Cover Culture : Johnny Osbourne / Earth, Wind & Fire – Reason

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.

JOHNNY OSBOURNE

Johnny Osbourne, one of the most renowned Jamaican reggae and dancehall artists, achieved fame during the late 1970s and into the mid-1980s. He worked closely with Dodd at Studio One from late 1979 to early 1980, resulting in the critically acclaimed album Truths And Rights, a staple of roots reggae. In 1979, he found success with the single Folly Ranking for Prince Jammy, which was followed by an album of the same name in 1980. During the mid-1980s, he made waves in dancehall reggae with tracks like Buddy Bye on the Sleng Teng riddim, along with Ice Cream Love and Water Pumping. Additionally, he gained popularity with renditions of American soul classics, including The Delfonics’ Ready Or Not and Earth, Wind and Fire’s Reasons. The latter, produced by Steely & Clevie, was laid down on the Taxi riddim and issued as a 7″ single in 1989. Additionally, Johnny Osbourne re-recorded the track for Massive B producer Bobby Konders, which was released on 7″ vinyl in 1994.

EARTH, WIND & FIRE

The US soul funk ensemble Earth, Wind & Fire was established in Chicago, Illinois, in 1970 by Maurice White and stands as one of the top-selling bands in history, boasting more than 90 million records sold globally. The group has garnered six Grammy Awards from seventeen nominations and four American Music Awards from twelve nominations. In 1975, they launched their sixth album entitled Gratitude, which included their track Reasons. Although the song gained traction, it did not achieve hit status for the band. Recorded in 1974, the lyrics narrate a tale of a one-night stand, exploring the feelings of disillusionment that follow intimacy. Despite its theme, many regard Reasons as a classic love ballad. The nearly five-minute song features Philip Bailey’s soaring falsetto lead vocals. In addition to Johnny Osbourne, Reasons has seen numerous covers across subsequent decades, with renditions by artists like Maxi Priest, Reel Tight, The Manhattans, Miki Howard, Nelson Rangell, and Omarion.