70s and 80s Reggae Best Hits: The Golden Era of Conscious Vibes and Dancehall Energy
The 1970s and 1980s were pivotal decades for reggae music. What started in the heart of Jamaica evolved into a global phenomenon, shaping music, fashion, and culture across continents. These decades delivered revolutionary lyrics, powerful rhythms, and unforgettable hits that remain timeless. Here’s a look back at the greatest reggae hits from the ’70s and ’80s—an era defined by roots, rebellion, and rhythm.
THE 1970s: The Rise of Roots and Revolution
The 1970s marked reggae’s international breakout. This was the golden age of roots reggae—conscious, spiritual, and politically charged music. Lyrics spoke of oppression, Rastafarianism, black pride, love, and resistance.
Best Hits of the 1970s
1. Bob Marley & The Wailers – “No Woman, No Cry” (1974)
An anthem of comfort and resilience, this live version became one of Marley’s most beloved songs and introduced reggae to the mainstream.
2. Peter Tosh – “Legalize It” (1976)
A bold, unapologetic call for cannabis legalization and a declaration of Rastafari rights.
3. Burning Spear – “Marcus Garvey” (1975)
A deep roots classic that immortalized the teachings of Garvey while giving roots reggae spiritual weight.
4. Toots and the Maytals – “Funky Kingston” (1972)
One of the earliest hits blending soul, funk, and ska into the reggae movement, laying the groundwork for reggae’s crossover appeal.
5. Jimmy Cliff – “The Harder They Come” (1972)
The soundtrack from the film of the same name introduced reggae to the global stage and helped define the sound of the decade.
6. Culture – “Two Sevens Clash” (1977)
A mystic warning and revolutionary anthem, this song became an international roots classic.
7. Gregory Isaacs – “Love Is Overdue” (1974)
Smooth and sensual, Isaacs’ lovers rock sound started dominating reggae radio waves in the mid to late ’70s.
8. Black Uhuru – “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1979)
This militant, bass-heavy track signaled the rise of dub-infused reggae that would define the next decade.
9. Dennis Brown – “Money In My Pocket” (1979)
A soulful expression of heartbreak and survival, Brown became known as the “Crown Prince of Reggae.”
10. Max Romeo – “War Ina Babylon” (1976)
Produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry, this haunting track prophesied social collapse and demanded justice.
THE 1980s: The Digital Dancehall Explosion
As reggae evolved into the 1980s, a new sound emerged—digital dancehall. Driven by drum machines, stripped-down riddims, and bold deejays, the 1980s created stars and gave reggae a modern twist. Lovers rock also took hold, softening the sound with romantic themes.
Best Hits of the 1980s
1. Yellowman – “Zungguzungguguzungguzeng” (1983)
The King of Dancehall dropped this playful, influential classic that shaped sound system culture forever.
2. Barrington Levy – “Here I Come” (1985)
A genre-defining tune that fused roots and digital dancehall with Levy’s signature voice.
3. Tenor Saw – “Ring the Alarm” (1985)
A timeless sound clash anthem that remains a staple in dancehall sessions.
4. Ini Kamoze – “World a Music” (1984)
Laid the groundwork for his later global hit “Here Comes the Hotstepper,” with hypnotic grooves and poetic cool.
5. Cocoa Tea – “Rocking Dolly” (1986)
Smooth, melodic, and filled with charm, Cocoa Tea was the sound of lovers’ reggae in the dancehall era.
6. Eek-A-Mouse – “Wa-Do-Dem” (1981)
Unique and eccentric, Eek-A-Mouse’s style redefined what a deejay could sound like.
7. Sugar Minott – “Good Thing Going” (1981)
One of reggae’s sweetest lovers rock tunes, it charted in the UK and made Minott a household name.
8. Frankie Paul – “Worries in the Dance” (1983)
A dancehall favorite with soulful vocals and party-ready energy.
9. Shabba Ranks – “Needle Eye Pum Pum” (1989)
Raw and explicit, this early hit helped launch Shabba’s international rise in the coming decade.
10. Wayne Smith – “Under Mi Sleng Teng” (1985)
This track changed everything—the first fully computerized riddim in reggae history. The digital age was born.
Legacy of the Era
The 1970s and 1980s were a time of transformation in reggae. From the deeply spiritual messages of Marley and Burning Spear to the hardcore dancehall energy of Yellowman and Shabba Ranks, reggae music evolved without ever losing its soul. These hits not only rocked Jamaican dancehalls and international charts but also influenced hip-hop, punk, R&B, and pop across the globe.
Whether it was roots or riddim, the ‘70s and ‘80s gave us reggae that spoke to the spirit—and still does.
One Love. One Beat. Timeless Sound.
Long live the golden era of reggae.
