All-Time Classics: The Best Reggae Songs About Money & Gambling
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Originating in Jamaica in the 1960s, reggae music is known for its distinctive rhythm. It is a genre of music that has remained popular throughout history and is enjoyed by people from all over the world. It is also a form of music often appreciated by fans of different genres, which speaks to its rhythmic appeal. It is not just the infectious groove that makes reggae so appealing, though, as the lyrical content often addresses social and political issues allowing people to resonate with the music. Money and gambling are common themes in reggae – here are a few classics with lyrics about these themes.
No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley
Few reggae songs are as famous as No Woman No Cry by the legendary artist Bob Marley. It is a song that is synonymous with the genre and one that people always enjoy singing along to. Still, the lyrical content has dark undertones speaking about the difficulty of living in poverty. In the song, Marley speaks about the Government Yards in Trenchtown, a ghetto of Kingston, Jamaica.
Rich Girl – Barrington Levy
Barrington Levy is an iconic reggae and dancehall artist active since the late 70s, and his 1983 song Rich Girl is one of his most loved songs. In the song, a man falls in love with a much richer woman than him, and it describes the social barriers that money can create in society and how these can be challenging to overcome even with love.
Johnny Too Bad – The Slickers
The Slickers released Johnny Too Bad in 1971, but it is still a song that you will often hear today (often the cover by UB40). The song has an infectious groove, but the lyrical content tells a dark tale of a man that tries to escape poverty through crime and gambling. Gambling is often a lyrical theme in music because of the excitement and potentially life-changing ability it can offer. You do not have to bet your life savings to get this sense of excitement, though, and many people enjoy playing live online blackjack and other dealer games. Blackjack is one of the easier casino games to learn but still one that can provide a real thrill. There are many different blackjack games to choose from, and you can play the games on your phone, tablet, laptop, or another device.
Money Worries – The Maytones
Money Worries by The Maytons was released in 1976 but could be released today and is still relevant. Money is often the biggest cause of stress in a person’s life, especially in times like these when the cost of living is increasing. Money Worries talks of the financial concerns that “trouble me night and day,” and it is a song that will resonate with many people.
As you can see, money and gambling are major themes in the reggae genre. People tend to associate this genre with the rhythm and groove. Still, the lyrical content is just as engaging and covers many socio and political issues, which could be why the music resonates with so many people.
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