Cover Culture: Marcia Griffiths / Freda Payne – Band Of Gold

COVER VERSION VS ORIGINAL SONG

Since the early 1960s and even prior, numerous iconic Jamaican hits were derived from popular foreign songs. The original pop and soul tracks were frequently embraced by audiences on the island, leading reggae artists to create their own renditions. Some of these artists gained fame by covering chart-topping songs, turning these adaptations into timeless classics. For instance, American artist Bill Withers recorded the Grammy-winning song Ain’t No Sunshine, which Horace Andy later adapted, while Dennis Brown’s rendition of Black Magic Woman originally came from Fleetwood Mac. These two examples represent just a small fraction of the many covers that have emerged over the past sixty-five years. Since the advent of these adaptations, both Jamaican and international reggae musicians have persistently reimagined pop and soul hits, continuing this tradition into the present. You’re welcome to listen to both the original and the cover versions to determine which one resonates with you the most.

MARCIA GRIFFITHS

Marcia Griffiths’ professional career started back in 1964, but her real breakthrough came soon after at Studio One, where Coxsone Dodd helped shape her sound and where she scored her first big hit, Feel Like Jumping. This song was written by Bob Andy. From 1970 to 1974, Marcia and Bob Andy took things further as a duo on the Harry J label. Then came another major chapter in her career. Between 1974 and 1981, Marcia Griffiths became one-third of the I Threes, alongside Judy Mowatt and Rita Marley. As part of Bob Marley’s core vocal team, she helped define the sound of his live shows and recordings during that legendary period. And through all of this, Marcia never stopped recording solo. One of her recordings was a cover of Band Of Gold, originally sung by Freda Payne. Harry J released Marcia’s take in Jamaica and the UK on his own label in 1970.

FREDA PAYNE

Band Of Gold came from the legendary Holland–Dozier–Holland team, the same minds behind countless Motown classics. But at the time, they were locked in a legal battle with Motown. Because of that situation, they used the names Edythe Wayne and Ron Dunbar when the song was released. When the song was first offered to Freda Payne, she wasn’t convinced. She was close to 30 and felt the story sounded more like something a teenage girl or young woman would sing. It took a fair amount of encouragement from Ron Dunbar before she finally agreed to record it. That decision paid off instantly. Released on the Invictus label, Band Of Gold became a massive hit almost overnight. It climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, went Gold, and then took over the UK, sitting at No. 1 for six straight weeks. What started as hesitation turned into one of the biggest pop records of its time.