Redemption Song
Encyclopedia
The song urges listeners to "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery," because "None but ourselves can free our minds". These lines were taken from a speech given by Marcus Garvey
in Nova Scotia
during October 1937 and published in his Black Man magazine:
In 2009, Jamaican poet and broadcaster Mutabaruka
chose "Redemption Song" as the most influential recording in Jamaican music history.
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr., ONH was a Jamaican publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator who was a staunch proponent of the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements, to which end he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League...
in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
during October 1937 and published in his Black Man magazine:
In 2009, Jamaican poet and broadcaster Mutabaruka
Mutabaruka
Mutabaruka is a dub poet. His name comes from the Rwandan language and translates as "one who is always victorious". He lives in Potosi District, St. James with his significant other, Yvonne, and their two childern. Mutabaruka continues to perform and write poems on every issue known to man...
chose "Redemption Song" as the most influential recording in Jamaican music history.
Covers
- Manfred Mann's Earth BandManfred Mann's Earth BandManfred Mann's Earth Band is a British progressive rock group formed in 1971 by Manfred Mann.-Formation:Having started in the 1960s with a British band that had such hits as "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" and "The Mighty Quinn", then moving on to Jazz Fusion with Manfred Mann's Chapter Three, Manfred's third...
covered the song on their 1983 album Somewhere in AfrikaSomewhere in AfrikaSomewhere in Afrika is an album released in 1983 by Manfred Mann's Earth Band.- Track listing :Side one#"Tribal Statistics" – 4:16#"Eyes of Nostradamus" – 3:28#"Third World Service" – 5:18#"Demolition Man" – 3:45...
. - Jackson BrowneJackson BrowneJackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
performed an acoustic version at the 1995 opening of the Rock and Roll Hall of FameRock and Roll Hall of FameThe Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
that was released on the all-star album Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - EnglishEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
R&BContemporary R&BContemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
girl groupGirl groupA girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
EternalEternal (band)Eternal were an English R&B girl group formed in 1992. The group featured two sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, alongside Kelle Bryan and Louise Nurding...
covered the song on their 1995 album Power of a WomanPower of a WomanPower of a Woman is the second studio album by the British R&B vocal group Eternal and was the first to feature without former member Louise who left to the group to pursue a solo career.-Overview:...
. - Life Of AgonyLife of Agony-Formation and River Runs Red :The band was formed in the summer of 1989 by singer Keith Caputo, bassist Alan Robert and guitarist Joey Z. After playing with several drummers, they enlisted Type O Negative drummer Sal Abruscato before recording the debut album River Runs Red after they signed to...
included an acoustic version on limited editions of their 1995 album UglyUgly (album)Ugly is the second album released by Life of Agony in 1995 through Roadrunner Records .-Track listing:-Bonus tracks:A limited metal case edition of Ugly contains two additional tracks:...
. - Punk rockPunk rockPunk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band No Use For A NameNo Use for a NameNo Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers...
recorded a cover for their 1995 album Leche Con Carne. - A rare cover recorded by Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
was included on his 1996 compilation Stevie Wonder - Song Review: Greatest HitsSong Review: A Greatest Hits CollectionSong Review: A Greatest Hits Collection is a 1996 double disc compilation album by Stevie Wonder.-Track listings:Disc 1#"Part-Time Lover"#"I Just Called to Say I Love You"#"Superstition"#"Sir Duke"#"My Cherie Amour"#"I Was Made to Love Her"...
. - US-based duo MoodswingsMoodswings (band)Moodswings is a musical duo composed of Grant Showbiz and James F.T. Hood. Grant Showbiz was a onetime roadie and guitar tech who later produced albums by The Smiths, Billy Bragg, Silverfish, and Gong. James Hood was a former drummer for The Pretenders, The Impossible Dreamers, Kid Creole & the...
included a cover of the song on their 1997 release Psychedelicatessen. - Sinéad O'ConnorSinéad O'ConnorSinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
performed this song live during her 1997 tour. A recording of this was used as B-side on the This Is a Rebel Song CD single. - Sweet Honey in the RockSweet Honey in the RockSweet Honey in the Rock is an all-woman, African-American a cappella ensemble. They are an American Grammy Award-winning troupe who express their history as women of color through song, while entertaining their audience. They have together worked from four women to the difficult five-part harmony...
performed an a capella version of it on their 1998 album Twenty-Five - SeggaeSeggaeSeggae is a fusion genre of sega, the traditional music of the Mascarene Islands, and reggae. Seggae is one of the most popular music genres in Mauritius.-Origin:...
band BasterBaster (band)Baster is a band which from Réunion founded in 1983. They perform sega, maloya and reggae. Their music has been described as electric maloya. They are one of the most popular maloya groups and perform a poetic and lyrical form of the genre....
recorded a version for their album Raskok in 2001. - IrishIrish peopleThe Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
folk musicFolk musicFolk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
band The ChieftainsThe ChieftainsThe Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
recorded a cover with Bob Marley's son, Ziggy MarleyZiggy MarleyDavid "Ziggy" Marley is a Jamaican musician and leader of the band Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. He is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley...
, on their 2002 album The Wide World Over: A 40 Year CelebrationThe Wide World Over-Personnel:*Derek Bell – cláirseach, oboe, keyboards, tiompán, vocals*Kevin Conneff – bodhrán, vocals*Martin Fay – fiddle, bones, vocals*Seán Keane – fiddle, tin whistle, vocals...
. - Joe StrummerJoe StrummerJohn Graham Mellor , best remembered by his stage name Joe Strummer, was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the British punk rock band The Clash. His musical experience included his membership in The 101ers, Latino Rockabilly War, The Mescaleros and The Pogues, in...
, formerly of The ClashThe ClashThe Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, recorded a version on his last album StreetcoreStreetcore-Cover versions of songs:The song "Coma Girl" was performed as the opening number at Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's performance at the Glastonbury Festival on June 27, 2009....
not long before his death in 2002. The track featured producer Rick RubinRick RubinFrederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
on melodicaMelodicaThe melodica, also known as the "blow-organ" or "key-flute", is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodeon and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole,...
and piano. Rubin also produced a version with Strummer and Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
for Cash's posthumous box set, Unearthed. - New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
reggae band KatchafireKatchafireKatchafire is a New Zealand roots reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand.Katchafire formed in 1997 as a Bob Marley tribute band and later began writing and performing their own songs...
(initially a Bob Marley tribute band) included a cover of Redemption song on their 2003 debut album, Revival. - A cover by Canadian artist Chantal KreviazukChantal KreviazukChantal Jennifer Kreviazuk is a Canadian singer-songwriter of the adult contemporary music genre. She is also a classically trained pianist, and can play the guitar.-Albums:...
was included on the 2003 compilation Peace Songs. - Ethiopian-American neo-soul artist WaynaWaynaWayna is an Ethiopian-born American R&B singer.Her single "My Love" reached the Billboard R&B charts in 2008, peaking at #99...
recorded a version for her 2004 album 2004. - SerbianSerbiaSerbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
rock band Bajaga i InstruktoriBajaga i InstruktoriBajaga i Instruktori are a highly popular Serbian and former Yugoslav rock band...
recorded a Serbian languageSerbian languageSerbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
cover of the song, titled "Pesma slobode", with guest appearance by pop singer Bebi Dol, releasing it on their 2005 album Šou počinje u ponoćŠou počinje u ponoćŠou počinje u ponoć is the eight studio album from Serbian rock band Bajaga i Instruktori, released in 2005....
. - DanishDenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
band OutlandishOutlandishOutlandish is a multi-award–winning hip-hop group based in Denmark. Formed in 1997, it consists of Isam Bachiri , Waqas Ali Qadri , and Lenny Martinez . All three members are religious, with Isam and Waqas being Muslims and Lenny being Catholic...
recorded a version and included it in the deluxe version of their 2005 album Closer Than VeinsCloser Than VeinsCloser Than Veins is the third album by the Danish hip-hop group Outlandish, released in 2005.-Track listing:#Introspective#Any Given Time#Look Into My Eyes #Just Me#Kom Igen #Nothing Left To Do...
. - In 2009, Angelique KidjoAngélique KidjoAngélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, commonly known as Angélique Kidjo is a Grammy Award–winning Beninoise singer-songwriter and activist, noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva". The BBC has...
released a version of the song on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music CelebrationOh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration"Some of secular music's top acts -- among them Queen Latifah, Jon Bon Jovi, Joss Stone and 3 Doors Down -- take a walk on the spiritual side for Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration."...
. - The song was a charity cover song by singer RihannaRihannaRobyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
. It was released for the Hope For Haiti Now campaign in January 2010. - Aly Michalka and Ben Cotten performed their version of this song on an episode of HellcatsHellcatsHellcats is an American cheerleading comedy-drama television series that originally aired on The CW in the United States from September 8, 2010 to May 17, 2011...
(Season 1 Episode 15), premiered in 2010. - Chris CornellChris CornellChris Cornell is an American rock musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the former lead vocalist for Audioslave. He is also known for his numerous solo works and soundtrack contributions since 1998...
has covered "Redemption Song" acoustically.