What are the best "white" reggae songs?

Reggae was especially huge in the punk era, so there are quite a bit of reggae songs done by pale faced musicians.
What do you consider the best reggae songs done by none-Jamaicans?

My vote goes to Elvis Costello's 'Watching The Detectives'.
Runner-up is 'The Bed's Too Big Without You' by The Police.

 

"Watching The Detectives" never sounded 'reggae' to me, but what do I know...

"Dy'er Mak'er," Led Zep. And some of the Clash's and Police's stuff, natch.

 

I think we would have to include UB40 in this group. Everything they have done is reggae, and the group is mostly white British males.

Other than that I would probably vote for the Police (various songs), or the Clash "Police and Thieves" (which is a Junior Murvin tune) or "Armagideon Time" (another classic roots reggae tune done by English punks). Maybe a song like "Bankrobber" (written by Strummer/Jones) fits the bill a little better?

Nowadays, though, there are many Americans creating reggae (dub reggae mostly) while sitting in a homemade studio using mostly electronics, etc. (as opposed to real live musicians). The thing is some of that dub reggae is quite good (although I still prefer the old style Roots Reggae/Dub).

 

Informer - Snow.

 

the Police for sure....if you want white (and blonde hair to boot)

now that is white.

 

Matisyahu.

Some of the best reggae I've heard in years. Check it out.

http://www.matismusic.com/

 

Yes - I have the newest live album. The lead singer is a Hassidic Jew to boot!

 

Washington Bullets...the Clash

 

Laidback - Sunshine Reggae

 

"Fools In Love" Joe Jackson

"White Man in Hamersmith Palais" and/or "Armageddeon Time" The Clash.

"Haitian Divorce" Steely Dan

 

I was going to mention this one! The band is from Copenhagen -- a friend of mine met them there in the early '80s. If I may say so, the music and lyrics are both so simple-minded that they make me laugh. Their Scandinavian accents are just the icing on the cake: "Let the goot vipes / Get a lot stronger... "

 

"C-Moon" anyone?

 

"She Took Off My Romeos" by David Lindley from the "El Rayo-Ex" album.

 

Follow Your Daughter Home: Guess Who

 

The rhythm section is definitely and purposely a reggae beat and the organ (to my ears) is reggae influenced as well. The vocals on the other hand, which is probably the predominant feature to most listeners' ears, is another story (although EC's vocal delivery is much better than if he had sung with a fake Jamaican accent - take note Barenaked Ladies).

 

"Too Rude" - Keith Richards

 

That reminds me of another obscurity... Tim Curry's reggae cover of the Beatles' "I Will", complete with fake Jamaican accent! On his Read My Lips album, now sadly long out of print, but a fave of my buds' and mine back in high school.

 

Any reggae song with Peps Person (swedish reggae and blues artist) and "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?" by Culture Club.

 

And "The Harder They Come" from his solo 45. I'm also partial to "I Got A Letter", a very reggae Keith outtake.

 

Nobody mentioned 'Dreadlock Holiday' or 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da'!

 

UB40: has done MANY albums full of great reggae music.
Blue Riddim Band: Many great tunes, my fave; "My name is Nancy Reagan...." (title?)

Willie Nelson recently released a reggae cd that is pretty decent, but has already been one-upped in the "Reggae album from an seemingly unlikely artist" category, as Sinead O'connor has just put out an all reggae release, that at least some in the reggae community are very impressed by.

 

Well, she's part white, but Yvonne Elliman did "I'm Gonna Use What I Got To Get What I Need", from this album:


Madness did their share of ska. Bad Manners did "My Girl Lollipop", a twist on Millie Smalls' "My Boy Lollipop".


Or how about Annette Funicello's "Jamaica Ska" from the infamous Back To The Beach film, backed by Fishbone?

 

Anything by Yellowman

hehe

 

The Clash - (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais & of course Bank Robber

The Ruts - Babylon's Burning

John Cale - Graham Greene

The Cale track is very dodgy 'LA sessionman white reggae' but it is a great song.