Masterpieces, fan favorites, and new 21st-century staples for reggae beginners

Reggae, the laid-back music born in Jamaica.

Its comfortable rhythms and liberating melodies are loved around the world and are now actively incorporated into pop and other genres.

In this article, we’ve carefully selected classic and popular reggae tracks, including new 21st-century standards!

We’ve chosen a wide range of songs, from dancehall reggae and dub to raggamuffin, rocksteady, and even lovers rock.

We’ve also included many tracks by artists considered classics and legends, so if you’re new to reggae, start by listening to the songs introduced here!

Playlist

Masterpieces, fan favorites, and new 21st-century staples for reggae beginners
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Sweat (A La La Long)Inner Circle		Introducing the appeal of Inner Circle’s signature song, Sweat
2	One loveBob Marley		A representative reggae song by Bob Marley that sings of love and unity
3	I can see clearly nowJimmy Cliff		Reggae singer from Jamaica
4	Cherry Oh BabyEric Donaldson		Eric Donaldson’s classic love song
5	Police And ThievesJunior Murvin		Junior Marvin’s classic depicting the struggle between police and gangs
6	We Be Burnin’sean paul		Sean Paul's masterpieces take the world by storm.
7	Many Rivers To CrossJimmy Cliff		A masterpiece with powerful lyrics about overcoming trials
8	Wild WorldMaxi Priest		A reggae breakup song, a masterpiece by Maxi Priest
9	WarBob Marley		Bob Marley's longing for peace and his signature songs
10	Hello Mama AfricaGarnett Silk		Reggae that sings of love and nostalgia for Africa
11	The Harder They ComeJimmy Cliff		Jimmy Cliff’s Innovations in Reggae Music
12	I Shot the SheriffInner Circle		Inner Circle covers a reggae classic in their own style
13	Shy GuyDiana King		Diana King’s worldwide hit song
14	Hopelessly In LoveCarroll Thompson		An iconic song by Caron Wheeler that symbolizes Black British culture
15	Night NurseGREGORY ISAACS		Gregory Isaacs’s classic song Night Nurse
16	Marcus garveyBurning Spear		Political masterpiece by Burning Spear
17	Pressure DropToots & The Maytals		A classic by Toots and the Maytals
18	Wanna Be LovedBuju Banton		Buju Banton, a song seeking true love
19	Don’t Turn AroundAswad		A masterpiece that expresses heartbreak and moving forward through reggae
20	Only YouJah Cure		Jah Cure establishes his reputation through music from behind bars
21	No Letting GoWayne Wonder		Wayne Wonder’s song of love and gratitude
22	Turn Me OnKevin Lyttle		singer from Saint Vincent
23	One BloodJunior Reid		Junior Reid’s signature song “One Blood” calls for global unity and peace.
24	Save The WorldPeetah Morgan		Vocalist of Morgan Heritage
25	(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With YouUB40		UB40’s Elvis cover becomes a global hit
26	Could You Be LovedBob Marley		A legendary Jamaican singer spread reggae to the world.
27	My Life So HappyBeenie Man		A major dancehall reggae DJ and singer
28	shineAswad		Aswad, a British reggae band
29	Just Dance Wacky DipDing Dong feat. Voicemail		Active as a dancehall unit, Voice Mail
30	Baby I Love Your WayBig Mountain		An American reggae band becomes a global mega-hit
31	Stepping RazorPeter Tosh		Peter Tosh's masterpiece reggae song
32	CelebrateRebelution		Successful R&B rock band with reggae influences
33	gladys workshopgladstone anderson		The beautiful piano sound of Rocksteady’s father
34	Out the GhettoKonshens		Working as a conscience-driven entrepreneur
35	Rivers of BabylonThe Melodians		The Melodians' classic is loved
36	Jamaican In New YorkShinehead		Reggae that influenced the Jamaican scene
37	True To MyselfZiggy Marley		A singer who is Bob Marley’s eldest son and has inherited his father’s talent.
38	RAPTUREKoffee		Koffee from Jamaica is active as a rising star in reggae
39	Three Little Birds (Exodus 40 Mix)Bob Marley		A classic by Bob Marley, a reggae hit covered by many artists
40	Nothing Gonna Change My Love For YouLukie D		Reggae singers freely blend diverse music and pursue their activities
41	Don’t You RemenberRomain Virgo		Jamaica’s audition winner performs a cover of Adele’s song
42	Do The ReggaeToots & The Maytals		The musical style of Toots & the Maytals
43	King Tubby Meets Rockers UptownKing Tubby		A masterpiece of King Tubby’s innovative mixing technique
44	APOLLO STYLEAPOLLO		A buzzworthy track by an Osaka artist that fuses reggae and rap
45	Without UAlaine		Allein. With an unusual background and a captivating singing voice.
46	I Feel GoodBeres Hammond		A reggae song by Beres Hammond that sings of love and happiness
47	Private NumberBob Andy & Marcia Griffiths		Duet song by Marcia Griffiths and Bob Andy
48	Beautiful DayEtana		Jamaican female reggae singer reaches No. 1 for the first time in 17 years
49	Opportunity only knocks onceJimmy Cliff		Jimmy Cliff's Muscle Shoals recordings
50	Beat Down BabylonJunior Byles		Junior Byles' signature songs
51	Carry OnStephen McGregor		Steven, active as a producer
52	Big NoiseThe Upsetters		Lee Perry is a maverick with a distinctive sound.
53	LIKE A LOVE SONGCOCOA TEA		After working as a fisherman, he returned to the music scene and has continued to thrive.
54	Evening TimeJackie Mittoo		Legendary keyboardist and member of The Skatalites
55	Murder She WroteChaka Demus & Pliers		Signature songs of Chaka Demus & Pliers
56	Let’s Do It AgainJ Boog		A reggae singer representing Hawaii
57	As the Money DoneRomain Virgo		Romain Virgo’s musical career and success
58	The Gospel MedleyRichie Stephens		Richie Stephens, contributing to Jamaica with cheerful songs
59	Handsworth RevolutionSteel Pulse		Reggae masterpiece by Steel Pulse
60	Satta MassaganaThe Abyssinians		Reggae vocal trio The Abyssinians
61	Two Sevens ClashCulture		Culture’s debut album classic
62	Still A Get ByDemarco		A hardworking singer with multifaceted talents
63	Bobby BobylonFreddie McGregor		Introduction to hit songs by a reggae singer
64	Slave QueenJudy Mowatt		Judy Mowatt, a translucent voice.
65	EverywhereMarcia Griffiths		Jamaican female singer receives honorary award
66	Say Hey (I Love You)Michael Franti & Spearhead		A song by an artist seeking peace and equality
67	CollideSinging Melody		The Singing Melody’s vocals and activities
68	Born To LoveSlim Smith		The high potential of a genius singer
69	The Tide Is HighThe Paragons		The original is Paragons
70	Pound For PoundAggro Reggae		The long-awaited new work from Agrolights is complete.
71	Breaking up is hard to doAlton Ellis		Alton Ellis’s rocksteady music.
72	Cry ToughAlton Ellis And The Flames		Alton Ellis’s Rocksteady revival album
73	Boom Shack-A-LakApache Indian		Indian-origin DJ tops both charts with reggae
74	The SongBeres Hammond		A legendary figure who fuses reggae with soul and R&B
75	Walk Away From LoveBitty Mclean		The British prince of reggae gained popularity with a cover song
76	Stir It Up ft. SarkodieBob Marley & The Wailers, Sarkodie		Fusion music of Jamaica and Ghana, with love as the theme
77	Joy rideByron Lee & The Dragonaires		Jamaican music was influenced by calypso and jazz.
78	HolidayCollie Buddz		Collie Buddz is a versatile reggae artist.
79	Always On My MindDa’ville feat. Sean Paul		Daville is Sean Paul
80	You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)Dawn Penn		Introduction to Dawn Penn's reggae classics
81	Members OnlyDuane Stephenson		Duane does a reggae cover of a Bobby Blue song
82	No One Like GodElephant man		Representative dancehall artist, unique singing style
83	LiquidationErnest Ranglin		Ernie, Jamaica’s national-treasure-level guitarist
84	Mr. IsaacsGREGORY ISAACS		Gregory Isaacs did not leave any recordings at Studio One
85	Sea Of LoveHeptones		A masterpiece by The Heptones from the rocksteady era
86	VietnamJimmy Cliff		Singing about the tragedy of the Vietnam War
87	Set Me FreeKen Boothe		Reggae can arrange any song
88	Girl I SurrenderLukie D		Rookie D's rock cover album is popular.
89	BatmanLyn Taitt and The Jets		Rocksteady with a Batman cover
90	Love SomebodyMaxi Priest		Maxi Priest Odoru Daisousasen theme song
91	Above The BonesMishka		Mishika is a homeless singer who lives on a sailing ship
92	Thinking Out LoudMr. Vegas		A famous hitmaker in the dancehall scene
93	Why Must I CryPeter Tosh		Tosh’s masterpiece of a heartbreak ballad
94	Fighting For LoveRyan Hiraoka		A Hawaiian reggae love song
95	Gimme The Lightsean paul		Sean Paul, a masterpiece of dancehall reggae
96	Everyday PeopleSlightly Stoopid (ft. G. Love & Special Sauce)		A reggae band from California, characterized by a mellow sound
97	44/876 ft. Morgan Heritage, AidoniaSting, Shaggy		A dance track that fuses reggaeton and EDM
98	Since You Came Into My LifeSugar Minott & J.C. Lodge		Sugar Minott and JC Lodge are famous reggae singers from Jamaica.
99	She’s RoyalTarrus Riley		A smash hit by Jamaican reggae artist Tarrus Riley.
100	Money WorriesThe Maytones		Hidden reggae gems are still being appreciated today
101	Ways Of The WorldThe Movement		The Movement’s discography of song releases
102	54-46 Was My NumberToots & The Maytals		A hybrid song of rock and reggae
103	Clarks AgainVybz Kartel		A talented dancehall superstar
104	Stay With YouTarrus Riley		The son of a rocksteady singer sings about love
105	Uptown Top RankingAlthea & Donna		A reggae masterpiece born from youthful talent
106	Games People PlayBob Andy		Reggae maestro receives the People's Honor Award
107	LOVE FIREBunny Wailer		Introduction of the achievements of Bunny, a member of the Wailers
108	We a rockerJACOB MILLER		Reggae legend dies young in a traffic accident
109	Legalize ItPeter Tosh		Peter Tosh’s 1976 masterpiece gets reissued
110	Sweet LoveSerani		Serrani’s reggae R&B fusion love song
111	Thank YouW.A.S.P.		A musically talented singer-songwriter and DJ
112	You Know (I Love You)Ho’okoa		The sweet vocals of a reggae group originating from Tonga
113	Local MotionPepper		Pepper’s eighth album “Local Motion”