Damian “Jr Gong” Marley’s cover of George Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’ has taken over the #1 spot on the New York Reggae chart. Produced by Marley, the song was released in August via Ghetto Youths International.
‘My Sweet Lord’ was originally given to singer Billy Preston to record. His version was co-produced by Harrison, and it appeared on Preston’s album ‘Encouraging Words’, which was released in September 1970.
In late 1970, Harrison’s version was recorded and included on his album ‘All Things Must Pass’. It became the biggest-selling single of 1971 in the United Kingdom, where it logged several weeks at #1. It also topped charts in 14 other countries including the US.
Harrison’s version of ‘My Sweet Lord’ has been certified platinum in both the US and the UK and 2x platinum in Japan. Other notable covers of the song were recorded by Nina Simone, Edwin Starr, and Johnny Mathis.
Still on the New York Reggae chart, ‘Love Yu Self’ by Khristopher steps up from #9 to #6, while ‘Bad Boy Johnny’ by Tony Roy improves from #25 to #20. This week’s new entries ‘Let My People Go’ by Buju Banton (#27) and ‘Cut Me Open’ by 1Mr Smooth and Yello Stone (#29).
Over to the South Florida Reggae chart, the remake of ‘Don’t Know Much’ by Hopeton Lindo and Novel-T spends a fourth week at #1. Meanwhile, ‘Call Him’ by Kevin Downswell and Bounty Killer rises from #10 to #7, and ‘You Alone’ by Kashief Lindo and Honorebel skips from #15 to #12. ‘Look a Girl’ by Stephen and Chino McGregor debuts at #22.
On the streaming and sales driven Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Bob Marley and the Wailers score 194 non-consecutive weeks in the #1 spot with ‘Legend’. ‘Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection’ by Shaggy remains at #2, while ‘Dutty Classics Collection’ by Sean Paul is #3.
‘No Love’ by Byron Messia is steady at #4, ‘Greatest Hits’ by UB40 is #5, and ‘Wisdom’ by Stick Figure is at #6, with ‘Set in Stone’ at #7. Sean Paul’s ‘Dutty Rock’ is #8 with ‘World on Fire’ by Stick Figure at #9, and ‘R U the World’ by Ruger re-enters at #10.
Elsewhere, ‘Drift’ by Teejay finally makes its debut on a Billboard chart, entering R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay at #47. Byron Messia’s ‘Talibans’ moves up from #24 to #22.
‘Talibans’ continues to make inroads on other Billboard charts. On Rap Airplay, it rises from #13 to #11, while parachuting from #21 to #17 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. On Rhythmic Airplay, ‘Talibans’ inches up from #20 to #19. Anthony B’s collaboration ‘Wind Me Up’ with American inspirational singer Dante Bowe rises to a new peak at #14.
Over on the Rebel Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart, ‘What Ah Joy’ by The Memberz and JUNO Award-winning Exco Levi is still the #1 song. ‘Swept Away’ by Andre Duhaney rises to #2, with ‘Commentary’ by Razor B at #4.
