#49 Exodus by Bob Marley and the Wailers

The 100 Greatest Albums of All Time

2025 Album Rank

49

2011 Album Rank

77

Total Points

1113.5

Year Released

1977

Billboard 200 Chart Peak

20

Weeks at #1

N/A

RIAA Sales Certification

500,000 (Gold)

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Exodus Album Details

Released on June 3, 1977, Exodus stands as a pivotal album in Bob Marley's career it is musically expansive, politically resonant, and spiritually profound. Written and recorded primarily in London after Marley survived an assassination attempt in Jamaica, the album reflects both exile and evolution. With Side A steeped in social commentary and revolution, and Side B turning toward themes of love and redemption, Exodus embodies Marley's dual role as prophet and pop star.

The music marks a stylistic shift from the heavier roots reggae of Rastaman Vibration to a smoother, more internationally palatable sound. Tracks like Jamming, Three Little Birds, and the title song blend spiritual resolve with irresistible groove. Its lasting impact is immense, not only Marley's best-selling album, but also a cultural and political touchstone for generations.

Other Bob Marley albums on the chart: Legend.

Interesting Facts about Exodus

• The title track, Exodus, was recorded in multiple versions. Some alternate takes run longer with extended instrumental passages and dub-heavy mixes, a few of which surfaced on Jamaican pressings and deluxe reissues.
• Marley reportedly wrote much of the album while recovering from gunshot wounds after the December 1976 assassination attempt, which he survived despite being shot in the arm and chest. He fled Jamaica two days later.
• The Wailers' rhythm section, Aston "Family Man" Barrett and Carlton Barrett, gave the album its signature bounce, often recording rhythm tracks live in the studio with few overdubs.
• Several early mixes of Waiting in Vain reveal more stripped-back arrangements and alternate vocal takes. An acoustic demo version with different lyrics also circulates among collectors.
• Turn Your Lights Down Low was the only love song on the album and was later re-released in 1999 as a duet with Lauryn Hill, charting internationally.
• One Love/People Get Ready is a reworking of a 1965 Wailers single. The addition of Curtis Mayfield's lyrics ("People Get Ready") led to co-writing credit and is one of Marley's most anthemic songs.
• The original album closes with three tracks Three Little Birds, One Love/People Get Ready, and Jamming that became global hits, showcasing Marley's knack for pairing spiritual uplift with pop sensibility.
• The 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (2017) includes an alternate "Miami mix" of the album by Bob's son Ziggy Marley, offering a cleaner, more contemporary interpretation of the original recordings.
• Live versions of songs from Exodus were staples in Marley's 1977-1980 tours, especially Jamming and Exodus, often extended into lengthy improvisations during concerts.
• Exodus was named Album of the Century by Time magazine in 1999, a recognition of its wide-reaching cultural significance and enduring popularity.
• Many tracks were influenced by Rastafarian philosophy, and the album title alludes not only to the biblical story but to Marley's vision of spiritual and political liberation.
• In a rare vinyl misprint, early pressings in some regions listed "Exhodus" on the label, a collector's item today.
• The album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006 for its cultural and historical significance.

Exodus Tracklist

1. Natural Mystic
2. So Much Things to Say
3. Guiltiness
4. The Heathen
5. Exodus
6. Jamming
7. Waiting In Vain
8. Turn Your Lights Down Low
9. Three Little Birds
10. One Love / People Get Ready

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