Although his solo career brought him wider acclaim, he was also formerly a member of Yothu Yindi, and later Saltwater Band. He was the most commercially successful Aboriginal Australian musician at the time of his death.
The first of four sons born to Ganyinurra (Daisy) and Nyambi (Terry) Yunupingu, he was born in Galiwin'ku, Elcho Island in 1971, situated off the coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, about 530 kilometres east of Darwin. He was from the Gumatj clan of the Yolngu and his mother was from the Galpu nation. He was born blind, never learned Braille and did not have a guide dog or use a white cane, and was said to be acutely shy. When he was four years old, he learned how to play a toy piano and an accordion by teaching himself. A year later he began to play a guitar; despite being a left-hander, he played a right-handed guitar, holding it "upside down", which he would continue to do throughout his career.
His first solo album, Gurrumul, debuted at No. 69 on the ARIA Charts and No. 1 on the independent chart. Gurrumul peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Charts. The album was certified triple platinum. Yunupingu's friend Michael Hohnen produced the album and was his translator. Critics have heaped praise on the singer, describing his voice as having "transcendental beauty". Elton John, Sting and Björk were among his fans. When asked what he would do with any money he made, he suggested it would go to his mother and aunts, following the Aboriginal tradition of sharing wealth.
In 2008 Yunupingu was nominated for four ARIA Awards, winning the awards for Best World Music Album and Best Independent Release. He also won three Deadlys, winning for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Gurrumul and Single of the Year for "Gurrumul History (I Was Born Blind)".
In November 2009, he was named Best New Independent Artist, and his album, Gurrumul, Best Independent Release and Best Independent Blues/Roots Release at the Jägermeister Australian Independent Record (AIR) Awards held at Melbourne's Corner Hotel. In 2009 a portrait of Gurrumul by Guy Maestri won Australia's major art prize, the Archibald Prize.
He was again awarded the Australian Independent Record (AIR) Award for Best Independent Blues and Roots Album in 2011 for his album Rrakala. In the same year his single Bayini became the first track by an indigenous musician to reach the top five of the Australian charts.
In 2012 Gurrumul was one of the contributing vocalists on Gary Barlow's commemorative single "Sing" for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which features artists from across the Commonwealth. He performed "Sing" live at the Diamond Jubilee Concert on Monday 4 June 2012 together with many of the song's contributing artists. In 2012 Gurrumul had conferred upon him an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Sydney.
In 2013, Gurrumul joined Delta Goodrem for a special performance of "Bayini" on The Voice Australia. During the performance, he stated: "Yolngu are deep thinking philosophical people. The words in the song refer to many families sitting together on the beach looking to waves and sea, the horizon, contemplating."
In December 2013, Gurrumul released a live album, titled His Life and Music which was recorded in the Sydney Opera House and released through ABC Music. It was nominated for Australian Independent Record Labels Association and ARIA awards.
In 2015, Gurrumul toured the US. He released his third studio album, The Gospel Album on 31 July 2015. It debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Charts. In October 2015, the album won Gurrumul's third ARIA Award for Best World Music Album.
Yunupingu died at Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory, at about 5 p.m. on 25 July 2017, aged 46. He had suffered from liver and kidney diseases for many years. Upon his death he was described as an important figure in fostering racial harmony, and as a voice of indigenous Australians. He received tributes from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, fellow musician Peter Garrett, and the Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Wiyathul
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
M?rrma dji?awurr ??thinana, nambawu ?arru?ana Guwalil?awu
rirrakayunmina ?iyanydja milkarri, nambawu ?arru?ana Murrurr?awu
ro?iyirri rirrakayyu. y..a barrawa?ayu y..a Mutjwutj?a ga?a?i?iyu
Ga namba Guwalil?a, ga namba Warra?ika, ga namba Yumay?a, m..m
Yä wulman ?äthinana, yä dhiya?una ?anyi?dhu dhungununayu
yä ?ä??i ma??a. marrkapmirri ma??a. nhumanydja ?ayatha?ana Ruypu Milinditj
yä ?ä??i ma??a. marrkapmirri ma??a. nhumanydja ??thiya?a mil?urr Burarrapu
yä namba guwalil?a, yä gunambal warra?ika, yä namba Yumaya?a
m..m
Two scrub fowl crying out, looking for Guwalil?a
the calls like women crying, looking for Murrurr?awu
the cries returning his mind to the jungles at Mutjmutj?a
oh place Guwalil?a, Warra?ika, Yumay?a, m..m
Oh the old man cries, from this drink
oh dad Kampa-Dju?adju?a, home Maya?-?araka bright in his mind
oh my two mums, beloved mums, hold Ruypu Milinditj
oh my two mums, beloved mums, cry for the sacred spring Burarrapu
oh the place Guwalil?a. Warra?ika, Yumay?a, m..m
Dji?awurr, the orange footed scrub fowl are family and relatives to the Gumatj
The song Wiyathul, by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, is a beautiful reflection on the concept of belonging and the longing for home. The lyrics revolve around the search for three different places, Guwalil?a, Warra?ika, and Yumay?a, which represent a sense of belonging that the singer is missing. The song starts with the sounds of the scrub fowl calling out, searching for their home in Guwalil?a, their family and relatives. The singer then reflects on his personal journey, longing for the feeling of home that he associates with those three places.
The chorus repeats the three names, Guwalil?a, Warra?ika, and Yumay?a, emphasizing their importance and the emotional weight they carry. The second verse then adds more context to the singer's personal journey, referencing his father and his hometown of Maya?-?araka. The final lines of the verse focus on the singer's love for his mothers and their connection to the sacred spaces of Ruypu Milinditj and Burarrapu.
Overall, Wiyathul is a powerful reflection on the importance of a sense of belonging and the longing for a connection to our roots. The lyrics are deeply personal, but also touch on universal themes that many listeners can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
M..m
Referring to the sacred place where the song originates.
M?rrma dji?awurr ??thinana, nambawu ?arru?ana Guwalil?awu
The orange-footed scrub fowl are crying out for the sacred place Guwalil?a, as they are family.
rirrakayunmina ?iyanydja milkarri, nambawu ?arru?ana Murrurr?awu
Their cries sound like women crying and they are searching for Murrurr?awu.
ro?iyirri rirrakayyu. y..a barrawa?ayu y..a Mutjwutj?a ga?a?i?iyu
Their cries cause his thoughts to return to the jungles of Mutjmutj?a.
Ga namba Guwalil?a, ga namba Warra?ika, ga namba Yumay?a, m..m
Referring to the three sacred places Guwalil?a, Warra?ika, and Yumay?a, which are important to the song.
Yä wulman ?äthinana, yä dhiya?una ?anyi?dhu dhungununayu
The old man cries from the effects of the drink that he is consuming.
yä b?pa Kamba-Dju?adju?a. mi??'thurruna bayma Maya?-?araka
He thinks of his home, Maya?-?araka, and remembers his dad, Kampa-Dju?adju?a.
yä ?ä??i ma??a. marrkapmirri ma??a. nhumanydja ?ayatha?ana Ruypu Milinditj
He thinks fondly of his two mums and holds them close at Ruypu Milinditj.
yä ?ä??i ma??a. marrkapmirri ma??a. nhumanydja ??thiya?a mil?urr Burarrapu
He cries for the sacred spring Burarrapu and thinks of his two mums fondly.
yä namba guwalil?a, yä gunambal warra?ika, yä namba Yumaya?a
Referring again to the three sacred places Guwalil?a, Warra?ika, and Yumay?a.
m..m
Referring to the sacred place again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEOFFREY GURRUMUL YUNUPINGU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@HellaEsha
I was a little white boy in Darwin many years ago, I fell in love with the smells and sounds of this amazing place. I used to sit in the dust with my aboriginal friends, some were very old and we shared everything. There was an unspoken communication and a wonderful feeling of being safe. I left a long time ago, Gurrumul takes me back to this place. xxx
@whyyes6428
Yeah righto
@peterwilliamson4296
Very nice reflections of a special time for you. Thanks for sharing.
@nothanksmate
Can you go back?
@hakaharvey321
me too Hella me too
@lisetteem3054
why did you leave?
@jeremymckay9283
Even without understanding a single word, it's still the most beautiful song I've ever heard...
@jeremymckay9283
Là Txt
kd
@ginaborgeson7799
Exactly how I feel
@mariekeletaonatamole6215
True. Really true. If we think so, it means we are really sensitive to music and it's a great thing cause this song for sure is a beautiful one with beautiful lyrics and from a great artist