From American Songwriter · Clayton Edwards · · 1m
Johnny Nash's Reggae No. 1 in 1972
Johnny Nash hit No. 1 with reggae in 1972, years before Bob Marley's global fame.
In brief
Johnny Nash hit No. 1 with reggae in 1972, years before Bob Marley's global fame. Johnny Nash's 1972 reggae hit 'I Can See Clearly Now' reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, becoming the first reggae song to top the chart. Originally reported by American Songwriter.
Johnny Nash's 1972 Hot 100 No. 1
Johnny Nash started a four-week run at No. 1 on the Hot 100 with 'I Can See Clearly Now' in 1972.
First Reggae Hot 100 No. 1
It was the first reggae song to reach the top of the chart, a historic milestone for the genre.
Jamaica Connection
Nash partnered with producer Danny Sims to market American singers to Jamaica and signed Bob Marley to JAD Records.
Song in Multiple Films
The song appeared in films including Thelma & Louise and Grosse Pointe Blank, with a Jimmy Cliff cover in Cool Runnings.
The key point
Johnny Nash's 1972 reggae hit 'I Can See Clearly Now' reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, becoming the first reggae song to top the chart.
