Francis Bebey Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios

The Coffee Cola Song
by Francis Bebey

There are people in town man, crazy people in town
Eating bread and butter and honey, and drinking black coffee and cola
They believe we are wild man, they believe we are wild
Just because we don't use any money, and we drink no coffee cola
But if you could go and see how they live
(ashamed ashamed)
Then, you discover how savage they are, so much wilder than we
...

There are people in town man, weird people in town
Eating bread and butter and honey, and drinking black coffee and cola
Money is what they like most, money is what they like
And people who have plenty of money belong to high society
But if you could go and see how they live
(ashamed ashamed)
Then, you discover how savage they are, so much wilder than we
...

They keep dreaming of war man, hate and crime everywhere I was told that is to get the money, that need to buy coffee cola
They keep dreaming of war man, hate and crime everywhere
That is where they can find the money, that need to buy coffee cola
...

Contributed by Elizabeth L. Suggest a correction in the comments box.

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Francis Bebey (1929–2001) was a Cameroonian artist, musician, and writer. Bebey was born in 1929 in Douala, Cameroon. He attended the Sorbonne and Paris, France, and received further education in the United States. In 1957, Bebey moved to Ghana at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah to all Africans from non-independent territories. Bebey took a job as a broadcaster.

In the early 1960s, Bebey moved to France and started work in the arts, establishing himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. Read Full BioFrancis Bebey (1929–2001) was a Cameroonian artist, musician, and writer. Bebey was born in 1929 in Douala, Cameroon. He attended the Sorbonne and Paris, France, and received further education in the United States. In 1957, Bebey moved to Ghana at the invitation of Kwame Nkrumah to all Africans from non-independent territories. Bebey took a job as a broadcaster.

In the early 1960s, Bebey moved to France and started work in the arts, establishing himself as a musician, sculptor, and writer. His most popular novel was Agatha Moudio's Son. His writing and music often cross-fertilised, and he performed a song by that name, as well (Agatha). He also worked as a consultant for UNESCO.

Bebey released his first album in 1969. His music was primarily guitar-based, although he integrated traditional African instruments as well. His style was groundbreaking, merging Cameroonian makossa with classical guitar, jazz, and pop, in a mix that could be intellectual, humorous, or serious. He sang in Duala, English, and French. Bebey had a strong impact on later performers. For example, he gave Manu Dibango his big break when Dibango came to work for him in Paris. Bebey released more than 20 albums over his career. He died in 2001.