Three Little Birds is a song by Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Three Little Birds is a song by Bob Marley and the Wailers. It is the fourth track on side two of their 1977 album Exodus and was released as a single in 1980. The song reached the Top 20 in the UK and is one of Marley's most popular songs. It has been covered by numerous other artists and is often thought to be named Don't Worry About a Thing or Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright, because of the prominent and repeated use of these phrases in the chorus. The source of Marley's inspiration for the lyrics of Three Little Birds remains disputed. Some believe Marley was using birds as a metaphor for the way Jamaicans had to grow cannabis. Some believe the lyrics are partly inspired by birds that Marley was fond of that used to fly and sit next to his home. Tony Gilbert, a long time friend of Marley, was present at the time he was writing the song and elaborated, "Bob got inspired by a lot of things around him, he observed life. I remember the three little birds. They were pretty birds, canaries, who would come by the windowsill at Hope Road." However, three female singers from the reggae group I Threes who did shows with Marley claim it is a reference to them.
Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers) were a Jamaican ska band. The founding members, in 1963, were Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. During 1970 and 1971, Wailer, Marley and Tosh worked with renowned reggae producers Leslie Kong and Lee "Scratch" Perry. They released four albums together before signing to Island Records in 1972. Two more albums were created before Tosh and Wailer left the band in 1974, citing grievances over label treatment and ideological differences. Marley carried on with a new line-up, including the above mentioed I-Threes that put out seven more more albums. The Wailers were a groundbreaking group, noted for songs such as Simmer Down, Trenchtown Rock, Nice Time, War, Stir It Up and Get Up, Stand Up.
Robert Nesta Marley (February 1945 – May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, as well as his distinctive vocal and songwriting style. Marley's contributions to music increased the visibilityof Jamaican music worldwide and made him a global figure in popular culture. Over the course of his career, Marley became known as a Rastafari icon, and he infused his music with a sense of spirituality. He is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican music and culture and identity and was controversial in his outspoken support for democratic social reforms. In 1976, Marley survived an assassination attempt in his home, which was thought to be politically motivated. He also supported legalisation of marijuana and advocated for Pan-Africanism.
