In the aftermath of the Guinean Independence in 1958 and the encouragement of cultural pride, numerous bands sprang up throughout the African country. The first dance bands were state-supported orchestras, and included popular groups like Lanaya Jazz, Keletigui et ses Tambourins and Super Boiro. The most popular was Bembeya Jazz National, formed by vocalist Aboubacar Dembar Camara in 1961. Specializing in modern arrangements of Manding classic tunes, Bembeya Jazz National won the first two national Biennale festivals in 1962 and 1964 and was crowned National Orchestra in 1966.
Initially a seven-piece group, featuring a Latin-flavored horn section of saxophone, trumpet, and clarinet, Bembeya Jazz National reached its apex with the addition of electric guitarist Sekou "Diamond Fingers" Diabate and lead singer Sekouba Mabino Diabate (no relation). Although prohibited from touring outside Guinea until the mid-'80s, Bembeya Jazz National continued to build a cult-like following in its home country.
Bembeya Jazz National's most ambitious album, Regard Sur Le Passe, released in 1968, was a musical tribute to the memory of Samory Toure, who founded the Mande kingdom in 1870. A live album, 10 Ans De Succes, was recorded during a 1971 concert.
A set-back for the band came in 1973 when Camara was killed in an auto accident on his way to a concert in Dakar. Although they remained together for another eight years, Bembeya Jazz National was unable to duplicate the success of their earliest years. The group disbanded in 1991 with Sekou Diabate and Sekouba Bambino Diabate going on to successful solo careers.
However, it reformed in the late 1990s and has toured Europe and North America in the early 2000s.
Dagna
Bembeya Jazz National Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
immortality, a life devoid of suffering
losing myself in the incorporeal
aspirations and desires
I define the architecture within. synapses fire, reality begins
my mind is my shelter where loving arms cradle my fragile spirit
I'll watch you burn before I open my eyes
I am awake inside a thousand fleeting thoughts.
is this where I belong?
with shut eyes and clenched fists?
escaping the nightmare of my reality
Dream ends: Reality begins
awakened, I fall back into the world
I say my prayers as my face meets the concrete
BRING ME BACK!
heavy breathing, blurry vision
am I unable to change anything?
is nothing under my control?
once again, I must face my demons. I must face you.
wake up, please wake up
I am the change that the whole world fears
they will know what I've done, they will know who I am
let your mind speak
I am the change that the whole world fears
you are irrelevant, you are a burden
they know nothing, leave them be.
follow the dream, child
not in your sleep, but in your waking life
throw your dreams into the world
I don't have to tell you everything
so dont act like I owe you anything
in my sleep i dream of destroying you
in my waking life, I dont have to
what is it like to sleep forever?
this reality is mine to change
my dreams will become my reality
a lie no longer borne from slumber
my eyes are now open, my walls are now windows
i dont need to escape anymore
our dreams become our actions
our stories become our memories
I chase my dreams with eyes wide open
The lyrics of Bembeya Jazz National's "Dagna" explore the themes of dream and reality, immortality, self-empowerment, and the human desire to escape suffering and confront one's demons. The lyrics open with the idea of dreaming and living forever and the aspiration to live a life free of pain and suffering. The dreams that the subject has are like a shelter where they can escape from the nightmare of their reality and cradle their spirit safely. However, when awoken from these dreams, they often face their fears and anxieties head-on.
The lyrics convey a sense of inner conflict within the subject, as they strive to find a balance between their dream world and reality. They acknowledge that they are the change that the whole world fears, but they also recognize that they are not beholden to anyone and can pursue their dreams on their own terms. The subject seems to realize that their dreams can be turned into reality and that they can change their current situation.
The lyrics also explore the idea of control and self-empowerment. The subject acknowledges that they may not be able to control everything, but they can control themselves and their actions. They refuse to be burdened by others and choose to follow their own dreams rather than those of others. Ultimately, the subject chases their dreams with their eyes wide open, embracing the challenges that come with their quest for a better life.
Line by Line Meaning
Dream and live forever
Aspirations and desires of living forever and being immortal
losing myself in the incorporeal
Getting lost in dreams and desires
I define the architecture within. synapses fire, reality begins
Creation of thoughts that lead to the start of reality
my mind is my shelter where loving arms cradle my fragile spirit
The mind provides protection and comfort to the fragile human spirit
I'll watch you burn before I open my eyes
Preferring to face reality than facing the harshness of their dream world
is this where I belong? with shut eyes and clenched fists? escaping the nightmare of my reality
Questioning the escape from reality and whether it's the right place to belong
Dream ends: Reality begins
Transition from the dream world to reality
awakened, I fall back into the world I say my prayers as my face meets the concrete
Facing the harshness of reality and seeking solace through prayer
BRING ME BACK! heavy breathing, blurry vision
Yearning to go back to the dream world while facing the harshness of reality
am I unable to change anything? is nothing under my control? once again, I must face my demons. I must face you.
Questioning their control over their life and accepting the reality of facing their fears once again
wake up, please wake up I am the change that the whole world fears they will know what I've done, they will know who I am
Becoming the change in the world and being recognized for it
let your mind speak I am the change that the whole world fears you are irrelevant, you are a burden they know nothing, leave them be.
Encouraging oneself to speak their mind and being confident in their ability to bring change
follow the dream, child not in your sleep, but in your waking life throw your dreams into the world
Urging others to chase their dreams and make them a reality instead of just dreaming about them
I don't have to tell you everything so dont act like I owe you anything in my sleep i dream of destroying you in my waking life, I dont have to
Choosing not to disclose everything to anyone and not feeling the need to prove oneself to others
what is it like to sleep forever? this reality is mine to change
Contemplating the idea of eternal sleep and how the power to change their reality lies within themselves
my dreams will become my reality a lie no longer borne from slumber my eyes are now open, my walls are now windows i dont need to escape anymore
Believing that their dreams will turn into reality and that they no longer need to escape their reality
our dreams become our actions our stories become our memories I chase my dreams with eyes wide open
Chasing dreams and turning them into actions which become memories
Contributed by David L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TheThieddo
L'immense Boubacar Demba Camara promène sa voix de velours sur un titre qui invite au voyage dans ce magnifique pays qu'est la Guinée...toute l'Afrique a pleuré,pleure et pleurera ce chanteur extraordinaire !!!
@yacoubaoumartoure7602
Cette chanson me rappelle forcément l'histoire des Sekou Touré , des lassana conté , de la guinée profonde , les villes , les villages , les hameaux de guinée , Merci au bembeya jazz
@blancleuc007
Toutes les Chanson de de benbeya jaz etaient ecoutée dans toute l afrique de l ouest .Mali, cote d ivoire , burkina , senegal etc...partout ou il y a des peuple mandingue. Ce fut un grans souvenir memorable. Mes amis ivoirien , des natif du nord de la cote d ivoire , des dioula malinke, n arretaient pas de mettre en boucles ses chansons.dans les années 70. trop d emotion quand je suis passer les voir en cote d ivoire . Dans la ville de bouake et abidjan.
@user-zz2bt9yx1l
Sa me fait pleure francement
@abdoulayesow7431
Elle ne meurt jamais cette musique!
@user-zz2bt9yx1l
La vie sekou toure boucoup fait pour la culture em guine vive lorchestre bemba jaz.
@yacoubaoumartoure7602
Ces' la guinée , la belle guinée , ces villes , son paysage , sa nature , j'ai la chaire de poule , très clairement xa me rappelle les choses de mon enfance , ces souvenir lointain
@mariesola3721
Les instruments haut de gamme, merci pour tout, la vie continue son chemin.
@user-bj1sq1sy1h
You are forever ❤❤❤❤❤❤
@bangouramamadouba8411
Quand j'écoute ce morceau Dagna je pense à mon village Yoto, au moment où je partais au champ à Amiyèli vers le soir au couché du soleil c'est ce que je chantais à l'enfance