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Highlife Time
Fela Kuti Lyrics


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Everybody knows how much he meant to you, baby
But you still insist that your heart's alright
I can see that he's about to get the best of you, maybe
You're too ashamed to cry and it's gettin' hard to hide

It's gonna get bad, before it gets better
You can cry and cry, but he still won't call
It's gonna get sad, maybe even sadder
But you're not over the heartache
You're still under the fall

When it comes to love, you've always had your way
And you never had your heart broke, or so you say
No you can't fool me, I know he's on your mind
There's things in love that just happen sometime

It's gonna get bad, before it gets better
You can cry and cry, but he still won't call
It's gonna get sad, maybe even sadder
But you're not over the heartache
You're still under the fall

It's gonna get bad, before it gets better
You can cry and cry, but he still won't call
It's gonna get sad, maybe even sadder
But you're not over the heartache
You're still under the fall

Still under the fall

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Fela Kuti's song Highlife Time tell a story of love and heartbreak. The song is about a woman who is still in love with someone who has left her, and despite trying to put on a brave face, she is struggling to get over the heartache. The song suggests that the woman is still in denial about her feelings and isn't ready to face the reality of the situation. The lyrics contain a warning to the woman that things are going to get worse before they get better, and she needs to prepare herself for the sadness and heartache that lies ahead.


The language used in the lyrics is simple yet effective. The repetition of the phrase "It's gonna get bad before it gets better" reinforces the message of the song and adds a sense of foreboding. The line "You're still under the fall" suggests that the woman is still suffering from the impact of the breakup and is yet to fully recover. The subtle use of musical instruments, including the trumpet and saxophone, add to the melancholic atmosphere of the song.


Overall, the lyrics to Highlife Time are a poignant portrayal of the pain of heartbreak and the difficulty of coming to terms with lost love. Fela Kuti's masterful use of language and music come together to produce a powerful and emotive track that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the turmoil of a broken heart.


Line by Line Meaning

Everybody knows how much he meant to you, baby
It's widely known that you had strong feelings for him


But you still insist that your heart's alright
However, you claim that you're emotionally okay


I can see that he's about to get the best of you, maybe
I can sense that he's going to have a significant impact on you


You're too ashamed to cry and it's gettin' hard to hide
You're reluctant to show emotion, even though it's becoming difficult to conceal


When it comes to love, you've always had your way
In the past, you've generally had control in your relationships


And you never had your heart broke, or so you say
You claim to have never experienced heartbreak


No you can't fool me, I know he's on your mind
But I can tell that he's still occupying your thoughts


There's things in love that just happen sometime
Certain events in relationships can't be predicted


Still under the fall
You're still feeling the negative effects of the relationship




Writer(s): Fela Kuti

Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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