Wander Thoughts

Bob Marley's music popularized reggae globally. The messages of peace conveyed through this music genre are more significant now than they have ever been.

In June 1980, Bob Marley performed in front of an audience of approximately 8,000 people within the Cologne sports hall. At that point, he was battling the illness that would ultimately claim his life. However, he still exuded charm and captivated the crowd as he rendered "Redemption Song" and other crowd-pleasing songs.

He would have been 80 years old on February 6, 2025.

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A Life of One Love, as told through Bob Marley.

His songs' political and spiritual messages remain highly relevant in current times of social unrest.

A follower of Rastafari

I was proclaimed Emperor of Ethiopia on November 2, 1930. A few years prior to this, Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey had predicted the coronation of a powerful black king in Africa who would bring about black liberation.

The Rastafari movement is named after Haile Selassie's original title, Ras Tafari Makonnen. "Ras" is Amharic for "prince", the language spoken in Ethiopia. The majority of Rastafarians viewed Selassie as Jesus Christ's second incarnation. The Rastafarian faith draws heavily from the Bible, particularly the New Testament Book of Revelation. Rastafarians await their return to Zion, an allusion to Africa mentioned in the Bible. Fundamental tenets of the faith comprise living in harmony with nature and upholding ideals of love, peace, justice, unity, and equality.

The Rastafari movement stands in opposition to the political, cultural, and religious subjugation of individuals. It is a global movement with followers from diverse racial backgrounds, counting an estimated 700,000 to one million practitioners today.

Contrary to common opinion, smoking marijuana is not inherently a part of the Rastafarian religion, although many followers use it as a means to expand their consciousness.

Reggae Icon: Bob Marley

Musician Bob Marley, often regarded as the world's first international superstar from the Global South, helped popularize reggae, a style originating from Rastafari culture, internationally.

Jamaica was the birthplace of reggae music in the 1960s. Its concentration on social justice and Rastafarian spiritual ideas also had a strong resonance with other popular folk music worldwide at the time, such as US-based folk rock. Reggae music drew influences from existing genres including mento, ska, soul, and rocksteady.

Formed in 1963, they launched their career by initially performing ska and dancehall music. Eventually, they transitioned to creating reggae music, and in 1973, they released their album "Catch a Fire" globally.

Covered "I Shot the Sheriff" in 1974, Bob Marley and the Wailers were put firmly in the global spotlight.

Songs of resistance

Bob Marley's music frequently features themes from Rastafarian spirituality, although his lyrics often touch on more than just spiritual topics. He also reflects the everyday challenges faced by marginalized groups, as well as the painful history of slavery and injustice. It's no surprise, therefore, that many of his songs have become synonymous with resistance and the struggle against oppression worldwide.

This song (1957-1986) calls on people to stand up for their rights and trust their own judgment. "Get Up, Stand Up" is considered the unofficial anthem of the NGO Amnesty International.

In the 1979 song "Zimbabwe", Marley appeals to Africans to free Zimbabwe, which was under British colonial control. Marley performed the song live at Zimbabwe's independence celebrations in 1980 and it was adopted as the country's unofficial national anthem.

Marley's legacy: 'Redemption Song'

One of Bob Marley's most admired songs, "Redemption Song," was a sharp change from many of his earlier songs, with many speculating whether he anticipated it to be his last released track before his passing. It could be seen as a farewell message to the world.

The spirit of Marley and his enduring legacy continue to inspire and offer hope to countless individuals globally.

This is an updated version of this article that was initially published in English in February 2024.

Author: Silke Wünsch

London undoubtedly stands out as one of Europe's top destinations for live music. This year, the city will welcome a range of highly anticipated concerts, including both long-awaited reunions and extensive international world tours. These are this year's most eagerly anticipated concerts in London.

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Following a record-breaking number of dates in the US, Sabrina Carpenter's "Short n' Sweet Tour" is now coming to the UK, bringing her latest album to British shores. The highly anticipated "Short n' Sweet Tour" will feature headline performances at the O2 in London at the start of March.

Her 2024 album "Short n' Sweet" achieved great success, with the song 'Espresso' reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart for 6 consecutive non-named weeks.

Following the successful release of her third studio album, "Radical Optimism," in May 2024, Lipa began a global tour, including numerous concerts in Europe, concluding with a series of highly anticipated performances in London. The tour, scheduled to kick off its UK leg in mid-June, saw both London Wembley Stadium shows sell out quickly upon announcement.

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June at Wembley Stadium

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September at Wembley Stadium

The eagerly anticipated Oasis concert comeback is scheduled for London in 2025. Conducted at the well-known Wembley Stadium, these events promise to be a celebration of the band's classic songs and esteemed legacy, marking a remarkable reunion after a long-awaited decade-long break.

The upcoming performance by the Gallagher brothers is expected to include live performances of their well-known hits such as 'Wonderwall' and 'Don't Look Back in Anger' for waiting fans.

September at Wembley Stadium

September 2025. This highly anticipated music event series is expected to deliver the band's signature visual displays, pyrotechnics, and, naturally, their timeless hit anthems that energize the audiences in the arenas.

This will be an opportunity to see Coldplay at their peak with multiple shows scheduled, taking place in one of the most legendary music venues in the world.

July at Wembley Stadium

Lana Del Rey's highly-anticipated 2025 tour will make two stops in London at Wembley in June, marking her first solo performance in years. Fans can expect an enchanting show featuring a mix of iconic hits and songs from her latest album, "The Right Person Will Stay."

Her unique mix of melancholic lyrics, ethereal vocals, and cinematic visual elements will contribute to a memorable experience for everyone attending her Wembley performances.

Occasionally, you may have days when you're feeling down, and all it might take to change your mood is listening to music. For many people, shorter songs are more enjoyable, but have you ever considered the experience of listening to longer songs? Listening to extended songs can be a thrilling experience that never becomes stale. But what is the longest song ever recorded?

The typical length of a song ranges from three to five minutes, although there isn't a specific rule limiting their length. Ultimately, it comes down to the artist's preferences and the audience they are creating music for. Consequently, some artists have taken the liberty to record extended tracks that have ultimately become hits, even landing a spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

The longest song to enter the Billboard Hot 100.

This list of the most extended songs in history was compiled using data from Billboard and Guinness World Records. Our analysis takes into account several factors, including the official length of the songs, their popularity, and the impact they've had on listeners globally. So, which are the longest songs ever recorded?

1. "All Too Well" by Taylor Swift - (10 minutes)

This song is considered one of Swift's most impressive works. It showcases her revisiting and piecing together fragments of memories that linger after a painful breakup.

The song reached the top of the charts in Canada and the United States in 2012, while its "Taylor's Version" re-recording reached number one on the Billboard Global 200 and became the longest pop song to occupy the top position on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, also achieving this top spot on various other country charts.

2. American Pie by Don McLean - (8 minutes)

This is a folk rock song by American singer Don McLean. It was recorded and published in 1971. With a length of 8 minutes and 42 seconds, it was the sixth-longest song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the time of its release.

At that point, it was the longest track to ever top the charts. It held the number one spot for almost five decades, only to be surpassed by a song by Taylor Swift. Many consider it one of the most achieved and widely-discussed songs of the 20th century.

3. New Blue Sun by André 3000 - (12 minute and 20 seconds)

This is the debut single by American rapper André 3000. The song, a jazz piece, focuses on self-discovery. Epic Records released the song on November 17, 2023. It started at No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has a playtime of 12:20 minutes, making it the longest recorded song ever to enter the charts.

4. We Are the World by USA for Africa - (6:22 minutes)

Which showcased it, it returned to the charts.

5. "Hey Jude" by The Beatles - (7 minutes and 11 seconds)

The song was composed by Paul McCartney and published by the Beatles in August 1968. It was a number-one hit in numerous countries worldwide and became the year's top-selling single in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia.

It maintained a nine-week run at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a record that tied the duration held in 1968 for the longest run at the top of the US charts, and this record remained unbroken for nine years.

The song "Pappa Was a Rolling Stone" is performed by the band The Temptations, and its duration is 6 minutes and 53 seconds.

The song was initially recorded by Motown in 1972. Nevertheless, its popularity surged significantly after The Temptations performed it later that same year, going on to win a Grammy.

This new song version achieved the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached sixty-three on the pop charts.

7. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson - (5:15)

It is a song written, recorded, and performed by American singer Michael Jackson, and issued on July 10, 1979, by Epic Records. It was Jackson's second single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

It held the top spot on the Billboard Soul Singles chart for six weeks. The song also gained international success, reaching number one in nine other countries. It is regarded as one of the greatest and most iconic disco songs of all time. The song earned Jackson his first Grammy Award and American Music Awards.

8. "Hotel California" by Eagles - (6:08)

The song, released by the Eagles band in 1977, received the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1978. It holds the title of the longest rock song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs ever, it has been covered by many artists. In terms of commercial success, the song reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and made the top ten on several global music charts.

number 9, Fear Inoculum by Tool - (10:21)

This Is the longest song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was released in August 2019 and lasts for 10 minutes and 21 seconds, a length that seems relatively short, yet is still a remarkable achievement for a song.

10. "Rapture" by Blondie - (6:29)

This is a song by the American rock band Blondie, released in 1980. The song combines elements of new wave, disco, and hip-hop music, featuring a rap segment at the end. It achieved significant commercial success, selling over one million copies in the US and earning a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. The song also reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks.

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by a PC III from the U.S. As recorded in the Guinness World Records, the duo of Kelley and Michael Bostwick broke the previous record by a significant 10 hour margin.

The song—which lasts 13 hours, 23 minutes, and 32 seconds—was released in November 2016 and still maintains the record (at least according to official records).

12. I'd Do Anything for Love- Meat Loaf - (12 minutes)

This is a song by American rock singer Meat Loaf featuring Lorraine Crosby. It was written by Jim Steinman and released inAugust 1993 by MCA.

This song represented the first appearance of Meat Loaf on the Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 charts. For it, Meat Loaf received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Solo Vocal Performance.

Final word

The most extended song ever to reach the Billboard Hot 100 showcases the remarkable power of music, holding listeners' attention for an extended period and defying traditional song length expectations. If you are interested in listening to popular songs that won't overstay their welcome, the list below may meet your requirements.

A recent article on Wander Thoughts.co.ke highlighted the importance of funny walk-up songs in baseball. These songs serve as a unique way for athletes to showcase their personality and interact with spectators. By incorporating humor and enthusiasm, funny walk-up songs can add excitement to the game and make it more engaging for both participants and fans.

These walk-up songs show off the player's personality and unique skills. A lively and energetic song is a must, as its beat has the power to get the player pumped up and grab the audience's attention.