Bob Marley’s ‘So Much Trouble in the World’ hits platinum in New Zealand

Decades after its release, the lyrics to Bob Marley and the Wailers’ hit single So Much Trouble in the World remain relevant. The song, which is included on the legendary act’s 1979 album Survival, was recently certified platinum in New Zealand. Marley performed his first and only concert in New Zealand in April 1979 at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, during his Babylon by Bus Tour.

So Much Trouble in the World peaked at number 56 in the United Kingdom, and the powerful commentary on the state of the world, with lyrics that speak to the various problems and conflicts that exist, including poverty, inequality, war, and environmental degradation, remains one of Marley’s most loved songs. Recorded at Marley’s Tuff Gong Studio on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston, So Much Trouble in the World has been covered by Lucinda Williams and Mavis Staples, as well as Grammy-winning reggae band SOJA. The album Survival got as far as #32 on Billboard’s Top Soul LPs chart (known today as the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart) and #70 on Billboard’s Top LPs and Tapes chart (now known as the all-genre Billboard 200 Albums).

It also reached #20 on the UK Albums chart, #17 in Sweden, #10 in Norway, and #32 in Australia. It has been certified gold in Canada, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Over in Spain, it has a platinum certification.