Bob Marley & The Wailers, Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 51^st edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)” by Bob Marley & The Wailers. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 51^st edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)”, performed by Bob Marley & The Wailers.

“Them belly full, but we hungry / A hungry mob is a angry mob.” The late, great reggae icon Bob Marley nails it in “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)”. If you are hungry, lacking the nourishment, needs, and sustenance in life, you’ll be angry and do drastic things. Let the uprising begin! Bob Marley & The Wailers are renowned for the socially conscious elements of their music. “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry),” which appears as the third track from their 1974 album, Natty Dread, is a prime example of social consciousness in full effect.  Early on, in this minor-key, reggae gem, the connotation is negative, with the poor getting the short end of the stick.  But, believe it or not, Marley doesn’t dwell in the negative. There is positive to be experienced!

“You’re going to dance to Jah music, dance / We’re going to dance to Jah music, dance.” Who is Jah? Jah in the Rastafari religion is God.  Bob Marley & The Wailers move beyond wallowing in their hunger and insufficient needs and embrace spirituality.  “Forget your troubles and dance / Forget your sorrows and dance,” Marley sings, continuing, “Forget your sickness and dance / Forget your weakness and dance.” Easier said than done, right? Right, particularly if you are a person with weak faith.  Ultimately, with Jah, despite adverse conditions, the poor folks are stronger.  Think about it, and the idea isn’t far-fetched from Christianity as well as other religions. Even though “A pot-a-cook, but the food na nuff,” the “dance to Jah music” is happening on the fabulous reggae classic, “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)”.

Bob Marley & The Wailers // Natty Dread // Universal Music // 1974

Bob Marley & The Wailers, Them Belly Full (But We Hungry): Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 51 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Universal Music; OpenClipart-Vectors, Speedy McVroom via  Pixabay]