Description
Bob Marley And The Wailers – Legend (The Best Of) – Double 180 Gram Vinyl Records
35th Anniversary Limited Edition
Pressed on heavyweight 180gm Vinyl
Legend as originally released on vinyl for the first time since 1984 + 2 UK Bonus Tracks
Bob Marley and the Wailers – Legend (The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers) is one of the most iconic and best-selling compilation albums in music history — not just in reggae, but across all genres. Originally released on May 8, 1984, by Island Records, Legend serves as a definitive introduction to the music of Bob Marley, collecting his most enduring and accessible songs recorded with The Wailers during the 1970s. It has since become the best-selling reggae album of all time, with sales exceeding 30 million copies worldwide, and has achieved a kind of mythic status, introducing generations of listeners to Marley’s message of peace, resistance, and spiritual unity.
The compilation spans Bob Marley’s most commercially successful period, focusing primarily on his post-1972 Island Records output, which gave rise to global hits and made him a cultural icon far beyond Jamaica. The original release of Legend contains 14 tracks, all of which are either major singles or fan favorites. Songs like “Is This Love,” “No Woman, No Cry” (Live), “Could You Be Loved,” “Three Little Birds,” “Buffalo Soldier,” “Get Up, Stand Up,” “Stir It Up,” and “One Love / People Get Ready” are not only foundational to Marley’s legend but have become universal anthems of love, resistance, and hope.
The album reflects the full spectrum of Marley’s artistry — from the soft, romantic lilt of “Waiting in Vain” to the fiery, politically charged energy of “Exodus” and “Redemption Song.” It covers a wide emotional and thematic range, highlighting his gifts as a songwriter who could convey both revolutionary fervor and deep emotional vulnerability. “No Woman, No Cry” (presented in its famed live version from the Live! album recorded at the Lyceum Theatre in London in 1975) is perhaps the album’s emotional centerpiece, expressing compassion for those suffering in poverty, while “One Love” embodies the unity and spiritual uplift central to Marley’s message.
What makes Legend so enduring is not just its tracklist, but how it distills Marley’s appeal into something instantly approachable and infinitely replayable. For many listeners outside Jamaica — especially in the United States, UK, and Europe — Legend was their first exposure to reggae, and it remains the entry point for countless fans around the world. The album’s sequencing is expertly done, moving fluidly between upbeat grooves and more meditative material, making it feel like a cohesive artistic statement rather than just a greatest-hits collection.
Over the years, Legend has been released in multiple formats, including vinyl, CD, deluxe editions, and digital remasters. Some versions include additional tracks like “Punky Reggae Party” or different mixes of existing songs. The Deluxe Edition, for example, expands the tracklist and includes both studio and live versions of certain songs. Additionally, a 35th Anniversary Edition on vinyl features a beautifully remastered tracklist and restored artwork, often pressed on colored or high-quality 180-gram vinyl — making it a favorite among audiophiles and collectors.
Culturally, Legend helped solidify Bob Marley’s legacy not just as a reggae star, but as a global musical and spiritual figure. His music, as presented on this album, transcends genre — it’s political without being polarizing, spiritual without being preachy, and rooted in Jamaican struggle while remaining universally relatable. Marley’s Rastafarian beliefs, his embrace of Pan-Africanism, and his fierce commitment to peace and justice all come through in songs like “Redemption Song” and “Get Up, Stand Up,” offering messages that still resonate in today’s fractured world.
Legend has received near-universal acclaim. It is a fixture on “greatest albums” lists, including Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, where it ranks prominently. It’s also among the albums selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural and historical significance.
Legend is more than just a greatest-hits album — it is a cultural touchstone. It has introduced millions to reggae, to Marley’s philosophy of “One Love,” and to the healing, unifying power of music. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this compilation remains an essential listen — a timeless collection that captures the heart, soul, and revolutionary spirit of Bob Marley and the Wailers in just under an hour.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Is This Love
No Woman, No Cry
Could You Be Loved
Three Little Birds
Buffalo Soldier
Get Up, Stand Up
Stir It Up
Easy Skanking
One Love / People Get Ready
I Shot The Sheriff
Waiting In Vain
Redemption Song
Satisfy My Soul
Exodus
Jamming
Punky Reggae Party
