Master Blaster Jammin'
A reggae-pop ode to Bob Marley that ruled the R&B charts for seven weeks.
"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is a 1980 song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder, released as the lead single from his nineteenth studio album, *Hotter than July* (1980). It was a major hit, spending seven weeks at number one on the US Billboard R&B singles chart, reaching number five on Billboard's pop singles chart in the fall of 1980 and peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart, number two in Australia (Australian Music Report chart) and number one in New Zealand. Built on a heavy reggae feel, the song is an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley; Wonder had been performing live with Marley (billing him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of that year.
- Artist
- Stevie Wonder
- Album
- Hotter than July
- Release Year
- 1980
- Genre
- Reggae-pop
- Label
- Motown
- Format
- Studio Recording
- Status
- Classic Hit
Lore & Background
The song, built on a heavy reggae feel, is an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley; Wonder had been performing live with Marley (billing him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of that year. Lyrics mention "children of Jah", "Marley's Hot on the box" and the end of the civil war in Zimbabwe. The song has a similar feel to Marley's own song "Jamming," from his 1977 album *Exodus*. *Record World* said that it combines "topical urban street themes with reggae-pop rhythms." The personnel on the track includes Stevie Wonder on vocals, Fender Rhodes, and clavinet; Nathan Watts on bass; Benjamin Bridges on guitar; Dennis Davis on drums; Earl DeRouen on percussion; Isaiah Sanders on organ; Hank Redd on saxophone; Larry Gittens on trumpet; Rick Zunigar on guitar; and background vocals from Angela Winbush, Alexandra Brown Evans, Shirley Brewer, and Marva Holcolm.
In Their Own Story
The song, built on a heavy reggae feel, is an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley; Wonder had been performing live with Marley (billing him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of that year. Lyrics mention "children of Jah", "Marley's Hot on the box" and the end of the civil war in Zimbabwe. The song has a similar feel to Marley's own song "Jamming," from his 1977 album *Exodus*. *Record World* said that it combines "topical urban street themes with reggae-pop rhythms." The personnel on the track includes Stevie Wonder on vocals, Fender Rhodes, and clavinet; Nathan Watts on bass; Benjamin Bridges on guitar; Dennis Davis on drums; Earl DeRouen on percussion; Isaiah Sanders on organ; Hank Redd on saxophone; Larry Gittens on trumpet; Rick Zunigar on guitar; and background vocals from Angela Winbush, Alexandra Brown Evans, Shirley Brewer, and Marva Holcolm.
Reader's Guide
The song, built on a heavy reggae feel, is an ode to reggae legend Bob Marley; Wonder had been performing live with Marley (billing him as an opening act) on his US tour in the fall of that year. Lyrics mention "children of Jah", "Marley's Hot on the box" and the end of the civil war in Zimbabwe. The song has a similar feel to Marley's own song "Jamming," from his 1977 album *Exodus*. *Record World* said that it combines "topical urban street themes with reggae-pop rhythms." The personnel on the track includes Stevie Wonder on vocals, Fender Rhodes, and clavinet; Nathan Watts on bass; Benjamin Bridges on guitar; Dennis Davis on drums; Earl DeRouen on percussion; Isaiah Sanders on organ; Hank Redd on saxophone; Larry Gittens on trumpet; Rick Zunigar on guitar; and background vocals from Angela Winbush, Alexandra Brown Evans, Shirley Brewer, and Marva Holcolm.
Did You Know?
- The song spent seven weeks at number one on the US Billboard R&B singles chart.
- It peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and number one in New Zealand.
- The lyrics reference the end of the civil war in Zimbabwe.
- Record World described it as combining 'topical urban street themes with reggae-pop rhythms.'
- The song has a similar feel to Bob Marley's own song 'Jamming' from his 1977 album Exodus.
More in Songs & Lyrics
Elsewhere in the Stevie Wonder universe
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