The original lineup was notable for having three guitars and no bass player, creating a distinctive, layered sound. Kimble Rendall left in 1982 before the release of their first single, Leilani, and went on to become a noted music video director. He was effectively replaced by bassist Clyde Bramley. Radalj was not happy with Rendall's departure or Faulkner's increasing influence, and left the band himself, to be replaced by one-time Fun Things guitarist Brad Shepherd. This line-up released the band's break-through first album, Stoneage Romeos, in 1984.
In 1998, the band officially split but reformed for occasional concerts in subsequent years. A full-fledged reunion came in 2004, when they released Mach Schau and began touring again. The band received another boost when Come Anytime (from 1989's Magnum Cum Louder) was used as the theme song to the Australian TV show Thank God You're Here.
Discography:
Stoneage Romeos (1984), Mars Needs Guitars! (1985), Blow Your Cool! (1987), Magnum Cum Louder (1989), Kinky (1991), Crank (1994), Blue Cave (1996), Mach Schau (2004), Purity of Essence (2010)
Compilations:
Electric Soup (1992), Gorilla Biscuit (1992), Electric Chair (1998), Armchair Gurus (1998), Bite The Bullet (1998), Ampology (2000)
Zanzibar
Hoodoo Gurus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two Caucasians at the town bazaar?
Are you who you say you are?
Did you offer me a Dutch cigar?
You must have thought you were so bourgeois.
Are you who you say your are?
After all these years, you haven't changed at all
Summer days are hot in Zanzibar
And at night the sky is filled with stars.
Listen. You can hear guitars.
Native people, skins as black as tar,
Wear bright-colored robes in Zanzibar.
They've never even heard of Ska!
On a tour of limestone caves
Did we see where traders kept their slaves?
Was that how we spent the day?
After all these years, you haven't changed at all
But I can't say you look the same.
I have never been to Zanzibar
I have always thought it was too far
You're not who you say you are.
The song Zanzibar by Hoodoo Gurus captures a unique perspective of two Caucasians meeting in the town bazaar of Zanzibar, a historical and cultural city on an island in Tanzania, Africa. The singer raises questions to the other about their true identity, unsure if they are who they claim to be. The mention of a Dutch cigar and the term "bourgeois" allude to the possibility of the other being a wealthy character. The singer hints at a familiarity with the other, and after years, the other's appearance remains constant. However, the singer can see there is something different about the other, but cannot decipher what exactly it is.
The lyrics venture into the surroundings of Zanzibar's summer days filled with the warmth of the sun, and nights illuminated by the stars in the sky. The song references the local people, their black skin contrasted with the bright-colored robes that they adorn, and how music plays an essential role in their culture in Zanzibar. The mention of the famous music genre Ska is a subtle reference to the western influence they have never encountered. The lyrics also suggest that the two Caucasians visited the local caves where slaves were traded centuries ago, an allusion to the dark history of the slave trade in East Africa.
Line by Line Meaning
Did we ever meet in Zanzibar,
Questioning if a previous encounter happened in Zanzibar.
Two Caucasians at the town bazaar?
Specifying the race of the people who may have met.
Are you who you say you are?
Asking for clarification on the identity of the person being referred to.
Did you offer me a Dutch cigar?
Asking if the person offered a specific type of cigar.
You must have thought you were so bourgeois.
Assuming the person may have believed themselves to be high-class.
Are you who you say you are?
Repeating the question about the person's true identity.
After all these years, you haven't changed at all
Implying that the person being referred to has stayed the same over time.
But I can't say you look the same.
Admitting that the artist cannot confirm if the person appears the same as before.
Summer days are hot in Zanzibar
Describing the climate in Zanzibar during the summer season.
And at night the sky is filled with stars.
Observing the night sky in Zanzibar.
Listen. You can hear guitars.
Noticing the sound of guitars in Zanzibar.
Native people, skins as black as tar,
Describing the skin color of the indigenous population in Zanzibar.
Wear bright-colored robes in Zanzibar.
Observing the traditional clothing worn by the native people.
They've never even heard of Ska!
Commenting on the lack of familiarity with a specific music genre by the native people.
On a tour of limestone caves
Referring to a potential tourist activity in Zanzibar.
Did we see where traders kept their slaves?
Asking if the group saw where slaves were once kept in Zanzibar.
Was that how we spent the day?
Questioning if that specific activity was the primary thing done that day in Zanzibar.
I have never been to Zanzibar
Stating that the singer has not personally visited Zanzibar before.
I have always thought it was too far
Explaining why the singer has not visited Zanzibar yet.
You're not who you say you are.
Declaring that the artist believes the person being referred to is lying about their identity.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE FAULKNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ali Sanz
LYRICS:
Did we ever meet in Zanzibar,
Two Caucasians at the town bazaar?
Are you who you say you are?
Did you offer me a Dutch cigar?
You must have thought you were so bourgeois.
Are you who you say your are?
After all these years, you haven't changed at all
But I can't say you look the same.
Summer days are hot in Zanzibar
And at night the sky is filled with stars.
Listen. You can hear guitars.
Native people, skins as black as tar,
Wear bright-colored robes in Zanzibar.
They've never even heard of Ska!
On a tour of limestone caves
Did we see where traders kept their slaves?
Was that how we spent the day?
After all these years, you haven't changed at all
But I can't say you look the same.
I have never been to Zanzibar
I have always thought it was too far
You're not who you say you are
obaolori
their whole first album was a blast and timeless classic
Daniel Linck
Grande banda, grande som! Zanzibar, terra de Fred Mercury.
AJAXKID123
This album is one of my all-time favorites. A perfect album.
This song is a fantastic and gorgeous gem.
Josette Davis
I love this. So melodic!
John Rebstock
THIS is one of many fantastic songs by the HOODOO GURUS....MY OTHER FAVORITES ARE: I Want you back, Dig IT Up, TOJO, Bittersweet, Come Anytime, Shadow Me, What's My Scene, Like WOW- WIPE OUT, Death Defying, Arthur and My Girl AND LEILANI
Dallas Robertson
Gosh, forgot how brilliant this song is. Haven't heard in freaking years!
Eduardo Santana De Jesus
Antes de uma sessão de surf agente ouvia na fita cassete essa música p cair no mar!!! Isso lá nos idos de 87
Mark Haslam
wish they played this nowadays...such a great song!
Fabiano Ferronato
sonzera, muitas lembranças dos bons tempos com antigos amigos, praia e surf.
obaolori
Hoodos first lp solid oz classiv