Is This Love (Bob Marley and the Wailers song)

Summary

"Is This Love" is a song by Bob Marley and the Wailers, released on their 1978 album Kaya. The song became one of the best-known Marley songs and was part of the Legend compilation. It peaked at number 9 in the UK charts upon its release in 1978. A live rendition of the song can be found on the Babylon by Bus live album from Paris in 1978.

"Is This Love"
Artwork for UK and Italian releases
Single by Bob Marley and the Wailers
from the album Kaya
Released1978
GenreReggae
Length3:52
LabelTuff Gong, Island
Songwriter(s)Bob Marley
Bob Marley and the Wailers singles chronology
"Rastaman Live Up"
(1978)
"Is This Love"
(1978)
"Blackman Redemption"
(1978)
Music video
"Is This Love" on YouTube
Bob Marley's bed in Nine Mile, Jamaica, which was the inspiration for the lyric "We'll share the shelter of my single bed" in the song "Is This Love"

Music video edit

A music video was also produced, shot at the Keskidee Arts Centre in London; in the video, future supermodel Naomi Campbell, then seven years old, made her first appearance in the public eye.[1][2][3][4]

Lvndscape and Bolier remix edit

"Is This Love"
 
Single by Bob Marley featuring Lvndscape and Bolier
Released10 June 2016[5]
GenreTropical house
Length3:20
LabelSpinnin' Records
Songwriter(s)Bob Marley
Bob Marley singles chronology
"Stand Up Jamrock"
(2005)
"Is This Love"
(2016)
Lvndscape singles chronology
"Fed Up"
(2016)
"Is This Love"
(2016)
"Everyday My Life"
(2016)
Bolier singles chronology
"Sweet Love (Calling Out Your Name)"
(2016)
"Is This Love"
(2016)
"Ipanema"
(2016)
Music video
"Is This Love" (Remix) on YouTube

In June 2016, the song was remixed by Dutch electronic music collaborators Lvndscape and Bolier, and the remix version reached #16 single in the UK.[6] The music video was released via Spinnin' Records YouTube channel on 17 June 2016.[7]

Notable covers edit

The following artists have covered the song:

Live covers edit

In popular culture edit


Charts edit

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[23] Gold 30,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[24] Gold 45,000
Germany (BVMI)[25] Gold 250,000
Italy (FIMI)[26] Platinum 50,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)[27] 5× Platinum 150,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[28] Platinum 60,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[29] Platinum 600,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[30]
Remix
Gold 400,000

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "The Keskidee - a community that discovered itself", Islington Local History Centre, 2009.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Peter Gruner, "Green plaque honours Keskidee arts centre where Naomi Campbell met Bob Marley", Camden New Journal, 25 March 2011". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  3. ^ "Pavan Amara and Andrew Johnson, "Fire rips through pioneering black arts venue where Bob Marley shot Is This Love video", Islington Tribune, 9 March 2012". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2013-03-19.
  4. ^ Mark Blunden, "Honour for arts centre where Bob Marley danced with Naomi Campbell, 7", Evening Standard, 21 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Bob Marley feat. LVNDSCAPE & Bolier - Is This Love". T.H.E - Music Essentials. 2016-06-13. Retrieved 2021-11-22.
  6. ^ "is+this+love+(remix) - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  7. ^ "New Music: "Is This Love" Remix ft. LVNDSCAPE & Boiler". Bob Marley. 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2021-11-24.
  8. ^ "Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad (Live)". iTunes Store (AU). Apple. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  9. ^ Rubenstein, Jenna Hally (2012-08-23). "Adam Lambert Covers Bob Marley's 'Is This Love,' And DUH It's Incredible (Video)". Retrieved 2012-09-19.
  10. ^ a b "Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Imgur.com.
  11. ^ "Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  12. ^ "Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  13. ^ "Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love". VG-lista. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  15. ^ "Bob Marley and the Wailers: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 July 2016.
  16. ^ "Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  17. ^ "ARIA CHART WATCH #389". auspOp. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  19. ^ "Bob Marley feat. LVNDSCAPE + Bolier – Is This Love" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  20. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  21. ^ "Bob Marley feat. LVNDSCAPE + Bolier – Is This Love". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  22. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  23. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Bob Marley – Is This Love" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  24. ^ "Danish single certifications – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  25. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Bob Marley; 'Is This Love')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  26. ^ "Italian single certifications – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  27. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Bob Marley - Is This Love". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  29. ^ "British single certifications – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Is This Love". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  30. ^ "British single certifications – Bob Marley Ft Lvndscape/Bolier – Is This Love (Remix)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 April 2022.