"Could You Be Loved" is a song by Jamaican reggae band Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was released in 1980 as the first single from their twelfth and last album, Uprising and is also included on their greatest-hits album Legend (1984). The song was very successful on the charts in Europe, peaking within the top 10 in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the UK. Additionally, it was a top 20 hit in Sweden and West Germany.
Composition Written in 1979 on an aeroplane while The Wailers were experimenting on guitar, "Could You Be Loved" has been described as a reggae and disco fusion. In the middle of the song, background singers quote a verse from Bob Marley's first single "Judge Not": "The road of life is rocky; And you may stumble too. So while you point your fingers, someone else is judging you". Instruments used on the original record of this song are guitars, bass, drums, acoustic piano, the Hohner Clavinet and an organ, as well as the Brazilian cuíca.
Impact and legacy American magazine Rolling Stone included "Could You Be Loved" at number 363 in their list of "500 Best Songs of All Time" in 2021.
In 2025, King Charles III partnered with Apple Music to launch a radio show called The King's Music Room to mark Commonwealth Day with a selection of songs that "bring him joy" and "reflects the diversity of the Commonwealth". Could You Be Loved was the first track featured in the program. Additionally, a version of the song performed by the King's Guard band was used in the shows introduction and preceding promotional materials.
Music video On 25 July 2022, the official music video of the song was released on Marley's YouTube channel.
Track listings 7" single "Could You Be Loved" – 3:35 "One Drop" – 3:50
7" single "Could You Be Loved" – 3:35 "No Woman, No Cry (Live '75)" – 3:57
Charts Weekly charts
Chart (1980)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)95France (IFOP)10Italy (Musica e dischi) Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Bob Marley".6Spain (AFYVE)6US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)6US Hot Soul Singles (Billboard)56
YearChart Peakposition1981198419851990Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)1219912024Global 200 (Billboard)1722026Netherlands Airplay (Radiomonitor)50
Year-end charts Chart (1980)PositionBelgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)38Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)23Netherlands (Single Top 100)50Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)18West Germany (Official German Charts)61
Certifications
Joe Cocker version
British singer Joe Cocker covered "Could You Be Loved" on his 1997 album Across from Midnight. The single peaked at number one in Hungary.
Track listings CD single "Could You Be Loved" (Single Version) – 4:35 "Could You Be Loved" (Radio Edit) – 4:18 "The Way Her Love Is" – 2:44
Charts Chart (1997)PeakpositionHungary (Mahasz)1
Cover versions Marley's four eldest children Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers have performed the song numerous times during their tours. Their performance versions appear on the concert DVDs "Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers Live", "Marley Magic: Live in Central Park at Summerstage", "One Love: The Bob Marley All-Star Tribute", and their live album "Live Vol. 1".
References