Legalize It

Peter Tosh

About Legalize It

Legalize It is an album and song by Peter Tosh. Legalize It was Tosh's debut album as a solo artist after leaving the Wailers. It was recorded at Treasure Isle and Randy's, Kingston, Jamaica in 1975 and released in Jamaica in the same year. Legalize It is one of the two solo albums released in 1976 by Wailers members, along with Bunny Wailer's album Blackheart Man. Bob Marley and his new Wailers also released Rastaman Vibration. The song was written in response to his ongoing victimization by the Jamaican police and as a political piece pushing for the legalization of cannabis, particularly for medical use. In 1977, Tosh backed this up by saying "We are the victims of Rasclot circumstances. Victimization, colonialism, gonna lead to bloodbath". Tosh also said "Herb will become like cigarettes", in an NME interview in 1978. 


Year:
1994
4:39
198 
#2

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Legalize it 
Don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah yeah
And I will advertise it

Some call it tamjee
Some call it the weed
Some call it marijuana, daya
Some of them call it ganja

Never mind, got to legalize it 
And don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah yeah
And I will advertise it

Singers smoke it
And players of instrument too
Legalize it, yeah yeah
That's the best thing you can do

Doctors smoke it
Nurses smoke it
Judges smoke it
Even lawyer, too

So you've got to legalize it
And it don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah yeah
And I will advertise it

It's good for the flu
Good for asthma
Good for tuberculosis
Even numara thrombosis

Go to legalize it 
Don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah yeah
And I will advertise it

Birds eat it
Ants love it
Fowls eat it
Goats love to play with it

So you've got to legalize it
And it don't criticize it
Legalize it, yeah yeah
And I will advertise it

Keep on telling you legalize it

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Peter Tosh

Peter Tosh (born Winston Hubert McIntosh, 19 October 1944 – 11 September 1987), was a Jamaican reggae musician who was a core member of the band The Wailers (1963–1974), and who afterwards had a successful solo career as well as being a promoter of Rastafari. more »

3 fans

Written by: PETER TOSH

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Genre Classification
"Legalize It" by Peter Tosh is a Reggae song.
Release and Album Facts
The track was recorded and released in 1976. - "Legalize It" is the title track and the opening track of Peter Tosh's debut solo album.
Song Content and Inspirations
"Legalize It" is known for its strong advocacy for the legalization of cannabis. - Tosh was openly critical of the Jamaican government for banning marijuana, a plant that he considered crucial for his spiritual and personal well-being. - Peter Tosh composed the song as a political piece to express his support for marijuana legalization in his home country, Jamaica.
Song Reception and Influence
Over the years, "Legalize It" has become an anthem for marijuana advocates. - The song, despite or due to its controversial theme, has garnered immense popularity and is one of his most recognizable songs. - "Legalize It" is admired not just for its message, but also for Tosh's songwriting skills, its distinctive reggae rhythm, and musical composition.
Related to Peter Tosh's Life and Work
Peter Tosh, as a member of The Wailers and as a solo artist, played a significant role in promoting Rastafarian beliefs and culture, in which cannabis has a significant role. - The album's cover features Tosh smoking a large spliff (a particularly powerful cannabis cigarette), further equipped with the theme of the song and album.
Subsequent Usage and Covers
The song has been covered by several artists around the world, evidencing its enduring influence and relevance. - "Legalize It" has also been used in various film soundtracks and television series, including hits like the Netflix series "Narcos."
Peter Tosh's Influence
Peter Tosh is considered a pioneering figure in reggae music and his song "Legalize It" is one of his most influential works. - The message of the song continues to resonate with fans and artists, particularly within the reggae genre and amongst proponents of marijuana legalization.

Discuss the Legalize It Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Legalize It Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/1126056/Peter+Tosh/Legalize+It>.

    Missing lyrics by Peter Tosh?

    Know any other songs by Peter Tosh? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Legalize It

    7.6M
    42,276     1,145

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Adele: "So hello from the other side, I must've called a ______ times".
    A hundreds
    B thousands
    C thousand
    D hundred

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Peter Tosh tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Legalize It

    »