In 1981, at the age of 16, she left Cape Town for Soweto, Johannesburg to seek her fortune as a singer. Brenda first joined the group Joy and later became the lead singer for the township pop group Brenda And The Big Dudes. She had a son, Bongani, in 1985 by a fellow Big Dudes musician. Brenda married ex-convict Nhlanhla Mbambo in 1989 but later in 1991 got divorced. It was around this time that she became addicted to cocaine and her career suffered.
With very outspoken views and frequent visits to the poorer townships of Johannesburg, as well as songs about life in the townships, she enjoyed tremendous popularity. Known best for her songs "Weekend Special" and "Too Late for Mama", she was called by Time Magazine in 2001 "The Madonna of the Townships".
In a drug-related incident in 1995 she was discovered unconscious with the body of her lover, Poppie Sihlahla, who had died of an apparent overdose. Fassie survived, underwent rehabilitation, and got her career back on track. However, she still had drug problems and returned to drug rehabilitation clinics about 30 times in her life.
Since 1996 she released several solo albums like "Now Is The Time", "Memeza" (1997, the best selling album in South Africa) or "Nomakanjani?". Most of her albums became multi-platinum sellers in South Africa.
On the morning of 26 April 2004, Brenda collapsed at her home in Buccleuch and was admitted into the Sunninghill hospital in Johannesburg. The press were told that she had suffered cardiac arrest but later reported that she had slipped into a coma brought on by an asthma attack. The post-mortem report revealed that she had taken an overdose of cocaine in the night of her collapse, and this was the cause of her coma. She stopped breathing and suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen. Brenda died at age 39 on 9 May 2004 in hospital without returning to consciousness after her life support machines were turned off. According to the South African Sunday Times and the managers of her music company, the post-mortem report also showed that she was HIV-positive. Her manager, Peter Snyman, denied this aspect of the report.
She was voted 17th in the Top 100 Great South Africans.
Source: Wikipedia
External link: Brenda Fassie: A very human hero (BBC News)
Bad Girl
Brenda Fassie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No
I am not a bad girl
Oh no
Lady
Lady, lady
Heeey
I try so hard
To please everybody
'Cause it's on my mind all the time
Hmmmmmm
They don't understand me (Don't understand me)
They think I'm crazy (Crazy)
They don't understand me (Don't understand me)
Ohhhhh they think I'm dizzy
She's not a bad girl
(Baby baby) Aaaahaaa
She's not a bad girl
Baby
She's not a bad girl
Baby baby
She's not a bad girl
Baby
You just had to understand
I'm nobody else
Just an ordinary girl
Baby be my judge (Be my judge)
And listen to what I say (Listen to what I say)
Look at what I'm doing (They don't understand me) Oh
Just take me the way I am
(She's not a bad girl)
Ohhhhh (Baby baby)
(She's not a bad girl) Oh no
No no no no no no (Baby)
(She's not a bad girl) No no no no no no
No no no no (Baby baby)
(She's not a bad girl) Heeey
(Baby) Heeey
Don't push me too far
'Cause I am on the edge
I'm trying not to lose my head haah
It's like a dream sometimes
Makes you wonder (It makes you wonder)
(Oh It makes you wonder)
Ohhh
Ohhh ohhh
They say that I like publicity (Publicity)
Front pages of the magazine (Magazine)
Well too bad, that's a pity
Hey, hey
Just take me the way I am
(She's not a bad girl)
Just take me the way I am (Baby baby)
(She's not a bad girl) Makes you wonder (Baby)
(She's not a bad girl)
(Baby baby)
(She's not a bad girl) It makes you wonder (Baby)
It makes you wonder
It makes you wonder
It makes you wonder
It makes you wonder
It makes you wonder
It makes you wonder
The song "I Am Not A Bad Girl" by Brenda Fassie is a powerful anthem that speaks to the challenges faced by women who are misunderstood and judged harshly by society. The lyrics express the frustration and confusion felt by the artist, who is constantly trying to please others even though they don't understand her. She asserts that she is not a bad girl, despite what others may think, and asks to be accepted for who she is.
The first verse sets the tone for the song, with Brenda Fassie repeating the words, "I am not a bad girl" repeatedly. The following lines express the artist's desire to please everyone, which results in her feeling misunderstood and crazy. She pleads with listeners to understand her and take her for who she is.
The chorus is a powerful affirmation of the artist's identity. She asserts that she is not a bad girl and that people need to accept her for who she is. The repetition of the phrase "She's not a bad girl" is a powerful reminder that women should not be judged solely on their appearance or behavior.
The second verse highlights the artist's frustration with being judged by the media. She admits that she likes publicity and is often featured in magazines, but ultimately laments the fact that this attention results in her being judged by others. The song ends with an evocative repetition of the phrase "It makes you wonder," which suggests that the artist is still grappling with the complexities of her identity and the unfair judgments of society.
Line by Line Meaning
I am not a bad girl
I am a good person and should not be judged unfairly or with prejudice.
No
Absolutely not.
I try so hard
I make a great effort to be accommodating to everyone's requests and needs.
To please everybody
I want to make sure everyone is happy with me and my actions.
'Cause it's on my mind all the time
This is a constant thought on my mind and affects my actions and behaviors.
They don't understand me (Don't understand me)
People have a hard time comprehending my true self.
They think I'm crazy (Crazy)
Others may view me as irrational or unstable without truly knowing me.
Ohhhhh they think I'm dizzy
Some may believe I am confused or spacey, which is not accurate.
She's not a bad girl
I am a good person and should not be judged unfairly or with prejudice.
(Baby baby) Aaaahaaa
An expression of joy or affirmation.
You just had to understand
All I need is for people to comprehend who I am, and not judge me based on opinions or assumptions.
I'm nobody else
I am my own person, unique and individual.
Just an ordinary girl
I am not anything extraordinary or different from anyone else.
Baby be my judge (Be my judge)
Please take the time to understand me and make fair and unbiased assessments of me as a person.
And listen to what I say (Listen to what I say)
Pay attention to my words and my thoughts, and don't dismiss them lightly.
Look at what I'm doing (They don't understand me) Oh
Examine my actions and behaviors, and do not make assumptions about me based on preconceived notions or stereotypes.
(She's not a bad girl)
I am a good person and should not be judged unfairly or with prejudice.
Don't push me too far
Please do not test my limits or tolerance excessively, as it could result in negative consequences for us both.
'Cause I am on the edge
I am close to reaching a breaking point, and any additional stress or pressure could cause me to snap or break down.
It's like a dream sometimes
The situation I find myself in can often feel surreal or detached from reality.
Makes you wonder (It makes you wonder)
The circumstances provoke a feeling of curiosity or contemplation.
They say that I like publicity (Publicity)
People wrongly assume that I seek attention or fame.
Front pages of the magazine (Magazine)
A reference to being in the public eye or scrutinized by the media.
Well too bad, that's a pity
I am not willing to compromise or change my true self for the sake of others' perceptions or opinions.
Just take me the way I am
I want to be accepted for who I am, flaws and all, without any changes or expectations placed upon me.
It makes you wonder
The circumstance evokes a feeling of curiosity or contemplation.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kesentseng Qonyevu Miss Kay
on Matshidiso
I loved Brenda Ma B with all my heart i still do nd forever will. Rest in eternal peace Queen of Pop
Lionel Mbayiwa
on Undikolota Malini
This song reminded me when I was still young and living in Zimbabwe,it painted an imagery picture of how South Africa looked like then I could see people dancing and very happy.
Since I had never set my foot in SA then and didnt understand what it means but there was a feeling within.
Now I'm listening to it and I'm residing in SA the song is taking me back home when I was young and living in an imaginary world.
Ngwanona song.i love it.
Ayanda Ndaba
on Kuyoze Kuyovalwa
zimbi iindaba...kuyoze kuyo closwa...iuyithululele iduku le iNGOMA...Hey he he he hey hola hops...hay' suuka
Nomacala Scaca Mpunzi
on Mama
why we don't get the track stay away(from my man) by brenda fassie?