Anatomy of a Song

The Song That Put Reggae on The Map

Updated Feb. 14, 2013 7:43 p.m. ET

When the movie "The Harder They Come" opened in New York 40 years ago this month, its impact wasn't immediately felt in the U.S. The theme song and soundtrack, however, were a different story. The album featured a compilation of singles by reggae artists as well as a catchy title song by the movie's star—singer Jimmy Cliff. The song was quick to popularize the new Jamaican music style, giving Mr. Cliff international visibility. The film, meanwhile, became an art-house hit in college towns and big cities, exposing a...

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