Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to t… Read Full Bio ↴Bob Marley and the Wailers (previously known as The Wailers, and prior to that The Wailing Rudeboys, The Wailing Wailers and The Teenagers) were a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae band. The founding members, in 1963, were Bob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley), Peter Tosh (Hubert Winston McIntosh), and Bunny Wailer (Neville Livingston).

During 1970 and 1971, Wailer, Marley and Tosh worked with renowned reggae producers Leslie Kong and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

They released four albums 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 I-Threes that put out seven more more albums. Marley died in 1981.

The Wailers were a groundbreaking ska and reggae group, noted for songs such as "Simmer Down", "Trenchtown Rock", "Nice Time", "War", "Stir It Up" and "Get Up, Stand Up".

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley_and_the_Wailers

Studio albums
The Wailing Wailers (1965)
The Best of the Wailers (1970; released 1971)
Soul Rebels (1970)
Soul Revolution Part II (1971)
Catch a Fire (1973)
Burnin' (1973)
Natty Dread (1974)
Rastaman Vibration (1976)
Exodus (1977)
Kaya (1978)
Survival (1979)
Uprising (1980)
Confrontation (1983)

Reaction
Bob Marley & The Wailers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Talking 'bout reaction yeah yeah yeah
Talking 'bout attraction yeah yeah yea
Said I'm gonna rock on you yeah yeah

From shanti town yeah yeah yeah

Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah

To have a little action yeah yeah yeah
There's a reaction yeah yeah yeah
You don't don't don't get that soul no no no
You don't get that soul no no no

To every little action yeah yeah yeah
There's a reaction yeah yeah yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Reaction" by Bob Marley & The Wailers talk about the idea of cause and effect, action and reaction, attraction and reaction in life. The song suggests that there is always a consequence or result for every action taken by a person, and these consequences could be positive or negative. The first verse talks about the attraction between two individuals and the possibility of one person "rocking" the other person. The second verse highlights the need to take action and the inevitable reaction that follows. The repetition of "yeah yeah yeah" adds to the excitement and urgency of the message being conveyed, making the song feel upbeat and energetic.

From a broader perspective, the lyrics of "Reaction" can also be interpreted as a social commentary on the events that were happening during the time the song was released. Bob Marley was a political activist and his music often mirrored the struggles and injustices faced by the oppressed. By talking about the idea of action and reaction, the song may be suggesting that change can only happen when people take action and that there will always be a reaction from the powers that be.

Line by Line Meaning

Talking 'bout reaction yeah yeah yeah
We're discussing the outcome of actions and their effects

Talking 'bout attraction yeah yeah yea
We're discussing the pull towards another person or thing

Said I'm gonna rock on you yeah yeah
I am going to stimulate or please you

From shanti town yeah yeah yeah
Originating from a town of peace and harmony

Yeah yeah yeah
An exclamation of excitement

To have a little action yeah yeah yeah
To enjoy or participate in exciting activities

There's a reaction yeah yeah yeah
Those actions will lead to a response or consequence

You don't don't don't get that soul no no no
If you don't participate or aren't involved, you won't get that passionate feeling

You don't get that soul no no no
If you don't participate or aren't involved, you won't get that passionate feeling

To every little action yeah yeah yeah
Each and every little movement will have a reaction or consequence

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Marley

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind