Àfrica
Daryl Hall John Oates Lyrics
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Uhh
My baby went to Africa
With the dirty lens photographer
My baby land in jungle land
With a US body and a real light tan
(US body and a real light tan)
My baby went to Africa
My baby went to Africa
Sing
(Uhh)
Sing
(Uhh)
My baby went to Africa
With a make-up man and a love-sick lover
She get a couple o' grand and a two-piece suit
Let the folks back home see the native beauty
(Folks back home see the native beauty)
My baby went to Africa
My baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa
I packed my bags and gotta get to her
Before the lions and tigers try to jump on her bones
And the boys sing
(Uhh)
Africa, Africa
(Uhh)
And the girls sing
(Uhh, uhh)
My baby went to Africa
I packed my bags and I'll get to her
Before the lions and tigers try to jump on her bones
Sing
Baby went to Africa
(Africa, Africa)
Baby went to Africa
(Africa, Africa)
Baby went to Africa
(Lions and tigers try to jump on her bones)
Baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa
(Let the folks back home see the native beauty)
Baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa
(I'm on my way)
Baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa
The lyrics for Daryl Hall and John Oates's song "Africa" are about a woman who travels to Africa for a modeling job. She takes along a photographer with a dirty lens, a makeup artist, and a love-sick lover. The singer is worried about her safety since Africa has a reputation for dangerous wildlife such as lions and tigers, and he wants to reach her before any harm comes to her. The song talks about the beauty of Africa and how the woman is there to showcase it to the world, but it also highlights the dangers of traveling to an unknown land.
The song has a few layers of meaning with its lyrics. First, it comments on the colonialist view of Africa, where white people would travel to Africa to "discover" it and tell the world about its "exotic" beauty. The lyrics "let the folks back home see the native beauty" show how even today, there is a tendency to exoticize and fetishize Africa's culture and people. Secondly, the song also highlights the dangers of being a woman traveling to a foreign land, as the singer is worried about the woman's safety. This is especially relevant given the ongoing debate surrounding women's safety while traveling, and the fact that many women are hesitant to travel alone due to safety concerns.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby went to Africa
My significant other traveled to the continent of Africa
With the dirty lens photographer
Accompanied by a photographer whose camera lenses were dirty or inappropriate for the environment
My baby land in jungle land
Arrived in an area heavily covered in vegetation and wildlife
With a US body and a real light tan
Having an American physique and a noticeable change in skin complexion due to exposure to sunlight
My baby went to Africa
Reiteration that the significant other traveled to Africa
Sing (Uhh) Sing (Uhh)
Interlude with vocal sounds
With a make-up man and a love-sick lover
Accompanied by a person responsible for makeup and a romantic interest who is unaware of the environment
She get a couple o' grand and a two-piece suit
Received a few thousand dollars and clothing consisting of two separate pieces
Let the folks back home see the native beauty (Folks back home see the native beauty)
To showcase the natural beauty of the area and its inhabitants to individuals back in her home country
My baby went to Africa
Once more confirming the significant other's travel to Africa
I packed my bags and gotta get to her
The singer intends to travel to Africa to see his significant other
Before the lions and tigers try to jump on her bones
To arrive and ensure the safety of his significant other from the dangers present in the African wilderness
And the boys sing (Uhh) Africa, Africa (Uhh)
Chorus with male vocalists singing Africa
And the girls sing (Uhh, uhh)
Chorus with female vocalists producing vocal sounds
My baby went to Africa
Once more reiterating his significant other's travel to Africa
I packed my bags and I'll get to her
Repeat of the artist's intent to travel to Africa to see his significant other
Before the lions and tigers try to jump on her bones
A second reminder of the importance of speed in reaching his significant other to ensure her safety
Sing Baby went to Africa (Africa, Africa)
Chorus highlighting his significant other's travel to Africa
Baby went to Africa (Africa, Africa)
Reiteration of his significant other's travel to Africa
Baby went to Africa (Lions and tigers try to jump on her bones)
To emphasize the potential danger present in the African wilderness
Baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa (Let the folks back home see the native beauty)
To showcase the natural beauty of the area and its inhabitants to individuals back in her home country
Baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa (I'm on my way)
Reiteration of the artist's intent to travel to Africa to see his significant other
Baby went to Africa, baby went to Africa
Once more reiterating his significant other's travel to Africa
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN OATES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind