30 Best Reggae Covers of All Time
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“Red Red Wine” – UB40
Original by: Neil Diamond
One of the most iconic reggae covers ever made, it became a global anthem. -
“I Can See Clearly Now” – Jimmy Cliff
Original by: Johnny Nash
A joyful classic made legendary again through Jimmy Cliff’s voice. -
“Police and Thieves” – Junior Murvin
Original by: Junior Murvin (with Lee Scratch Perry production; later covered by The Clash)
Though original to Murvin, it became more famous after The Clash’s punk cover, making the reggae version the definitive. -
“A Little Bit of Love” – Beres Hammond
Original by: Free
Beres adds a smooth lovers rock twist. -
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – Arthur Louis feat. Eric Clapton
Original by: Bob Dylan
Reggae blues fusion at its finest. -
“Don’t Look Back” – Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger
Original by: The Temptations
A soulful reggae duet that added Caribbean fire to Motown. -
“Stir It Up” – Johnny Nash
Original by: Bob Marley
While written by Marley, Nash’s version brought the song and Marley to a wider global audience. -
“Cupid” – Amy Winehouse (Reggae Version)
Original by: Sam Cooke
Soulful and haunting with a reggae rhythm. -
“Is This Love” – Corinne Bailey Rae (Live Reggae Cover)
Original by: Bob Marley & The Wailers
A tender and emotional tribute to Marley’s classic. -
“Here I Am (Come and Take Me)” – UB40
Original by: Al Green
UB40 turned this soul classic into a pop-reggae hit. -
“Walk On By” – Leroy Sibbles
Original by: Dionne Warwick
Classic heartbreak with a reggae bounce. -
“My Boy Lollipop” – Millie Small
Original by: Barbie Gaye
The song that put Jamaican ska on the global map in the ’60s. -
“To Love Somebody” – Jimmy Somerville & Sly & Robbie
Original by: The Bee Gees
Emotional vocals and a heavy bassline. -
“Lean on Me” – Dennis Brown
Original by: Bill Withers
The Crown Prince of Reggae brings spiritual depth. -
“Something” – The Johnny Clarke Version
Original by: The Beatles
Clarke’s smooth vocal styling takes this into a rootsy realm. -
“The Tide Is High” – The Paragons
Original by: The Paragons (Made famous later by Blondie)*
A pure rocksteady gem before Blondie made it pop. -
“Ain’t No Sunshine” – Ken Boothe
Original by: Bill Withers
Boothe’s delivery adds raw Jamaican soul. -
“Let’s Stay Together” – Phyllis Dillon
Original by: Al Green
One of rocksteady’s finest female voices owns this one. -
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Jimmy London
Original by: Simon & Garfunkel
A heartfelt version with a roots touch. -
“Norwegian Wood” – The Mighty Diamonds
Original by: The Beatles
A haunting reggae reinterpretation of a psychedelic folk classic. -
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” – Richie Stephens
Original by: The Righteous Brothers
Reggae soul magic. -
“Tears on My Pillow” – Johnny Nash
Original by: Little Anthony & The Imperials
Nash makes it smooth and island-sweet. -
“What’s Going On” – Tony Rebel
Original by: Marvin Gaye
A conscious cover that keeps the message alive in a reggae tone. -
“Try a Little Tenderness” – Bitty McLean
Original by: Otis Redding
Lovers rock gold. -
“One in Ten” – UB40
Original inspired by: unemployment figures
An original UB40 track, but a take on social commentary like Marley. -
“Young, Gifted and Black” – Bob and Marcia
Original by: Nina Simone
Uplifting and bold — became a UK reggae anthem. -
“Stop That Train” – Keith & Tex
Original by: The Spanishtonians
A slowed-down, heartfelt rocksteady rendition. -
“Close to You” – Maxi Priest
Original by: The Carpenters (inspired)
Pop/reggae crossover that topped international charts. -
“Natural Woman” – Marcia Griffiths
Original by: Aretha Franklin
Griffiths adds her legendary voice to this empowering anthem. -
“She’s Royal” (Acoustic Reggae Covers by Various Artists)
Original by: Tarrus Riley
Though reggae originally, the many acoustic reggae reworks show the song’s power as a modern classic.
