The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 – 2017: A Musical Journey Through Jamaica’s Global Soundtrack

The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 – 2017: A Musical Journey Through Jamaica’s Global Soundtrack

Reggae music is more than just a genre — it’s a global movement, a cultural revolution, and a sound that has influenced generations across the world. Born from the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, reggae evolved from ska and rocksteady in the late 1960s to become the heartbeat of the Caribbean and the soul of resistance, love, and liberation. From 1962 to 2017, reggae produced timeless classics that continue to inspire.

Here is a curated list of The Top 100 Reggae Songs From 1962 – 2017, showcasing the pioneers, hitmakers, and game-changers who defined the genre’s evolution. These songs were selected based on influence, longevity, cultural impact, international reach, and pure sonic brilliance.

1960s – The Foundations (Ska & Rocksteady to Early Reggae)

1. Simmer Down – The Wailers (1963)

2. Carry Go Bring Come – Justin Hinds & The Dominoes (1964)

3. 007 (Shanty Town) – Desmond Dekker (1967)

4. Israelites – Desmond Dekker (1968)

5. Bangarang – Stranger Cole & Lester Sterling (1969)

6. Tougher Than Tough – Derrick Morgan (1967)

7. Rivers of Babylon – The Melodians (1969)

8. Train to Skaville – The Ethiopians (1967)

9. Rock Steady – Alton Ellis (1967)

10. You Don’t Care – The Techniques (1968)

1970s – The Rise of Roots and Conscious Reggae

11. No Woman, No Cry – Bob Marley & The Wailers (1974)

12. Police and Thieves – Junior Murvin (1976)

13. War – Bob Marley & The Wailers (1976)

14. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – Black Uhuru (1979)

15. Declaration of Rights – The Abyssinians (1972)

16. Satta Massagana – The Abyssinians (1976)

17. Marcus Garvey – Burning Spear (1975)

18. Slavery Days – Burning Spear (1975)

19. Legalize It – Peter Tosh (1976)

20. Equal Rights – Peter Tosh (1977)

21. Two Sevens Clash – Culture (1977)

22. Book of Rules – The Heptones (1973)

23. Tenement Yard – Jacob Miller (1976)

24. Cool Ruler – Gregory Isaacs (1978)

25. Love Is Overdue – Gregory Isaacs (1974)

26. Jah Jah City – Capleton (late 1970s roots version)

27. Lovers Rock – Dennis Brown (1977)

28. Money in My Pocket – Dennis Brown (1979)

29. Uptown Top Ranking – Althea & Donna (1977)

30. Baltimore – The Tamlins (1979)

1980s – Digital Revolution and Dancehall Emergence

31. Here I Come – Barrington Levy (1985)

32. Under Mi Sleng Teng – Wayne Smith (1985)

33. Greetings – Half Pint (1986)

34. Diseases – Michigan & Smiley (1982)

35. Night Nurse – Gregory Isaacs (1982)

36. Ganja Smuggling – Eek-A-Mouse (1981)

37. I’m Still in Love With You – Marcia Aitken (1981)

38. Pass the Dutchie – Musical Youth (1982)

39. Bam Bam – Sister Nancy (1982)

40. Ring the Alarm – Tenor Saw (1985)

41. Punaany – Admiral Bailey (1986)

42. Boops – Super Cat (1985)

43. Rambo – Tiger (1986)

44. Big Ship – Freddie McGregor (1982)

45. Rumours – Gregory Isaacs (1988)

46. One Blood – Junior Reid (1989)

47. Hello Darling – Tippa Irie (1986)

48. Zungguzungguguzungguzeng – Yellowman (1983)

49. Sleng Teng – King Jammy & Wayne Smith (1985)

50. Telephone Love – JC Lodge (1988)

1990s – Dancehall Explosion & Crossover Success

51. Murder She Wrote – Chaka Demus & Pliers (1992)

52. Tease Me – Chaka Demus & Pliers (1993)

53. Who Am I (Sim Simma) – Beenie Man (1997)

54. Heads High – Mr. Vegas (1998)

55. Action – Nadine Sutherland & Terror Fabulous (1994)

56. Informer – Snow (1993)

57. Ting-A-Ling – Shabba Ranks (1992)

58. Trailer Load A Girls – Shabba Ranks (1991)

59. Mr. Loverman – Shabba Ranks feat. Chevelle Franklin (1992)

60. Hot Gal Today – Sean Paul & Mr. Vegas (1997)

61. Champion – Buju Banton (1995)

62. Untold Stories – Buju Banton (1995)

63. I Believe in You and Me – Garnett Silk (1994)

64. Thank You Mama – Sizzla (1997)

65. Black Woman & Child – Sizzla (1997)

66. Ghetto Red Hot – Super Cat (1992)

67. Wicked inna Bed – Shabba Ranks (1990)

68. Sycamore Tree – Lady Saw (1997)

69. Workie Workie – Lady Patra (1993)

70. Bonafide Love – Wayne Wonder & Buju Banton (1993)

2000s – Global Breakthroughs & Roots Revival

71. Get Busy – Sean Paul (2003)

72. Temperature – Sean Paul (2005)

73. No Letting Go – Wayne Wonder (2003)

74. It’s a Pity – Tanya Stephens (2004)

75. Welcome to Jamrock – Damian Marley (2005)

76. Beautiful – Damian Marley feat. Bobby Brown (2005)

77. She’s Royal – Tarrus Riley (2006)

78. Mama You Know I Love You – Richie Spice (2004)

79. Serious Times – Gyptian (2005)

80. Hold Yuh – Gyptian (2009)

81. Come Over (Missing You) – Busy Signal (2008)

82. Call the Hearse – Vybz Kartel (2005)

83. Ramping Shop – Vybz Kartel & Spice (2009)

84. Clarks – Vybz Kartel feat. Popcaan (2010)

85. Gimme Likkle One Drop – Tarrus Riley (2013)

86. I Feel Good – Beres Hammond (2001)

87. Rockaway – Beres Hammond (2003)

88. Love So Nice – Junior Kelly (2001)

89. I Can See Clearly Now (Reggae Version) – Jimmy Cliff (2002)

90. All Will Be Fine – Jah Cure (2005)

2010s – The Modern Wave

91. Toast – Koffee (2018, early version in 2017)

92. Raggamuffin – Koffee (2017)

93. Who Knows – Protoje ft. Chronixx (2014)

94. Here Comes Trouble – Chronixx (2013)

95. Same Prayer – Chronixx ft. Kabaka Pyramid (2017)

96. Call Me Out – Romain Virgo (2015)

97. Soul Provider – Romain Virgo (2016)

98. Cool As The Breeze/Friday – Chronixx (2017)

99. No Cigarette Smoking (In My Room) – Stephen Marley feat. Melanie Fiona (2011)

100. That’s Not True – Skip Marley & Damian Marley (2017)

Final Thoughts

From ska beats and Rastafari anthems to dancehall bangers and international chart-toppers, this list is a celebration of reggae’s rich legacy. Every track listed has left its mark on music lovers worldwide, echoing messages of love, resistance, fun, and spirituality. Whether you’re a reggae purist, a casual listener, or new to the genre, these songs form the essential soundtrack of a powerful cultural movement.

One love. One heart. Let’s get together and feel alright.