Punk and reggae go together like fish n chips, Sid n Nancy, Sly n Robbie. And Bob Marley, who died on this day 37 years ago made the ultimate 1977 blended party record, Punky Reggae Party.
The link between the two musical styles is said to come from the early punk gigs at The Roxy. Influential DJ, and later manager and film maker, Don Letts would spin reggae and dub records between the bands. At that time, there were no punk records, so bands such as The Clash, Sex Pistols and The Slits became firm fans of reggae for the dance potential as well as the rebel cause.
The Clash recorded a version of Junior Murvin’s song ‘Police and Thieves’ on their 1977 debut album. Initially, the reggae music community, including producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry considered that the punk band had ‘ruined’ the song. But this feeling was short-lived; both Letts and Perry worked with The Clash, and Bob Marley is supposed to have written Punky Reggae Party as a response to The Clash. The song was released as a 12-inch single in Jamaica and later as the b-side to the 7-inch of ‘Jamming’
The lyrics themselves have the carefree punk attitude, along with an understanding of ‘New Wave, New Craze’. Punk bands The Jam, The Damned and the Clash are named and, best line of all ‘No boring old farts will be there’
Let me tell you
We’re going to the party
And I hope you are hearty
So please don’t be naughty
For it’s a punky reggae partyNew wave, new craze….
Tell you what!
It take a joyful sound
To make a world go around
Come with your heart and soul
Come on come and rock your boat
Because it’s a punky reggae party
And it’s tonight
It’s a punky reggae party
And it’s alright
Oh no
Rejected by society
Treated with impunity
Protected by my dignity
I search for realityWailers will be there
The Jam, The Dammed, The Clash
Maytals will be there
Dr. Feelgood too, oohNo boring old farts
No boring old farts
No boring old farts will be there
No boring old farts
No boring old farts
No boring old farts will be thereWell, it’s the punky reggae party
And it’s tonight Punky reggae party
And it’s alright
Oh ah!
A tip from a gypsy (Heh!)
She said “Man you getting tipsy”
Hiding from reality
In your world of Hypocrisy
In your world of Hypocrisy
In your world of Hypocrisy
In your world of Hypocrisy
In your world of Hypocrisy
Oh let me tell you
A bubble, a bubble, a bubble, a bubble, a bubble, we a bubble and
We aren’t looking for no trouble
So if you trouble
We give it to you double
Everybody!
Bounce! Bounce!Hey!
It take a joyful sound
And make the world, make the world go around!
It take a joyful sound
Come to rock your boat
It’s a punky reggae party
And it’s tonight
Punky reggae party
And it’s alright
Groove, groove, groove!
So, here’s to Bob Marley, the whole world of reggae music and most of all the punky/reggae crossover!
Reblogged this on Commander Cookie Wolf and commented:
I always wondered about that…