Marley left a legacy behind: kids today not only know who Bob Marley is but they know his music, they listen to his music.
People's love for Bob Marley lives on.
If you don't consider yourself a fan of reggae, I bet you know a Bob Marley song when you hear one.
Galentine's Day and/or Vaelntine's Day, falling in or out of love happens everyday. It's a tricky thing, that crazy little thing called love.
Just know that if music hits you and you do feel pain, it's ok, you're not alone.
