Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Coenie was educated at University of the Free State in Bloemfontein majoring in media studies where he later on lectured in the Communications faculty. He has always viewed his musical career as his second vocation. He is also a classically trained pianist. Coenie is the anchor presenter in popular South African kykNET journal program "Kwela".
During the late 1980s, Coenie spent a few years in self-imposed exile in Cyprus. Coenie has also performed in New Zealand, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Coenie signed with Mountain Records in 1983, and recorded his debut album, Skoppensboer, working with producer, Patrick Lee-Thorp and engineer, Kevin Shirley, in the same year. He subsequently recorded 4 albums for the label many of which won industry awards. In addition he contributed to label compilations of his work. Since leaving Mountain Records he has recorded a number of one off projects for different labels.
Coenie lived on the island of Cyprus during the eighties and nineties. He wrote, recorded and produced the album Amper Alleen in Cyprus and in Athens, Greece. Amper Alleen was the second SA album to be released on CD. Coenie and his family returned to South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC. He released Hartland, an album which included a vocal performance by Lesley Rae Dowling.
Telefoongesprek
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
dat sy uit sy hand kon eet;
is dit genoeg om dit te weet
in hierdie dae?
Dis moeilik om te sê
waar die skeuring werklik lê
en hy wonder:
Want in elke sin skuil daar 'n swaard
in elke woord wag daar 'n lem
die patroon is so gevestig, so bestem:
elk' gesprek 'n doodloopstraat
Hy bel dus desperaat
'n kennis van weleer:
-kan ek jou sien, miskien?
-ja, natuurlik, ek verstaan
-en die kinders is belangrik
-nee nog self geen kind of kraai nie
-ek wil my jeug nie so verraai nie
-tot siens dan
-gee my groete aan jou man
(herhaal vers 1)
The lyrics of the song "Telefoongesprek" by Coenie De Villiers portray a man who is struggling with a communication breakdown. He reflects on the past when things were different and easier, yet in the present, it is hard to understand where the rift lies. He wonders if bargaining can resolve this issue; however, he realizes that in every sentence and word, there is a double-edged sword. He perceives that conversation is a dead-end street, and he calls up an old acquaintance in desperation.
Through the conversation with the acquaintance, he shares his thoughts candidly, saying that he feels like he can not eat out of his own hand as he once did, and he almost pleads with the acquaintance to meet. The acquaintance agrees, and the man mentions the importance of his children, but the acquaintance points out that they do not have children. Before ending the phone call, the man sends greetings to the acquaintance's husband, and the song repeats the first verse.
The song suggests that communication barriers arise, and it can be challenging to overcome them. The lyrics portray the man's frustration with the collapse of a connection that he once had with someone. He acknowledges that conversations carry both power and force and how communication is often perceived to be a dead-end street. However, the song also expresses the hope that reaching out and seeking to connect can lead to resolution.
Line by Line Meaning
Daar was 'n tyd, dis waar
There was a time, it is true
dat sy uit sy hand kon eet;
when she could eat from his hand;
is dit genoeg om dit te weet
is this enough to know
in hierdie dae?
in these days?
Dis moeilik om te sê
It is difficult to say
waar die skeuring werklik lê
where the split actually lies
en hy wonder:
and he wonders:
sou dit help om te beding?
would it help to negotiate?
Want in elke sin skuil daar 'n swaard
For in every sentence lurks a sword
in elke woord wag daar 'n lem
in every word awaits a blade
die patroon is so gevestig, so bestem:
the pattern is so established, so determined:
elk' gesprek 'n doodloopstraat
every conversation is a dead end
Hy bel dus desperaat
So he calls desperately
'n kennis van weleer:
an acquaintance from the past:
-kan ek jou sien, miskien?
-Can I see you, perhaps?
-ja, natuurlik, ek verstaan
-Yes, of course, I understand
-en die kinders is belangrik
-And the children are important
-nee nog self geen kind of kraai nie
-No, still no child or crow
-ek wil my jeug nie so verraai nie
-I don't want to betray my youth like this
-tot siens dan
-Goodbye then
-gee my groete aan jou man
-Give my regards to your husband
(herhaal vers 1)
(repeat verse 1)
Contributed by Nathan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.