Africa
Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Roy Ayers Lyrics
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Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Can you see what I see
Everybody's crying out
And yet we have no unity
My friends always ask me
Mary? tell me why do you weep
'Cause I'm trying to get over
All the negativity
That's why I'm searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
We are living in a world
Of "who has what?" and "who is who?"
But I'm telling you my friend
The answer's right in front of you
We are searching for a peace
Piece of mind is what we need
We are searching for the love
That comes with the unity
Oh ooh oh (oh)
Oh ooh oh (everyday)
Oh ooh oh (it rains)
Oh ooh oh (can you stand the pain?)
Oh ooh oh (why do we live the way we choose to live?)
Oh ooh oh
Oh (I'm telling you my brother right now that we got to be)
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Oh ooh oh (oh)
Oh ooh oh (why are we still searching)
Oh ooh oh (when the answer's right in front of you)
Oh
Oh ooh oh (I'm telling you)
Oh ooh oh
Oh ooh oh (you better look straight a head of your path)
Oh (because the love is always there)
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
I don't wanna fuss n' fight
I just wanna make it right
What can we do to be strong
If we try to get along
I'm not trying to preach to you
But I am still searching too, yeah
Me and you can do it, oh
I don't ever wanna be stressed out
I just wanna live my life
The way I feel that I should be
'Cause I wanna be happy, happy
What about you and me
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
Searching searching
The lyrics to "Africa" by Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers depict a world in turmoil, where people are searching for peace and unity amidst negativity and division. The song speaks to the heart of many people who long for a better world, where love and happiness reign supreme. The repetitive nature of the lyrics emphasizes the urgency of the issues being raised and the need for people to come together to resolve them.
The song's theme resonates with Fela Kuti's activism and his dedication to promoting social change through his music. He used his music as a tool for social and political critique, and "Africa" is no exception. The song reflects his dissatisfaction with the state of Africa and its people, questioning why they are still searching for basic human needs like peace, love, and unity.
The lyrics also suggest that the answers to these questions are right in front of us, and we only need to look within ourselves to find them. The message is clear – we can only achieve peace and unity if we work together and set aside our differences.
Line by Line Meaning
Searching searching
Repeated emphasis on the act of searching, seeking something that is missing
Do you hear what I hear
Asking the listener to pay attention to a common message
Can you see what I see
Asking the listener to observe and acknowledge the shared reality
Everybody's crying out
Acknowledging the widespread pain and suffering
And yet we have no unity
Recognizing the lack of solidarity despite shared struggles
My friends always ask me
People seek explanation and guidance from those who appear to be searching for solutions
Mary? tell me why do you weep
Asking for a reason for the sorrow and longing
'Cause I'm trying to get over
Endeavoring to move beyond negativities and challenges
All the negativity
All the harmful and limiting experiences and attitudes
That's why I'm searching
Clarifying the motivation behind the quest
We are living in a world
Acknowledging the current global situation and context
Of "who has what?" and "who is who?"
Of competition, materialism, and social stratification
But I'm telling you my friend
Asserting a hopeful message to the listener
The answer's right in front of you
Revealing a solution that is attainable
We are searching for a peace
Desiring for tranquility and security
Piece of mind is what we need
Peace of mind is vital for overall wellbeing
We are searching for the love
Seeking the profound human emotion that connects everyone
That comes with the unity
Unity brings about the love that is being sought for
Oh ooh oh (oh)
Expressing an emotional response through sound
Oh ooh oh (everyday)
Emphasizing the regularity of the situation
Oh ooh oh (it rains)
Metaphorically, life's difficulties and challenges
Oh ooh oh (can you stand the pain?)
Asking if the listener can endure and overcome hardships
Oh ooh oh (why do we live the way we choose to live?)
Asking about the motivations and reasons behind people's actions
Oh ooh oh
Repeated emphasis of emotional response through sound
Oh (I'm telling you my brother right now that we got to be)
Asserting a message of the need for unity and love
Oh ooh oh (why are we still searching)
Reiterating the need for searching for solutions
Oh ooh oh (when the answer's right in front of you)
Restating that solutions are within reach
Oh ooh oh (you better look straight ahead of your path)
Advising the listener to stay focused on the goal
Oh (because the love is always there)
Reinforcing the presence of love as a solution
I don't wanna fuss n' fight
Rejecting conflict and strife as ways to solve problems
I just wanna make it right
Desiring harmony and resolution
What can we do to be strong
Asking for strategies to enact positive change
If we try to get along
Suggesting cooperation and understanding as a way to progress
I'm not trying to preach to you
Acknowledging the message not as a sermon, but as a conversation
But I am still searching too, yeah
Revealing the continued quest for solutions
Me and you can do it, oh
Positing the collective ability to solve global problems
I don't ever wanna be stressed out
Desiring peace and stability
I just wanna live my life
Expressing the will to live one's life as one chooses
The way I feel that I should be
Emphasizing the personal nature of one's choices and actions
'Cause I wanna be happy, happy
Clear statement of the goal of the quest for solutions
What about you and me
Inviting the listener to join in the search for solutions
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: FREDDIE D III JERKINS, LATONYA BLIGE-DACOSTA, MARY J BLIGE, RODNEY ROY JERKINS, ROY AYERS, XENOS DACOSTA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kalzone60
I was shopping for albums back in the early 90's and they had this playing in the background. I was hypnotized! Had to stop and ask them to sell me a copy. Just hearing it again after many years and still mesmerizing!
@primalized
Damn cool jam. So chilled. Thank you Fela
@redcreem
Along with GENTLEMAN, the BEST record EVER from AFRICA, if only the leaders of African countries were on the SAME WAVELENGTH, lol.
@elvinasitoe9406
the best musician of all time... Black power man...
@carlitosdh14
ANTHEM ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
@okeziefugwu7890
Long lives Afro beat
@AAde-or3qz
"White supremacy is based on ignorance"
- Fela Kuti
@MrSimms-oh3qf
🔥🔥🔥YASSSSS 🔥🔥🔥
@MrTappi66
One from the best! Rip... Fela Anikulapo Ransome Kuti This is so great....
@terryezekiel-okoh1003
This is one of the most Pan African music, I ever heard. Fela was really great.