During the 60's and early 70's, the Wailers did renditions of several other artists. They also recorded their own cuts of traditional songs or church gospels which were therefore not renditions of a released song by a specific artist, like: "I left my sins", "Just in time", "Wings of a dove", "Shame and scandal", "Go tell it on the mountain", "Nobody knows", "This train", "The lord will make a way somehow" and "Sinner man" among others.

"Let the lord be seen in you" is a very odd rendition of a gospel track originally written and recorded by Alex Bradford, released in Jamaica around 1965. The flipside of the record is "White christmas", an Irving Berlin song, the most famous version being Bing Crosby's cut. The Wailers were reluctant but finally accepted to record it after Coxsone Dodd heard a version by the Drifters and suggested that they record it. And of course, the lyrics were modified to make sense. It must be said that Dodd made them record quite a number of strange covers, even when they were reluctant. They have probably recorded "Just in time" and "I left my sins" at the same time they recorded "Let the lord be seen in you" as they are all on Alex Bradford's "One step" LP from 1962. And tracks like "I left my sins", "Somewhere to lay my head" (would the Wailers cut be a rendition?), "Go tell it on the mountain", "White Christmas" appear on several Vee Jay gospel LPs from 1963, this is maybe where they heard them for the first time.

They also recorded a song called "Dance with me" in 1964, based on the Drifters' smash "On Broadway" (also covered by the Platters who had a hit with it) as it partly used the same melody. The Wailers "Dance with me" should not be mistaken with the Drifters' song that carries the same name, but curiously the Wailers used a few lyrics from the Drifters' "Dance with me" for their own "Hooligan". The Drifters are among the groups that influenced the early Bob Marley and the Wailers a lot.

Still at Studio One, they covered a few teenagers songs. One of the best examples is "Teenager in love" from 1964, a rendition of the Dion and the Belmonts track (originally called "A teenager in love"), whereas the uptempo ska version of "Go Jimmy go" from the same time is a track recorded originally by Jimmy Clanton (which even has a bit of ska feeling).

The young Bob Marley's second solo record from 1962 (he was just 16), entitled "One cup of coffee", was actually also a rendition (although credited as written by Bob Marley). The original "One cup of coffee" was a hit for Claude Grey - a western country singer - in 1961.

The Wailers' tune "Playboy" from 1965 is not a rendition but uses a little bit from the Contours' hit "Do you love me".

The last two Studio one renditions have recently been released (one in its original form). The first is the rare "Lemon tree", one of the rare tracks on which Bunny Wailer sings lead (Peter Tosh shares the lead). It was recorded in 1966 while Bob was away in the USA, and the original version was a hit in 1962 for the american trio Peter, Paul and Mary.

"The ten commandments of love" was a Harvey and the Moonglows song originally, that the Wailers covered in 1965. The Moonglows were another band that influenced the Wailers and helped them shape their sound. This is also the only Studio One song that features mostly only voices, and displays the Wailers' harmonies skills (that can also be heard on Bunny Wailer's gorgeous "I need you so", based on an unknown american record).

During the second part of the 60's, the Wailers recorded interesting renditions of some of the current hits by then. Among them is the Archies "Sugar sugar". Bob sings lead and Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Rita Marley provide the backing vocals. Their version is much more punchy and sweeter than the original.

"The letter", a smash for the Box Tops in 1967, was labelled "Give me a ticket" or "Ticket for an aeroplane" on the Wailers' 1970 release. At least 2 versions exist: one with Peter Tosh singing lead and the other one with Rita Marley singing lead.

Rita Marley also sings lead on "Hold on to this feeling", a duet with Bob Marley from 1970. It is a rendition of Junior Walker's "Gotta hold on to this feeling".

The beautiful "Selassie is the chapel" from 1968 is based on a track called "Crying in the chapel", a country hit by Rex Allen. Elvis Presley recorded it too and his cut is probably the one on which their version - with adapted lyrics - is based.

"Leave my business" and "Jumbie Jamboree" are adapted from rather old caribbean songs: respectively "Nobody's business" by Edric Connor, and "Zombie Jamborie" by Harry Belafonte (thanks to Michael Garnice).

"African herbman" is a reworking of Richie Havens' "Indian rope man", with adapted lyrics but the same melody. Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers recorded that song again on their "Joy and blues" album.

Finally, Bob's first posthumous hit, "Buffalo soldier" released in 1983, was written by its producer Noel Williams - aka King Sporty - and the "Wo yo yo yo" scat is very similar and probably inspired by the 70's american kids TV show "The Banana Splits".