Hugh Masekela (born Witbank, April 4, 1939. Died Johannesburg, January 23, … Read Full Bio ↴Hugh Masekela (born Witbank, April 4, 1939. Died Johannesburg, January 23, 2018) was a South African flugelhorn and cornet player. In 1961, as part of the anti-apartheid campaign, he was exiled to the United States where he was befriended by Harry Belafonte. He has played primarily in jazz ensembles, with guest appearances on albums by The Byrds and Paul Simon. In 1987, he had a hit single with "Bring Him Back Home" which became an anthem for the movement to free Nelson Mandela. After apartheid ended, Masekela returned to South Africa where he lived until his death on the early morning of 23 January 2018 from prostate cancer, aged 78.

Hugh Masekela was an old collaborator of Abdullah Ibrahim. He is reported to have been initially inspired in his musical growth by Trevor Huddleston, a British priest working in the South African townships who financed Masekela's first trumpet. Masekela played his way through the vibrant Sophiatown scene with The Jazz Epistles and to Britain with King Kong, to find himself in New York in the early 1960s. He had hits in the United States with the pop jazz tunes "Up, Up and Away" and the number one smash "Grazin' in the Grass".

A renewed interest in his African roots led him to collaborate with West and Central African musicians, and finally to reconnect with South African players when he set up a mobile studio in Botswana, just over the South African border, in the 1980s. Here he re-absorbed and re-used mbaqanga strains, a style he has continued to use since his return to South Africa in the early 1990s.

In the 1980s, he toured with Paul Simon in support of Simon's then controversial, but highly critically acclaimed, album Graceland, which featured other South African artists such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba, Ray Phiri, and other elements of the band Kalahari, which Masekela recorded with in the 1980s. He also collaborated in the musical development for the Broadway play, Sarafina! He previously recorded with the band Kalahari.

In 2003, he was featured in the documentary film Amandla!, about how the music of South Africa aided in the struggle against apartheid. In 2004, he released his autobiography, Grazin' in The Grass: The Musical Journey of Hugh Masekela, which thoughtfully details his struggles against apartheid in his homeland, as well as his personal struggles against alcohol addiction from the late 1970s through to the 1990s, a period when he migrated, in his personal recording career, to mbaqanga, jazz/funk, and the blending of South African sounds to an adult contemporary sound through two albums he recorded with Herb Alpert, and notable solo recordings, Techno-Bush (recorded in his studio in Botswana), Tomorrow (featuring the anthem "Bring Him Back Home"), Uptownship (a lush-sounding ode to American R and B), Beatin' Aroun' de Bush, Sixty, Time, and most recently, "Revival".

Essential recordings include:

* "Bring Him Back Home"
* "Coal Train (Stimela)"
* "Ziph'nkomo"
* "Don't Go Lose It Baby"
* "Ha Le Se Li De Khanna (The Dowry Song)"
* "Bajabule Bonka"
* "Grazing in the Grass"
* "U-Dwi"
* "The Joke of Life"
* "The Boy's Doin' It"
His song, "Soweto Blues", sung by his former wife, Miriam Makeba, mourns the carnage of the Soweto riots in 1976.

Hugh Masekela is the father of Sal Masekela, host of American channel E!'s Daily 10 show, along with Debbie Matenopoulos.

U-Dwi
Hugh Masekela Lyrics

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I left you
Then I kissed you on my return
I watched you
From every corner and every curve
And I wonder
Was it all a blessing or all a curse
But you’ve proven to me

Look at how far we’ve come
Man look at how far we’ve come

Oh oh oh oh
I know its true
Oh oh oh oh
I know its true yeah
Cause I found heaven in you
Yeah I found heaven in you

Oh oh oh oh
I know its true
Oh oh oh oh
I know its true
I found heaven in you
I found heaven in you

Not a doubt in my head
Not one little shadow no
All love just instead
I think that I found the one
I mean, how could I not
When every picture we're in makes my heart stop
Yeeaah oww

Man you take me so higher (higher)

Yes you get me so inspired (inspired)
Oohh you take me so higher (higher)
Yeah you get me so inspired

Oh oh oh oh
I know its true
Oh oh oh oh
I know its true yeah
I found heaven in you
Yeah I found heaven in you

Oh oh oh oh
I know its true
Oh oh oh oh
I know its true yeah
'Cause I found heaven in you
Yeah I found heaven in you

Oh oh oh oh
I know its true
Oh oh oh oh
I know its true yeah
'Cause I found heaven in you
Yeah I found heaven in you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Hugh Masekela's song "You" describe the journey of the singer's love life. He left his lover but upon his return, he kissed her again, watched her from every corner and curve, and wondered if their relationship was a blessing or curse. However, their progress together seems to have answered his question, and he affirms that they have come so far. The singer then goes on to explain that he has found heaven in his partner, and he is high, inspired, and certain that he has found the one.

The lyrics are very straightforward in describing the feelings of the singer towards his lover, the ups, and downs of their relationship, and how far they've come. The overarching theme is that the singer has found his perfect match and that he is grateful for the love that he shares with his partner. The chorus of the song emphasizes this point, as the singer repeats the phrase, "I found heaven in you" several times, which is a testament to the depth of his feelings.

Overall, Hugh Masekela's song "You" is a powerful love song that describes the journey of a couple's love life. The lyrics are simple yet powerful, and the tune is upbeat and infectious. The song is a celebration of love and the unbreakable bond that two people can share. It is an excellent song for anyone who has ever been in love and for those who are searching for their soulmate.

Line by Line Meaning

I left you
I separated from you for a while

Then I kissed you on my return
I reunited with you and showed affection

I watched you
I observed you closely

From every corner and every curve
From every angle and perspective

And I wonder
I am curious

Was it all a blessing or all a curse
Did the separation have a positive or negative impact on us?

But you’ve proven to me
However, you have shown me

Look at how far we’ve come
Reflect on our journey and progress

Man look at how far we’ve come
Wow, see how much we have achieved

I know its true
I am convinced and confident

Cause I found heaven in you
Because you bring me immense joy and happiness

Not a doubt in my head
I have complete faith and trust

Not one little shadow no
Without any trace of uncertainty or insecurity

All love just instead
Only pure love and affection

I found the one
I have found my soulmate

When every picture we're in makes my heart stop
Each photograph of us causes my heart to skip a beat

Man you take me so higher (higher)
You elevate me to new heights

Yes you get me so inspired (inspired)
You motivate and inspire me

'Cause I found heaven in you
Because you bring me immense joy and happiness

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HUGH MASEKELA, JOAO DE FONSECA, JOAO CARLOS LISA BOTELHO DA FONSECA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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