quite simply, reggae is a soulful Carribean form of rock'n'roll. Inspired by American soul, ska,
calypso and other Carribean music styles, reggae is usually in a laid back arrangement, relaxed and based on guitars. Reggae was invented in Jamaica but there are other performers in other countries that perform reggae. Many bands in various other rock styles have written reggae-influenced songs. Many reggae songs have scored international success over the past 25 years or so. Reggae is usually about island life, celebrating life in spite of poverty and oppression, sunshine, peace,
racial equality, sometimes "ganja" and sometimes
Rastafari.
Example:
Some world-wide reggae hits:
"
Tomorrow People" - Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers
"Can You Be Loved" - Bob Marley and the Wailers
"Bad Boys (Theme from COPS)" - Inner Circle
"Red Red Wine" - UB40
"Pass the Dutchie" - Musical Youth
"Smoke Two Joints" - the Togues (sp?)
"Electric Avenue" - Eddy Grant
and some reggae and reggae-inspired hits from artists in other genres:
"I Shot the Sheriff" - Eric Clapton
"Down Under" - Men at Work
"Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" - Culture Club
"
The Tide is High" - Blondie
"Bobo Tempo" - Huey Lewis and the News
"Heart" -
Nick Lowe
and many others, too numerous to list here.