Bob Marley and The Wailers’ “Three Little Birds” Achieves Triple Platinum Status in the UK

Historic Achievement

The iconic song “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley and The Wailers has become the first song by the reggae group to achieve triple platinum status in the UK. According to the Official Charts Company, the song has sold over 1.8 million units in the UK, leading to the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarding it a BRIT Certified Platinum 3X award on Friday, September 6.

Certification Milestones

“Three Little Birds” was certified double platinum in December 2021 and platinum in August 2018. The song recently reached a milestone of one billion plays on Spotify, becoming the “One Love” singer’s first song to achieve this feat.

Background and Inspiration

The song was first released on June 3, 1977, and peaked at No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart. It was included in the groundbreaking Exodus album. The birds that flew past Bob’s window at 56 Hope Road in Kingston before his evacuation brought him to the UK in 1976 are credited with inspiring “Three Little Birds”.

Legacy and Impact

In 2020, a brand-new animated music video for the song “Three Little Birds” was released in honor of Marley’s 75th birthday. The recently released images, which show a wolf and a pig becoming close to one another while being watched over by the three little birds that are the subject of the video, have received over 125 million views on YouTube.

Sampling and Usage in Media

“Three Little Birds” has been sampled in several tracks, including 2014’s UK and US No. 1 smash “Rude” by MAGIC!. The song has also been featured in several movies’ soundtracks, including the biography Bob Marley: One Love (2024), Zombieland: Double Tap (2019), Brightburn (2019), Romona and Beezus (2010), Funny People (2009), and I Am Legend (2007).

Other Platinum-Selling Hits

“Three Little Birds” is one of the reggae band’s seven UK platinum-selling hits. Both Could You Be Loved (1980) and Is This Love (1978) have achieved a milestone of over 1.2 million sales and are presently certified double platinum. Four further tracks—No Woman, No Cry (1974), Jammin’ (1977), One Love (1977), and Buffalo Solider (1983)—have achieved Platinum status in the nation, each having sold over 600,000 copies.

Conclusion

“Three Little Birds” is a testament to the enduring legacy of Bob Marley and The Wailers, and their music continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world. This achievement is a milestone in the group’s storied history, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for their music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When was “Three Little Birds” first released?
A: The song was first released on June 3, 1977.

Q: What is the significance of the birds in the song?
A: The birds that flew past Bob’s window at 56 Hope Road in Kingston before his evacuation brought him to the UK in 1976 are credited with inspiring “Three Little Birds”.

Q: How many views has the animated music video received?
A: The recently released images, which show a wolf and a pig becoming close to one another while being watched over by the three little birds that are the subject of the video, have received over 125 million views on YouTube.