Africa
Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Roy Ayers Lyrics

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