Sometimes called Le Zoulou Blanc, he is an important figure in South African popular music history, with songs that mix Zulu with English lyrics and African with various Western music styles.
Clegg was born in Bacup, Lancashire, to an English father and a Rhodesian mother. Clegg's mother's family were Jewish immigrants from Poland, and Clegg had a secular Jewish upbringing, learning about the Ten Commandments but refusing to have a bar mitzvah or even associate with other Jewish children at school. His parents divorced when he was still an infant, and he moved with his mother to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and then, at the age of 6, to South Africa, also spending less than a year in Israel during childhood.
As an adolescent in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, he encountered the demi-monde of the city's Zulu migrant workers' music and dance. Under the tutelage of Charlie Mzila, a flat cleaner by day and musician by night, Clegg mastered both the Zulu language and the maskandi guitar and isishameni dance styles of the migrants. Clegg's involvement with black musicians often led to arrests for trespassing on government property and for contravening the Group Areas Act. He was first arrested at the age of 15 for violating apartheid-era laws in South Africa banning people of different races from congregating together after curfew hours. At the age of 17, he met Sipho Mchunu, a Zulu migrant worker with whom he began performing music. The partnership, which they named Johnny & Sipho and then Juluka, was profiled in the 1970s television documentary Beats of the Heart: Rhythm of Resistance.
As a young man, Clegg pursued an academic career for four years, lecturing at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Natal, and writing several seminal scholarly papers on Zulu music and dance. In the early stages of his musical career, Clegg combined his music with the study of anthropology at Wits, where he was influenced, among others, by the work of David Webster, a social anthropologist who was later assassinated in 1989. He preceded each song with snippets of Zulu culture, information, commentary, humor and personal anecdotes relevant and unique to that song. An engaged social anthropologist, he not only mastered the theories but delved into the culture and disseminated it.
Juluka was an unusual musical partnership for the time in South Africa, with a white man (Clegg) and a black man (Mchunu) performing together. The band, which grew to a six-member group (with three white musicians and three black musicians) by the time it released its first album Universal Men in 1979, faced harassment and censorship, with Clegg later remarking that it was "impossible" to perform in public in South Africa.[9] The group tested the apartheid-era laws, touring and performing in private venues, including universities, churches, hostels, and even private homes in order to attract an audience, as national broadcasters would not play their music. Just as unusually, the band's music combined Zulu, Celtic, and rock elements, with both English and isiZulu lyrics. Those lyrics often contained coded political messages and references to the battle against apartheid, although Clegg has maintained that Juluka was not originally intended to be a political band. "Politics found us," he told The Baltimore Sun in 1996. In a 1989 interview with the Sunday Times, Clegg denied the label of "political activist." "For me a political activist is someone who has committed himself to a particular ideology. I don’t belong to any political party. I stand for human rights."
Juluka's music was both implicitly and explicitly political; not only was the fact of the success of the band (which openly celebrated African culture in a bi-racial band) a thorn in the flesh of a political system based on racial separation, the band also produced some explicitly political songs. For example, the album Work for All (which includes a song with the same title) picked up on South African trade union slogans in the mid-1980s. As a result of their political messages and racial integration, Clegg and other band members were arrested several times and concerts routinely broken up.
Despite being ignored and often harassed by the South African government at home, Juluka were able to tour internationally, playing in Europe, Canada, and the United States, and had two platinum and five gold albums, becoming an international success. The group was disbanded in 1985, when Mchunu returned to his rural home to care for his family.
Together with the black musician and dancer Dudu Zulu, Clegg went on to form his second inter-racial band, Savuka, in 1986, continuing to blend African music with European influences. The group's first album, Third World Child, broke international sales records in several European countries, including France. The band went on to record several more albums, including Heat, Dust and Dreams, which received a Grammy Award nomination. Johnny Clegg and Savuka played both at home and abroad, even though Clegg's refusal to stop performing in apartheid-era South Africa created tensions with the international anti-apartheid movement and led to his expulsion from the British Musicians' Union. In one instance, the band drew such a large crowd in Lyon that Michael Jackson cancelled a concert there, complaining that Clegg and his group had "stolen all his fans". In 1993, the band dissolved after Dudu Zulu was shot and killed while attempting to mediate a taxi war.
Briefly reunited in the mid-1990s, Clegg and Mchunu reformed Juluka, released a new album, and toured throughout the world in 1996 with King Sunny Ade. Since then, Clegg has recorded several solo albums. His touring schedule was abbreviated in 2017 after undergoing surgery for pancreatic cancer, and Clegg performed his last scheduled tour date in Maritius in October of 2018. During one concert in 1999, he was joined onstage by South African President Nelson Mandela, who danced as he sang the protest song Savuka had dedicated to him, "Asimbonanga". Asimbonanga became something of an anthem for the Mass Democratic Movement's umbrella organisation, the United Democratic Front. During Mandela's illness and death in 2013, the video of the concert attracted considerable media attention outside South Africa.
His song "Scatterlings of Africa" gave him his only entries in the UK Singles Chart to date, reaching No. 44 in February 1983 with Juluka and 75 in May 1987 as Johnny Clegg and Savuka. The following year the song was featured on the soundtrack to the 1988 Oscar-winning film Rain Man.
His song "Life is a Magic Thing" was featured in Ferngully.
Savuka's song "Dela" was featured on the soundtrack of the 1997 film George of the Jungle and its 2003 sequel, while "Great Heart" was the title song for the 1986 film Jock of the Bushveld. "Cruel, Crazy, Beautiful World" was featured in the 1990 film Opportunity Knocks and 1991 film Career Opportunities. "Great Heart" was also the end credits song for the 2000 Disney movie Whispers: An Elephant's Tale. In 2002 Clegg provided several songs and incidental background music for Jane Goodall's "Wild Chimpanzees" DVD. Included in the extras on the disc are rare scenes of Clegg in the recording studio.
Jimmy Buffett recorded "Great Heart" for his 1988 album, Hot Water.
He co-wrote "Diggah Tunnah" with Lebo M. for Disney's 2004 direct-to-video animated film The Lion King 1½.
Clegg was awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres (Knight of Arts and Letters) by the French Government in 1991.
In 2004, he was voted 23rd in the SABC3's Great South Africans.
In 2007, Clegg received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of the Witwatersrand.
In 2011, Clegg received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from City University of New York School of Law.
In 2012, Clegg received the Order of Ikhamanga,Silver as part of the National Orders ceremony. This award is the highest honour a citizen can receive in South Africa. It was presented by President Jacob Zuma.
In 2012, Clegg received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
In 2013, Clegg received an honorary Doctorate in Music from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
In 2015, Clegg was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Clegg's son Jesse Clegg is also a recording artist. Displaying a style markedly different from that of his father, in 2008 he released his debut album When I Wake Up. As a rock musician, the younger Clegg has quickly built up a following, with the album being nominated for two South African Music Awards.
Clegg was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015. Clegg died in his Johannesburg home on 16 July 2019.
Bibliography
Clegg, Jonathan (1981). Phil Bonner (ed.). ""Ukubuyisa Isidumbu", "Bringing back the body": An examination of the ideology of vengeance in the Msinga and Mpofana Rural Locations, 1822–1944". Working Papers in Southern African Studies. Johannesburg: Ravan Press. 2.
Clegg, Jonathan (1981). Andrew Tracey (ed.). "The Music of Zulu Immigrant Workers in Johannesburg: A Focus on Concertina and Guitar". Papers presented at the Symposium on Ethnomusicology. Grahamstown: International Library of African Music.
Clegg, Jonathan (1982). Andrew Tracey (ed.). "Towards an understanding of African Dance: The Zulu Isishameni Style". Papers read at Second Symposium on Ethnomusicology, 24–26 September 1981, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. Grahamstown: Institute of Social and Economic Research.
Woza Friday
Johnny Clegg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Webaba, lo msebenzi ubhokile
Webaba, nemali ayingeni
Engathi leli veki lingaphela
Webaba, webaba
Webaba, kunzima kulomhlaba
Webaba, lo msebenzi ubhokile
Engathi leli veki lingaphela
Webaba, webaba
Ngithi woza, woza Friday, my darling
Woza Friday, umsebenzi ubhokile
Woza, woza Friday, my sweetie
Woza Friday, ilanga lingiqomile wena
Webaba, kunzima kulomhlaba
Webaba, lo msebenzi ubhokile
Webaba, nemali ayingeni
Hawu 'ngathi leli viki lingaphela
Webaba, webaba
Webaba, kunzima kulomhlaba
Webaba, lo msebenzi ubhokile
Webaba, nemali ayingeni
Sengathi leli viki lingaphela
Webaba, webaba
Hawu, ngithi woza, woza Friday, my darling
Woza Friday, umsebenzi ubhokile
Woza, woza Friday, my sweetie
Woza Friday, ilanga lingiqomile wena
Hawu, ngithi woza, woza Friday, my darling
Woza Friday, umsebenzi ubhokile
Woza, woza Friday, my sweetie
Woza Friday, ilanga lingiqomile wena
Goodbye, I'm going now (I'm going now)
Goodbye, I'm going now (I'm going now)
Goodbye, I'm going now (I'm going now)
Goodbye, I'm going now (I'm going now)
Tomorrow morning (I'm going now)
Tomorrow morning (I'm going now)
Tomorrow morning (I'm going now)
Tomorrow morning (I'm going now)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza Friday)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza woza)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza Friday)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza woza)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza Friday)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza woza)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza woza)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza Friday)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza woza)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza Friday)
Johnny Clegg's song "Woza Friday" expresses the harsh realities of life in Africa. The lyrics repeatedly state "Webaba, kunzima kulomhlaba" which means "Father, it is difficult in this world". This phrase highlights the struggles and challenges that people face in their daily lives, specifically with regards to work and money. The line "Lo msebenzi ubhokile" translates to "This job has become difficult", pointing to the difficulty of earning a living in a harsh economic environment where jobs are scarce and pay is low. The lyrics go on to describe the lack of money, with the line "nemali ayingeni" meaning "and there is no money inside".
Despite the dire situation that the song describes, there is a glimmer of hope in the repeated refrain of "Woza Friday". The song encourages people to hold on until Friday, when they can enjoy a night out and briefly forget their troubles. The line "ilanga lingiqomile wena" means "the sun is setting for you", indicating that the weekend has arrived and it is time to rest and enjoy oneself. In this way, "Woza Friday" becomes an anthem for those who struggle through their week, looking forward to a brief reprieve on the weekend.
Overall, "Woza Friday" is a poignant commentary on the harsh realities of life in Africa and the need for hope and joy amid the struggles. It encourages people to hold on and look forward to the small moments of happiness that they can find.
Line by Line Meaning
Webaba, kunzima kulomhlaba
Father, the world is a difficult place
Webaba, lo msebenzi ubhokile
Father, work is tough
Webaba, nemali ayingeni
Father, money is lacking
Engathi leli veki lingaphela
It seems like this week won't end
Webaba, webaba
Father, father
Ngithi woza, woza Friday, my darling
I say come, come Friday, my love
Woza Friday, umsebenzi ubhokile
Come Friday, work is tough
Woza, woza Friday, my sweetie
Come, come Friday, my dear
Woza Friday, ilanga lingiqomile wena
Come Friday, I am exhausted (because of) you
Hawu 'ngathi leli viki lingaphela
Oh it seems like this week won't end
Hawu, ngithi woza, woza Friday, my darling
Oh, I say come, come Friday, my love
Goodbye, I'm going now (I'm going now)
Goodbye, I'm leaving now
Tomorrow morning (I'm going now)
Tomorrow morning, I'm leaving now
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza Friday)
Goodbye, I'm leaving now (Come Friday)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza woza)
Goodbye, I'm leaving now (Come, come)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza Friday)
Goodbye, I'm leaving now (Come Friday)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza woza)
Goodbye, I'm leaving now (Come, come)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza Friday)
Goodbye, I'm leaving now (Come Friday)
Goodbye, I'm going now (Woza woza)
Goodbye, I'm leaving now (Come, come)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RLaraMoore
James Hendry sings Woza Friday
very well.
~.~
Woza Friday lyrics
(as relayed from a friend on chat):
Webaba kunzima kulomhlaba
(Father this world is a difficult place)
Webaba lomsebenzi ubhokile
(Father the work I do is unending)
Webaba nemali ayingeni
(Father the money I earn is insignificant)
Sengathi leliviki lingaphela, webaba, webaba
(It would be great if this week would come to and [end?, an end?]. Father, father)
Woza woza Friday mayi dali
(Come come Friday my darling)
Woza Friday umsebenzi ubhukile
(Come on Friday work is unending)
Woza, woza Friday mayi swidi
(Come, come Friday my sweet thing)
Woza Friday yilanga elingqomile wena
(Come Friday the day that I am engaged to. [ie. 'my true love']
Goodbye, I'm going now
Tomorrow morning, tomorrow morning
@chazzcummings2534
RIP Johnny Clegg❤❤❤❤
@lorenzorenzmann6631
Let's have come Fridays when this great song will be recognized more!
@lorenzorenzmann6631
One day this great song will make it to the top. Let's wait and hope and see. Love and peace to all Johnny Clegg friends!
@MrDoenerliebhaber
🇹🇷 🇩🇪
@xolanikhumalo9267
It's Friday today...so let's be happy❤❤❤😂😂
@JW-vd4il
I thought of this yesterday but didn't get a chance to play it. Saturday works too! 😂
hope you're having a happy day, whatever day, everybody! 🙂❤️
@Profedrybicki
Simply the best ever go-to Friday song. And one of the best things Juluka ever did 🙂
@aprilstewart5929
I still can't handle that he's gone.
@RK-ln6kg
I play this every pay week at work. All my colleagues just look at me. 😄
@JW-vd4il
responding to this year old comment...
Do they like it now or really tired of you? 😂
I hope they came around or you are working with more fun people. I always like when someone wants to bring up the mood even if it's not a song I knew.
hope you have some fun day today, somewhere!