Bob Marley’s Best-Of Album Reaches A Milestone

Pretty good chance you either own the Bob Marley best-of compilation, Legend, or know someone who does. It’s one of those ubiquitous albums that feel like it’s been around forever – 1984, to be exact, three years after the reggae pioneer passed away.

And now the perfect gateway album into the amazing musical legacy of Bob Marley and the Wailers has just become 17th album to sell over 10 million copies.

Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers entered the Billboard charts at No. 168 and peaked at No. 54; the Jamaican singer-songwriter never had a top-40 hit, but this terrific collection has sold more copies since 1991 (when SoundScan began tracking) than any other album of the ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s.

Jah mon.

Released by Island records on May 8, 1984, Legend has since been reissued with bonus tracks, but the original has all the hits any Marley fan needs for a day at the beach. But I’d be remiss by not saying that there is so much more great music from Bob Marley to be discovered, songs not represented here, but deserving of attention nevertheless.

Paul Grein, who writes the Chart Watch blog for Yahoo.com, told USA Today:

“It’s a quiet blockbuster that has been fan-generated as opposed to pushed by hype or a big campaign.

“The most remarkable aspect is that it has sold more than any other Beatles album except (the hits collection 1). Lots of people would think of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Billy Joel’s The Stranger or Michael Jackson’s Thriller before Legend.”

Grein adds that he thinks Legend will eventually climb from No. 17 be No. 1 on this list, “…especially since new million-sellers aren’t coming along.”

Ten years ago, Legend was No. 52 on SoundScan’s list of top sellers.

Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers

Side one

• “Is This Love”
• “No Woman, No Cry”
• “Could You Be Loved”
• “Three Little Birds”
• “Buffalo Soldier”
• “Get Up, Stand Up”
• “Stir It Up”

Side two

• “One Love/ People Get Ready”
• “I Shot the Sheriff”
• “Waiting in Vain”
• “Redemption Song”
• “Satisfy My Soul”
• “Exodus”
• “Jamming”

Do you own Legend: The Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers? What’s you favorite Bob Marley song?