SONG OF THE DAY

“Buffalo Soldier” by Bob Marley (Confrontation, Tuff Gong/ Island Records, 1983). Written by Bob Marley & Noel G. “King Sporty” Williams.

INTERESTING FACTS (from wikipedia)

– “Buffalo Soldier” is from Marley’s final recording sessions in 1980.

– It did not appear on record until the 1983 posthumous release of Confrontation, two years after Marley’s death. The songs on this album were compiled from unreleased material and singles recorded during Marley’s lifetime.

– It is often considered Bob Marley’s most famous song, and is his most played radio single.

– The title and lyrics refer to the black U.S. cavalry regiments, known as “Buffalo Soldiers”, that fought in the Indian Wars after 1866. Marley likened their fight to a fight for survival, and recasts it as a symbol of black resistance.

– The song has been covered by many artists, including Vanilla Ice (on his 2008 album Vanilla Ice Is Back!). [An album that nobody knew existed, LOL].

MY TAKE

Today’s Song Of The Day is dedicated to my Uncle Kevin on his 40th birthday. Kev introduced my sister Li and I to Bob Marley during a ride in his sweet red Jeep Cherokee when we were little. This Marley song in particular always takes me back to that car ride and that feeling of hair-flying-everywhere reggae-rocking-joy. As we drove around Cleveland (I think on our way to a restaurant for some family thing), Li and I discovered reggae, and reggae rocked.

Kev and I also shared many musical moments throughout my life—a shared love of The Smiths, Rush, U2, and many classic rock bands (though I think Aunt Katie might love U2 more than Kev). So, here’s the point: I love you, Uncle Kevin and I hope you realize how much I have loved having you in my life these past 26 years. I have always looked up to you in so many ways, and you have always been a major party of my life. Thank you for always taking the time for me—driving to Nebraska to visit me for my birthday when I was little, coming up to Michigan throughout our lives, opening up your home to Lindsay and I for sleepovers at Christmas, bringing your kids across town whenever we’re visiting Solon, and letting Todd and I be a part of your beautiful home during 4th of July festivities. I love you!

VIDEO OF THE DAY

Click here to watch the posthumously-produced music video for “Buffalo Soldier”.