Natural Mystic

For the compilation album, see Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On.
"Natural Mystic"
Song by Bob Marley and the Wailers
from the album Exodus
Released3 June 1977
GenreReggae
Songwriter(s)Bob Marley
Producer(s)Bob Marley and the Wailers

"Natural Mystic" is a song by the Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Recording

The track starts with a slow fade in.[1] According to Lee "Scratch" Perry: "We made the first track for 'Natural Mystic' on a drum machine." He continues to state: "I added the machine pop drum, which give it that popping sound. Then he did it over again with Carly and it sounded good. On my version we had a horn section which sounded good to me."[2]

Reception

In a review of the song on AllMusic, Thomas Ward stated that it "has an almost hymnal quality to it" and that "everything about the song is ethereal and inspired" while going on to say that "Although the lyrics are vague, they’re no less effective than, say, Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" and “Natural Mystic” has become one of Bob Marley’s signature songs, and one of his greatest artistic achievements."[3] Music critic Greil Marcus called it the best song on the Exodus album.[4] In a review of "Natural Mystic" for NME Magazine, Gavin Martin states: "the mellow but matured, angry but assured international figurehead of ‘Natural Mystic’ (subtitle — ‘The Legend Lives On’) is a throwback to an early, more innocent era."[5]

According to Bob Marley's band's bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett: "That’s why it still stands up today, because it’s outstanding."[6]

Release

The track is included on the compilation albums Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On[7] and The Essential Bob Marley & the Wailers.[8]

Certifications

Certifications for "Natural Mystic"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[9] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Taylor, Angus. "Bob Marley and the Wailers Exodus: 30th Anniversary Edition Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  2. ^ Goldman 2006, p. 210.
  3. ^ "Natural Mystic - Bob Marley & the Wailers: Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  4. ^ "Exodus – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. 1977-07-14. Archived from the original on 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  5. ^ Martin, Gavin (3 June 1995). "Long Play". NME. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  6. ^ Sullivan, Denise (2012-05-07). "Natural Mystic". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  7. ^ "Bob Marley – Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On". AllMusic. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  8. ^ "The Essential Bob Marley and the Wailers". AllMusic. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  9. ^ "British single certifications – Bob Marley and the Wailers – Natural Mystic". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 4, 2025.

Sources