Guava Jelly (song)
"Guava Jelly" is a song recorded by the Jamaican group Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was released as a 7" vinyl single through Tuff Gong and Green Door Records. It was issued commercially with B-side track "Redder Then Red", which was misspelled on its initial printing, in 1971. It was written and produced by Marley and features uncredited lyrical contributions from Bunny Livingston. A reggae composition like the majority of Marley's works, "Guava Jelly" contains a rocksteady and island-like production with lyrics loosely based around sexual intercourse. His use of the term "guava jelly" was likely referring to a specific type of sexual lubricant. It was favorably viewed by several reviewers, with many of them finding the composition to be sexual and about love. The group placed "Guava Jelly" on several compilation albums, including Africa Unite: The Singles Collection in 2005, and Owen Gray and Herbie Mann created their own versions in 1974 and 1975, respectively.
"Guava Jelly"
American artists Johnny Nash and Barbra Streisand also recorded "Guava Jelly" and released their versions as commercial singles in 1972 and 1974, respectively. Nash's version was featured on his eleventh studio album, I Can See Clearly Now (1972), and was distributed in the 7" format in Jamaica and South Africa as the record's fourth and final single. Rita Marley, Bob's wife, was upset that Nash had recorded it since he might be credited for the single's success and not Marley. Streisand's rendition was included on her sixteenth studio album, ButterFly (1974), and released as the record's lead single on 16 December 1974. It divided music critics in the way that several thought her voice was not suited for reggae music. In 1991 the singer would appear on Larry King Live and admit her disappointment in ButterFly and the songs that appeared on it.
Reception[edit]
Writer John Masouri found that "Guava Jelly" was one of Marley's most commercial recordings from 1971, and used Nash and Streisand's admiration as evidence.[3] Agreeing, Chris Salewciz (who wrote a biography about Marley in 2014) described the composition as "sexy".[8] Jo-Anne Greene from AllMusic described the composition as a "rich, romantic piece" and enjoyed Marley's "fiery, sexy performance". She later noticed its impact in the music industry by writing: "'Jelly' quivered its way across the sound systems and beyond. In later years Jelly would be covered time and again by some of the biggest names in the music business."[9]
Promotion and later versions[edit]
The single has been featured on several of the group's compilation albums and greatest hits albums. Marley first included "Guava Jelly" on his four-disc box set, titled Songs of Freedom (1992). Alongside its appearance, the succeeding track is a medley of several songs: "Guava Jelly", "This Train", "Cornerstone", "Comma Comma", "Dewdrops", "Stir It Up", and "L'M".[10] 1999's The Complete Bob Marley & the Wailers 1967-1972, Part 3 album also features the single and the previously unreleased demo titled "Guava".[11] Grooving Kingston 12 (2004) and Africa Unite: The Singles Collection (2005) include "Guava Jelly" as well.[12][13]
"Guava Jelly" was licensed to several other singers after its initial release in 1971.[14] Jamaican singer Owen Gray recorded "Guava Jelly" but added his own "modern reggae" touch to it.[15] He released it as a promotional single in 1974 through Island Records with B-side track "Please Don't Let Me Go", which he wrote and produced himself.[16] Flautist Herbie Mann's 1975 album Discothèque featured an instrumental version of "Guava Jelly".[17]
"Guava Jelly"
- "The Fish & the Alley of Destruction"
- "Ooh Baby You've Been Good to Me"
23 February 1973
1972
Reggae
3:16
- Bob Marley
- Bunny Livingston
Johnny Nash
- "Love in the Afternoon"
- "Life on Mars"
- "Amor al Atardecer"
16 December 1974
1974
Reggae[34]
2:55
- Bob Marley
- Bunny Livingston