Expensive Shit
Fela Kuti Lyrics
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Eran na goat o, for Yoruba land
Him go bend him yansh him go shit
Him go commot away from him shit
Him shit go be the last thing wey he go like to see
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)
Obo na monkey for Yoruba land
Him go bend him yansh him go shit
Him go commot away from him shit
Him shit go be the last thing wey he go like to see
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)
Obinrin na woman for Yoruba land
Obinrin na woman for Yoruba land
She go bend she yansh she go shit
She go commot away from she shit
She shit go be the last thing wey she go like to see
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)
Okunrin na man for Yoruba land
Okunrin na man for Yoruba land
Him go bend him yansh him go shit
Him go commot away from him shit
Shit go be the last thing wey he go like to see
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)[?]
Tell me now now
Me I be Fela, I be Black Power man
Me I be Fela, I be Black Power man
I go bend my yansh I go shit
I go commot away from the shit
The shit go be the last thing wey I go like to see
No be so for some fools wey I know
No be so for some stupid people I know
No be so for some fools wey I know
People wey go like to quench your soul
People wey go like to quench your soul
En! Alagbon o
Them go use your shit to put you for jail
En! Alagbon o
And don tell my shit too expensive shit
En! Alagbon o
My shit na exhibit, it must not lost o
En! Alagbon o
And don tell my shit too expensive shit
En! Alagbon o
My shit na exhibit, it must not lost o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
En! Alagbon o
In “Expensive Shit,” Fela speaks about the power dynamics inherent in Nigeria’s government and colonial history. The song is a direct reference to the 1974 incident where Fela was held for possession of marijuana. Fela implicates the police force, the Nigerian government, and even directly questions the power structures in place by “bending his yansh” just like the eran, obo, obinrin, okunrin. He highlights how people in power can use even the most basic things to oppress others, in this case, using human excrement as evidence.
Throughout the song, Fela Kuti is criticizing the corruption within the Nigerian government, expressing his frustration with being arrested on false drug charges. He is also using the metaphor of shit to reference the ways in which those in power try to suppress the voices of the oppressed in Nigerian society. The song is a critique of government oppression and corruption, mocking the government’s focus on these trivial matters, rather than addressing the larger problems in society. Ultimately, the song is about taking control and being fearless in the face of those who try to crush your spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Eran na goat o, for Yoruba land
In Yoruba land, goats are known for defecating and this goat will bend and excrete
Him go bend him yansh him go shit
The goat will squat and defecate
Him go commot away from him shit
The goat will move away from the excrement after defecating
Him shit go be the last thing wey he go like to see
The goat would not want to see its own excrement
Because why o? (Because the shit dey smell!)
The reason for the goat's aversion to its own waste is because it smells bad
Obo na monkey for Yoruba land
Monkeys are known to defecate in Yoruba land too, and this monkey will bend and defecate
Obinrin na woman for Yoruba land
In Yoruba land, women also defecate and this woman will bend and defecate
Okunrin na man for Yoruba land
In Yoruba land, men also defecate and this man will bend and defecate
Tell me now now
Now tell me
Me I be Fela, I be Black Power man
I'm Fela Kuti, the Black Power advocate
I go bend my yansh, I go shit
I will also defecate like the goat, monkey, woman, and man
I go commot away from the shit
I will move away from my excrement after defecating too
The shit go be the last thing wey I go like to see
Just like the goat, I would also not like to see my own excrement
No be so for some fools wey I know
Some foolish people I know don't have the same aversion to their own waste
People wey go like to quench your soul
These are people who would like to harm you in some way
En! Alagbon o
En! It's Alagbon
Them go use your shit to put you for jail
These people are capable of using anything against you, including your own excrement to put you in jail
And don tell my shit too expensive shit
They have even claimed that my own excrement is too valuable
My shit na exhibit, it must not lost o
As absurd as it may sound, they want to display my excrement and it must not get lost
En! Alagbon o
En! It's Alagbon
Lyrics © F.K.O. Music, EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING FRANCE
Written by: Kuti Fela Anikulapo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@counterproductivity
This is actually about being detained when fela arrived back home from a tour and was holdin... As in a joint... Carrying contraband as it were... Or so the authorities suspected... Truly, he had made alot of trouble for the powers at be by declaring his own autonomous country after his mother was killed. Anyway, here he is, he's got a joint, or maybe he doesn't. I can't recall, my album is around here somewhere... So, This is the tale of Fela and the Grassy Assed Investigation Bureau of Govt Shit Smellers.
His plane landed, the joint was either ingested or the non joint perhaps was not. Here come the coppers to nab this upstart punk. Get over here you! Toss ya I'm the back of the cop car... Detention time. And I don't mean after school. The Wheaties were never actually found. The pigs figure... Ok there now Fela, you can sit right down and we'll wait and see.
See what?
Well.
The suspected drugs.
The what?
The fuckin marijuana. You sit down too! Who's telling this story,me or you?
Huh?
Oh, sorry, sometimes I just prattle on in my own little realm of bellicosity and self arguing, muttering to myself, and generally making a mockery of Mr Moloch's Big Bro.
So what of the broccoli cheese and weathered ostrich beaks?
Never you mind.
Now where was I?
Ah we were waiting. Yes. Of course. Them pigs, see, they figure ok... We'll see what sort of stool he passes, since they suspected he was retaining said dope within his body. Eaten or boofed one has to wonder. Either way... Here Fela is, and they're gonna check his feces for marijuana. Uh oh.
KLLLAAAAAAAAANGGGG
Shit... Ok now your homework for the day is to figure a way out of this room. My ninja women kill with merciless abandon! Fly my lovelies! Tonight we feast like Kings!
What?
@warriboy9850
I count myself lucky to have seen Fela live several times in the U.K. and Nigeria. His live shows were most capitulating. During Paul McCartney visit to Lagos in the 70s described Fela live performances as the best he has ever witnessed.
@kolyxix
That was golden era. I envy you.
@iteamy
Do you mean captivating?
@user-ke8if6ri9r
I am man of Swedish hertage living in Texas,USA. Last year I was in the hospital to have my gallbladder removed. I was visited by a doctor. He had an interesting accent. I asked if he was from Nigeria. He smiled. Why do you ask?. I listen to Fela Kuti and KSA. I think highly of the Nigerians I have met. He and I talked about music for awhile. My surgery was successful.
@Jath2112
I'm not sure anyone...no matter how skilled... could ever play what Tony plays here. It is absurd. Impossible groove.
@XCocoaCutieX
Fela Kuti was a pioneer with the AfroBeat Movement. AfroBeat is the most funkiest, hippest make you wanna dance music
@zakariasabdul
Yes indeed!
@jamiestewart139
Thanks to Tony Allen 👍
@corehero9580
Nothing I love more than this intro, and then when things pick up at 0:48... such an infectious groove yet intense. The keyboard melody at 1:00 - 1:52 is also incredible. Fela is and was a genius.
@will8443
That groove is Tony Allen