Stalemate
Fela Kuti Lyrics


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I explain,
Two heavy brothers dem sit down inside sun, dem the sweat,
Dem the share one bottle of beer between dem self.
Den one fine lady cum meet dem say brother abge buy me one bottle of
Beer na, dem go look dem self, look the woman,
Look dem pocket look dem suffer for Africa, dem go say stalemate.
I explain,
Two women bring argument 2 u, wer start from dem gossip,
Dem want make u give dem answer into dem gossip argument,
Or make u settle the matter wer u no knw the beginning or the end.
I explain,
Two hustlers come meet you dem wan hustle you,
And you self don see all the beginning and end of
The hustle they wan fall you. You go say hmmm stalemate.



...Instrumental ...
(End)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fela Kuti's song "Stalemate" present a metaphorical representation of a situation where there is a standstill or a deadlock between two opposing forces. The song starts by referring to two men who are sitting in the sun and sharing a bottle of beer. A beautiful woman approaches them and asks them to buy her a bottle of beer. However, they hesitate and look at each other, then at their pockets and notice their poverty. They are stuck in a stalemate, unable to buy the woman a drink.


Kuti's lyrics then move on to address two women who bring an argument to the listener, starting with gossip. They demand a resolution to the argument, but the listener is unable to provide an answer. The listener is in a stalemate, unable to resolve the conflict. The final verse of the song addresses two hustlers who approach the listener, attempting to swindle them. The listener already knows their tactics, and as a result, the hustlers are stuck in a stalemate, unable to move forward in their deception.


The lyrics of "Stalemate" convey that there are situations where opposing forces are unable to make progress or reach a resolution, thus leading to a standstill. Kuti's metaphorical examples are relatable, and the song's message of powerlessness is reinforced by the instrumental section at the end of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

I explain,
Fela introduces his explanation of the song.


Two heavy brothers dem sit down inside sun, dem the sweat,
Two men are sitting in the sun, sweating.


Dem the share one bottle of beer between dem self.
They are sharing one bottle of beer between themselves.


Den one fine lady cum meet dem say brother abge buy me one bottle of Beer na, dem go look dem self, look the woman, Look dem pocket look dem suffer for Africa, dem go say stalemate.
A woman approaches them and asks for a beer, but they realize they have no money and cannot buy her one, leading to a stalemate.


Two women bring argument 2 u, wer start from dem gossip, Dem want make u give dem answer into dem gossip argument, Or make u settle the matter wer u no knw the beginning or the end.
Two women bring an argument to you that started from gossip. They want you to take a side in their argument, but you don't know the beginning or the end of the issue, leading to a stalemate.


Two hustlers come meet you dem wan hustle you, And you self don see all the beginning and end of The hustle they wan fall you. You go say hmmm stalemate.
Two hustlers try to scam you, but you see through their tricks and know the end result, leading to a stalemate.


...Instrumental ...
The music continues instrumentally.


(End)
The song has come to an end.




Writer(s): Fela Anikulapo Kuti

Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

gbolahan fadeyi

OMG !!!!. Fela and Bob Marley were the GIANTS.... musically....in those days of my high school (CMS ...1979 set)..You were considered a rebel just by listening to their songs and ended up being punished on Fridays by the prefects. I was not deterred. The songs opened my eyes and mind to the real world.. I hope those days will come back. Love from TEXAS.

Olatunji Akintobi

Awesome! this guy creativity is legendary.

yomiorimolade

Honestly speaking his talent and musical creativity and finesse is awesome.

Hogan 523

The great Fela at his best!

hyppe Nkosi

I LOVE THE HORN AND THE CHORUS ON THIS SONG

Olatunji Akintobi

Awesome

yomiorimolade

Me too

Kolawole Babatunde

If you never listened to this beautiful tones before you never hear fela kuti be that

Akinremi Thompson

Words becomes unbelieveable ! By The greatest of all Musician...Fela .

Touré Talnan

a big cheaf never dies.

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