Zombie
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti & The Africa 70 Lyrics
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Zombie O Zombie (Zombie O Zombie) x2
Zombie no go go unless you tell am to go
(Zombie)
Zombie no go stop unless you tell am to stop
(Zombie)
(Zombie)
Zombie no go think unless you tell am to think
(Zombie)
Zombie O Zombie
Zombie O Zombie (all the above x2)
tell am to go straight - a joro jara joro
no break no job no sense
a joro jara joro
tell am to go kill - a joro jara joro
no break no job no sense
a joro jara joro
tell am to go quench - a joro jara joro
no break no job no sense
a joro jara joro
go and kill (joro jara joro)
go and die (joro jara joro)
go and quench (joro jara joro)
put am for reverse (joro jara joro)
go and quench (joro jara joro)
go and kill (joro jara joro)
go and die (joro jara joro)
put am for reverse (joro jara joro)
go and die (joro jara joro)
go and quench (joro jara joro)
go and kill (joro jara joro)
put am for reverse (joro jara joro)
aaha
joro jara joro
Zombie we na one way
joro jara joro
Zombie we na one way
joro jara joro
Zombie we na one way
joro jara jorooooooooo oohh!
attention! (Zombie)
quick march (Zombie)
slow march (Zombie)
left trun (Zombie)
right turn (Zombie)
about turn (Zombie)
double up (Zombie)
salute (Zombie)
open your hat (Zombie)
stand at ease (Zombie)
fall in (Zombie)
fall out (Zombie)
fall down (Zombie)
get ready (Zombie) (the above x2)
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti & The Africa 70's song "Zombie" is a strong political commentary on the government and military's control over their followers in Africa. The song highlights the power dynamic between leaders and their followers, drawing similarities between soldiers in the army and those Africans who blindly follow their leaders. Fela uses the metaphor of "Zombies" to describe this control, as Zombies are typically known to move and act without conscious thought or free will.
The repetition of the phrase "Zombie no go go unless you tell am to go" highlights the lack of agency and free will that is granted to these followers. They are commanded to move or act only when told to by their leaders or military commanders, much like a Zombie. Fela calls out the oppressive mentality and practices of the government and military leaders, as they tell their followers to kill or quench without any questioning or thought.
The use of military calls in the song, such as "quick march" and "salute," further emphasizes the control and power dynamic between the leaders and followers. Fela's message in the song is a call to action for his fellow Africans to question and resist the oppressive systems in place and fight for their rights and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Zombie no go go unless you tell am to go
The followers of the leader will not move unless he gives the order to do so
Zombie no go stop unless you tell am to stop
The followers of the leader will not stop unless he gives the order to do so
Zombie no go turn unless you tell am to turn
The followers of the leader will not turn unless he gives the order to do so
Zombie no go think unless you tell am to think
The followers of the leader will not think unless he gives the order to do so
tell am to go straight - a joro jara joro
Order the followers to move in a straight line
no break no job no sense
Without a break or a job, there is no sense in following blindly
tell am to go kill - a joro jara joro
Order the followers to kill without remorse
tell am to go quench - a joro jara joro
Order the followers to put out the life of someone
go and kill (joro jara joro)
Go and kill in a brutal manner
go and die (joro jara joro)
Go and die in a senseless way
put am for reverse (joro jara joro)
Reverse the course of the follower's actions
Zombie we na one way
The followers of the leader have only one direction
attention! (Zombie)
Get the follower's attention
quick march (Zombie)
Order the followers to march quickly
slow march (Zombie)
Order the followers to march slowly
left trun (Zombie)
Order the followers to turn left
right turn (Zombie)
Order the followers to turn right
about turn (Zombie)
Order the followers to make a 180-degree turn
double up (Zombie)
Order the followers to march at double the speed
salute (Zombie)
Order the followers to salute
open your hat (Zombie)
Order the followers to remove their hats
stand at ease (Zombie)
Order the followers to stand in a relaxed manner
fall in (Zombie)
Order the followers to fall into an orderly line
fall out (Zombie)
Order the followers to break ranks
fall down (Zombie)
Order the followers to fall to the ground
get ready (Zombie)
Order the followers to get ready for an action
Contributed by Noah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stevemasters3383
Anybody else enjoying this in 2021...Fela is amazing!!
@jamesshipp8411
Damn right, Steve! Am glad I bought this gem a few years back!
@HighToneRanger
Yup
@emeeul
1996, 2021, 2079, 3256
@BogartChannel8
Hell yeah. its awesome stuff. Timeless.
@christopherbremer2192
word
@jaime28241
I am Barranquillero and I have listened to African music since I was a child. Today I am 59 years old and I continue to listen to African music, the best music in the world.
@obohaghogho
Ironically this song cannot still be played on mainstream Nigerian media nearly 50 years after!
@suzanneverdal4401
Whenever I'm down, I listen to Fela Kuti, and the sunshine comes back.
@user-uf9yg4mh8v
100%☝