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Lady
Fela Kuti Lyrics


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If you call am woman
African woman no go 'gree
She go say, she go say, "I be lady, oh"

She go say, "I be lady, oh"

She go say, "I be lady"
She go say, "I no be woman"
She go say, "Market woman na woman"
She go say, "I be lady"

I want tell you about lady
I want tell you about lady
I want tell you about lady

She go say him equal to man
She go say him get power like man
She go say anything man do himself fit do

I never tell you finish
I never tell you finish
I never tell you finish
I never tell you finish
I never tell you

She go want take cigar before anybody
She go want make you open door for am
She go want make man wash plate
For am, for kitchen

She want salute man
She go, sit down for chair
She want salute man
She go, sit down for chair

She want sit down
For table before anybody
She want sit down
For table before anybody

She want a piece of meat
Before anybody
She want a piece of meat
Before anybody

Call am for dance
She go dance lady dance
Call am for dance
She go dance lady dance

African woman go dance
She go dance the fire dance
African woman go dance
She go dance the fire dance

She know him man na master
She go cook for am
She go do anything he say

But lady, no be so
But lady, no be so
But lady, no be so
But lady, no be so

Lady na master
Lady na master

Overall Meaning

Fela Kuti’s “Lady” is a tribute to African women who didn’t receive the recognition they deserved in a male-dominated society. The song speaks to the undervaluation of African women and their inherent strength, even in the face of oppression. The song’s lyrics evoke the desire for equality and emphasize that women have the same power as men. When you call an African woman a "woman", she would correct you by telling you that she is a "lady", indicating her strength, power, and importance.


The song lyrically describes how an African woman desires respect, admiration, and honor for her social positions while struggling to break gender barriers. The song discusses the character traits of a "lady" as leadership, independence, intelligence, and self-reliance. Furthermore, it praises the African woman’s tenacity to strive and thrive in difficult living conditions.


Fela Kuti wrote and recorded “Lady” in 1972, and the song became the first single to be released from his album Shakara (1972). The track features Fela himself on Saxophone and vocals and was performed by his band, Africa 70. The song received widespread attention and acclaim in Africa and around the world for its powerful message and Afrobeat instrumental.


Line by Line Meaning

If you call am woman
If you refer to her as a woman


African woman no go 'gree
An African woman would not agree with that


She go say, she go say, "I be lady, oh"
She will respond by saying she is a lady


She go say, "I be lady, oh"
She will respond again by saying she is a lady


She go say, "I be lady"
She will continue to assert herself as a lady


She go say, "I no be woman"
She will say that she is not just any ordinary woman


She go say, "Market woman na woman"
She acknowledges that a woman who sells in the market is still a woman


She go say, "I be lady"
She is definitely a lady and she is proud of it


I want tell you about lady
He is about to enlighten us about a lady


She go say him equal to man
She believes she is equal to a man


She go say him get power like man
She believes she has the power that a man possesses


She go say anything man do himself fit do
She can do anything that a man can do


I never tell you finish
He still has more to say about her


She go want take cigar before anybody
She wants to take a cigar before anyone else


She go want make you open door for am
She expects you to open the door for her


She go want make man wash plate
She wants a man to wash the dishes for her


For am, for kitchen
In the kitchen, where it's traditionally women's work


She want salute man
She wants to show respect to men


She go, sit down for chair
She will sit down in a chair


She want sit down
She wants to sit down


For table before anybody
At the table before anyone else


She want a piece of meat
She wants a piece of meat


Before anybody
Before anyone else


Call am for dance
When you call her to dance


She go dance lady dance
She will dance like a lady


African woman go dance
The African woman will dance


She go dance the fire dance
She will dance the fiery dance of Africa


She know him man na master
She recognizes that her man is the master


She go cook for am
She will cook for him


She go do anything he say
She will do anything he tells her to do


But lady, no be so
Not all ladies are like that


But lady, no be so
Don't assume that all women are the same


But lady, no be so
Ladies are not that predictable


Lady na master
The lady is the master




Lyrics © F.K.O. Music, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, BMG VM MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: FELA KUTI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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