Drawn inexorably into the vortex of mass success, 1927 swiftly lost control, playing out a familiar rock tune: the group's second album, The Other Side, failed to match the sales of its predecessor and 1927 gradually slipped from view even as it began to buckle under the strain of touring.
Today, Eric Weideman is living in Perth maintaining a solo career and reforms 1927 every now and then.
Africa
1927 Lyrics
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Just like a western child
'Neath the blazin' sun though he would not run
He could not run as we would
His tears the only rain, the earth will know
Wish I could go to him
But what would I say to him then?
Let's not forget their need for lo-ove
Before we turn our heads, close our eyes
Forget what we despise
Should I offer assistance
Should I say I care for you
Denyin' the others
His sisters and brothers too
Or leave it for someone else
Like it's been left for me
It's just so easy to say
Another time, another day
Oh, Africa
Let's not forget their need for love
Before we turn our heads, close our eyes
Forget what we despise
Look at him cryin'
Just like a western child
Wish I could go to hi-im
But what would I say to him then?
So I'll leave it for someone else
Like it's been left for me
It's just so easy to say
Another time, another day
Oh, Africa
Let's not forget their need for love
Before we turn our heads
Close our eyes
Look away and ignore the lies
Feed ourselves and enjoy our lives
Forget what we despise
The lyrics to 1927's song Africa speak to the need for empathy and action towards those suffering in Africa. The opening stanza describes a child crying under the scorching sun, incapable of running away from whatever situation has caused his tears. The author then reflects on the notion of going to him to offer comfort, acknowledging the reality that such a gesture does little to address the larger issues at hand. The refrain pleads with listeners to not forget the need for love in Africa, aiming to prevent ignorance and apathy towards the suffering of others.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at him cryin'
Observing a person from Africa, crying and expressing their helplessness
Just like a western child
Despite the cultural differences, the pain and sorrow felt by this person is similar to that of a person from the western world
'Neath the blazin' sun though he would not run
The person is enduring the hardships of life under the scorching sun without giving up
He could not run as we would
The person has their own struggles and limitations which make it impossible for them to escape their situation
His tears the only rain, the earth will know
The only relief for the person's pain is in the form of tears, which even the earth can feel
Wish I could go to him
The singer wishes they could offer help or support to the person in need
But what would I say to him then?
The singer is uncertain of what words or actions would be appropriate to offer help
Oh, Africa
A plea to humanity to not forget the struggles faced by people in Africa
Let's not forget their need for love
A call to show empathy and love towards people in Africa who are facing challenging circumstances
Before we turn our heads, close our eyes
An urging to not ignore the struggles of others while living our own comfortable lives
Forget what we despise
A request to let go of any prejudices or dislikes towards a particular group of people
Should I offer assistance
Questioning whether the singer should take action to assist the person in need
Should I say I care for you
Considering whether expressing compassion and care toward the person would be helpful
Denyin' the others
The act of neglecting the needs of others who are also suffering and in need of help
His sisters and brothers too
Highlighting the fact that the person in need is not alone in their struggle and that others in their community are also facing challenges
Or leave it for someone else
The decision to not take personal responsibility to help and hoping someone else will step up
Like it's been left for me
The feeling of having been neglected or forgotten by others in the past
It's just so easy to say
Acknowledging that it is easy to offer words of comfort or promises of assistance without taking concrete action
Another time, another day
The act of postponing action or help to a later time, without a clear timeline or plan for follow-through
Look away and ignore the lies
A call to not turn a blind eye to difficult situations or potential injustice
Feed ourselves and enjoy our lives
The reminder that many of us have the privilege to enjoy our own lives and indulge ourselves without considering the struggles of others
Forget what we despise
A repetition of the earlier call to let go of prejudices and biases in order to show empathy and care for all people
Writer(s): Harris Lloyd Seaton, Lloyd James, Dennis Emmanuel Brown
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.