He worked briefly as a seaman before joining Moses Kweku Oppong's Kakaiku band. After familiarizing himself with the Ghanaian music scene, he joined Ocean Strings and led the band until 1965. When the band was disbanded, he joined a newly formed band in Takoradi, The Carousel 7. He came to prominence in 1969 when he released his single "Edina Benya". It was he who impressed on the band's owner, Anis Mubarak, to sign Paapa Yankson to the group. Mann added Western musical instruments to Osode, the traditional music of Ghanaian fishermen rhythms.
Mann had several hit songs, including "Asafo beesuon", "Obaa yaa aye me bone", "Kolomashie", "Dofo bi akyerew me", "Ankwasema dede", "Okwan tsentsen awar", "Aboa akonkoran", "Beebi a odo wo", "Tsie m'afotusem", "Ebusua ape adze aye me", "Yebeyi wo aye", and "Do me ma mondo wo bi". His latest album, Wope Nyeho was produced by West Gold Music Studio in Takoradi and released in 2013.
In 2006, Mann was awarded the Grand Medal of Ghana during the 2006 National Honours and Awards Ceremony by President John Agyekum Kufour in recognition of his contribution to Ghanaian music. He was among the first recipients of this award after the ceremony was revamped in 2006.
He lived at Anaji, a suburb of Takoradi. The street on which his house is located has been renamed C. K. Mann Avenue.
Carousel
C.K. Mann Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look at the circus clown
You're up you're down living life
It's a merry-go-round
The brass ring's hanging high
You chose your horse and ride
Spinning faster but no matter
Wooden ponies painted bright
The music, gears and lights
Hold on; hold on
Carousel, carousel
Wrap your arms round those you hold dear
Carousel, carousel
Head round the sun again here comes another year
Look at the man with clout
Look at the man without
Some days you're tall; some days you fall
It's a roundabout
You're horse is made of wood
He'd love you if he could
But love is found in the people in the neighborhood
Their laughter mixed with yours
The world around you blurs
Ride on; ride on
Come on enjoy the ride
For living is the prize
Ride on; ride on
Carousel, carousel
Wrap your arms round those you hold dear
Carousel, carousel
Head round the sun again here comes another year
Carousel, carousel
Wrap your arms round those you hold dear
Carousel, carousel
Head round the sun again here comes another year
Head round the sun again here comes another year
The lyrics of C.K. Mann's song "Carousel" tell the story of a relationship that is going in circles and driving the singer crazy. The song opens with the line "Round and round just like a merry-go-round, here we go again," which sets the tone for the song. The singer is tired of the inconsistencies in the relationship and the lies that they have been told. The relationship is making it hard for them to breathe and they feel like they are spinning out of control.
The second verse of the song goes on to say that the singer has put all their emotions on the table, but their partner has not reciprocated. Instead, their partner has taken control of them and has been pushing them to the limit. The singer is tired of being lied to and feels like they can no longer have a future with their partner. The chorus repeats the same message of how the relationship feels like a merry-go-round that they cannot get off of, with the singer stating that they have had enough and are drawing the line.
The final verse of the song shows the singer realizing that they have to move on from the relationship. They know that they can no longer be with their partner, and they wish they had never gotten involved with them in the first place. The song concludes with the same chorus, repeating the message that the singer is done with their relationship and is ready to move on.
Overall, the lyrics in "Carousel" tell the story of a relationship that has gone on for too long and has become toxic. The singer is ready to move on from their partner, who has been lying to them and controlling them. The merry-go-round metaphor used throughout the song highlights the cyclical nature of the relationship, and the singer's frustration and exhaustion with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Round and round just like a merry go
The cycle of our relationship is like a never-ending merry-go-round.
Here we go again
We keep repeating the same mistakes and falling into the same patterns.
Said you got home 5 but ain’t text me til 10
You are not being honest with me about your whereabouts and it's affecting our relationship.
Everything was going fine til you messed with my head
Our relationship was going well until you started playing mind games with me.
I heard all them stories I know what you did
I know the truth behind all the stories you've been telling me and it's hurting our relationship.
Girl I think I’ve had enough
I've reached my limit with this relationship.
Now we Running out of time
Our relationship is running out of time and chances to make things right.
I been running out of love
I've been losing feelings and love for you.
This is where I draw the line
I've reached a point where I can no longer tolerate the behavior in our relationship.
Everything you do is suss
Your actions and behavior are suspicious and causing me to distrust you.
But you still been on my mind
Despite everything, I still can't stop thinking about you and our relationship.
Now I think I’m giving up
I've come to the realization that it's time to give up on this relationship.
‘Cuz you ain’t gon make it right
You are not willing to make things right and work on our relationship.
We keep doing this for nothing getting hard for me to breathe
We keep repeating the same toxic behavior in our relationship and it's suffocating me.
Had me thinking you the one until you took control of me
I thought you were the one for me until you started controlling and manipulating me.
I took all of my emotions and I put em on a sleeve
I was vulnerable with you and wore my heart on my sleeve.
But you never gave a single motherfuck I gotta leave
You never cared about my feelings or emotions and I have to leave this relationship.
If I point out your wrongs then I’m overreacting
You make me feel like I'm overreacting when I try to address your wrongdoings in our relationship.
All of your flaws gon’ be seen in the past tense
Eventually, your flaws and mistakes will become clear and visible in hindsight.
When I get a bag you’ll be mad, know that’s facts bitch
When I become successful, you'll be jealous and angry, and that's a fact.
Never looking back, I ain’t thinking bout what happened
I'm moving forward and not dwelling on the past or what happened in our relationship.
The way it’s going it’s been feeling like a carousel
Our relationship is going in circles and it feels like a never-ending carousel.
And all your stories never match they sitting parallel
Your stories and lies never add up and are sitting parallel to each other.
And you keep pushing me to limits that I never felt
You keep pushing me to my limits and emotions that I've never experienced before.
So to be honest this the opposite of wish you well
To be honest, I don't wish you well in our relationship or anything else.
On the real, time to face it
It's time to face the reality of our relationship.
I can’t have you
I can no longer have you in my life or in this relationship.
Outta luck, you can’t take shit
You're out of luck and can't control or manipulate me anymore.
Like some bad news
Our relationship is like bad news and it's time to move on.
I been done, shit is basic
I've been done with this relationship for a while now and it's become very basic.
Like yo tattoos
Our relationship and memories together are as permanent as your tattoos.
Wish I never even fucked with you that shits a bad move
I wish I never got involved with you and this relationship was a bad decision.
You broke me
You have emotionally and mentally broken me in this relationship.
And showed me
And you made it clear to me through your actions and behavior.
All you do is lie
All you do is lie and deceive me in this relationship.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHARLES CONRAD II
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nanaowusu560
CK, sleep well but kindly leave your brand of highlife behind for our enjoyment
@oseisiribuor4521
The number one LP for the 1975 Christmas celebrations, especially for the people of the Western Region.
@johnkennedytayman1983
This is a Golden memory, Thank you Uncle CK and my buddy Paa Kofi Yankee,You dope!!
@kofibabonee9973
Music has a single language, it's nice to see people who don't even understand the lyrics vibing too. I love Igbo highlife alot and I don't understand a word lol
@aseyroberts8402
Uncle Ebo Taylor on guitar with sweet vibes
@okaforchidi1433
RIP Man. Nigerian here. Ur music was dope. Still listens to it though i don't understand the language but de beats moves me.
@akwasiprempehbonsu5443
Paapa Kofi Yankson and Charles Kofi Amankwa Mann. the best Osode Kings ever
@mukhlariddrisu1000
Memories of my dear parents
@kofichemist
Aww Tadi highlife, Ghana Highlife Music roots no size to our Legends.
God bless you for ur gifts leaves on forever
@sandraantwiadjei6507
sup kofi nketia .this Sandra