Classic pop songs of all time (an occasional series)

 . . . .and just look at what this song started! Extraordinary links to Bob Marley and whilst I always loved Johnny Nash's voice the history of this song is really worthy of note for it's impact alone

On this day in music history: November 4, 1972 - “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 4 weeks, also topping the Adult Contemporary chart for 4 weeks on the same date. Written and produced by Johnny Nash, it is the biggest hit for the Houston, TX based R&B and pop singer. Following his success with the top five hit “Hold Me Tight” recorded with musicians in Jamaica in 1968, Nash moves to London in 1971 where he signs with CBS Records. While in London, Nash meets a young Jamaican singer/songwriter named Bob Marley. Johnny Nash records Marley’s songs “Stir It Up” and “Guava Jelly”, earning Marley the income necessary to start his own record label Tuff Gong Records in Jamaica. Nash records “I Can See Clearly Now” in Jamaica with members of Bob Marley’s band The Wailers in 1972. Entering the Hot 100 at #84 on September 9, 1972, it climbs to the top the chart eight weeks later. “I Can See Clearly Now” is covered numerous times over the years, most notably by reggae star Jimmy Cliff who records a version of it for the 1993 film “Cool Runnings”, whose version peaks at #18 on the Hot 100. “I Can See Clearly Now” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

thanks to Jeff Harris' blog Behind The Grooves