Bob Marley and the Wailers have earned another international milestone, with their classic song So Much Trouble in the World receiving platinum certification in New Zealand more than four decades after its release.

The song appears on the group’s 1979 album Survival and remains one of Bob Marley’s most recognised recordings. Its message about poverty, inequality, war and environmental challenges continues to connect with listeners around the world, helping the song remain relevant decades after it was first released.

So Much Trouble in the World was recorded at Marley’s Tuff Gong Studio on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston, Jamaica. The track peaked at number 56 on the United Kingdom singles chart and has since been covered by several artists, including Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples and Grammy-winning reggae band SOJA.

Marley performed the song during his Babylon by Bus Tour, which included his first and only concert in New Zealand. The performance took place in April 1979 at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland and remains a memorable moment for fans in the country.

The platinum certification adds to the lasting success of Survival, the album that introduced the song to audiences worldwide. The album reached number 32 on Billboard’s Top Soul LPs chart, now known as the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and climbed to number 70 on Billboard’s all-genre albums chart, now the Billboard 200.

Outside the United States, Survival also performed well internationally. It reached number 20 on the United Kingdom Albums Chart, number 17 in Sweden, number 10 in Norway and number 32 in Australia.

The album has continued to earn recognition over the years through international sales and streaming. It has received gold certifications in Canada, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. In Spain, the album has achieved platinum status.

The latest certification for So Much Trouble in the World highlights the enduring global appeal of Bob Marley and the Wailers. More than 45 years after its release, the song continues to reach new audiences while its message about the challenges facing the world remains as meaningful today as when it was first recorded.