Already in his youth, Johnny Clegg, a white, English-speaking person with what he called a "secular Jewish" upbringing in the UK, Israel, Rhodesia, Zambia, and South Africa, became interested in Zulu street music and took part in traditional Zulu dance competitions.
As a young man, in the early stages of his musical career, he combined his music with the study of anthropology, a subject which he also taught for a while at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where he was influenced, among others, by the work of David Webster, a social anthropologist who was assassinated in 1989.
Clegg formed the first inter-racial South African band, Juluka, with gardener and Zulu street musician Sipho Mchunu. Because it was illegal for inter-racial bands to perform in South Africa during apartheid, their first album Universal Men received no air play, but it became a word-of-mouth hit.
Juluka's / Clegg'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 non-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-80's. Even more explicit was the (later) Savuka album "Third World Child" in 1987, with songs like "Asimbonanga", which called for the release of Nelson Mandela, and which called out the names of three representative martyrs of the South African liberation struggle: Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge, and Neil Aggett.
The following albums "Shadow Man" (which sold 250 000 copies within a week after it's release went on to sell more than 1 000 000 copies in France alone)[1], and "Cruel Crazy, Beautiful World" were dealing with more romantic topics, including "Cruel Crazy Beautiful World", where a father gives a message to his son, "Dela" where the very essence of love is explored, and more politically focused songs, such as "Warsaw 1943" and "One (Hu)'man one vote" which go back to political messages. The blend of topics is somehow confusing at first but gives an idea of the creative process underlying it, while the music and lyrics retain all the talent of the singer and his band. "Third World Child" and "Shadow Man" occupied 1st and 2nd position respectively in France and became the most successful foreign band in France and "Shadow Man" topped the charts in Montreaux, Canada.[2] During the prime of the band in 1988 Michael Jackson had to cancel his show as he attracted fewer audience as compared to Johnny Clegg and Savuka.[3] Their last album "Heat Dust and Dream" was nominated for a Grammy Award for best album in the category of World Music.[4]
Juluka were able to tour in Europe, and had two platinum and five gold albums, becoming an international success. Juluka was disbanded in 1986, when Mchunu was asked by his father to return home and herd the family goats, although Mchunu made some solo recordings afterwards. Clegg went on to form his second inter-racial band, Savuka, continuing to blend African music with European, especially Celtic, influences.
Briefly reunited with Mchunu in the mid-90's, Clegg reformed Juluka and toured throughout the world as the opening act for King Sunny Ade, as well as headliner performances.
The name Juluka is based on the Zulu word for "sweat", and Savuka is based on the Zulu word for "we have risen" or "we have awakened".
Clegg and his band often make an international tour during May-August (South African winter). However, the tours are usually limited to France and surrounding countries. In June 2004, the Johnny Clegg Band toured North America for the first time in over eight years, doing 22 concerts in one month. Even though they had no albums for sale in North America during those eight years, and no significant media coverage, they filled most of their venues. At the close of the final concert at the Keswick Theater in Philadelphia, Clegg stated that he was amazed at the reception they had gotten, and promised to return the following year with a full band. He then thanked his Internet fans for their support.
The band returned to North America in July 2005, with dates booked throughout the U.S. and Canada. Clegg's new album One Life was remixed at Real World Studios in Bath, England, and released on October 30th, 2006 in the UK.
In 2004 he was voted 23rd in the SABC3's Great South Africans.
Simple Things
Johnny Clegg & Juluka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stars infest the heavens in the southern skies
Otter swim against the river, whisper in the water
The stars are dead and what you see are shining lies
Body-smoke tie the night in a misty web of blue
Simple things are all we have left to trust
An apple, a horse, some milk and a little bread
Will help time stop slipping through our fingers
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
What you got left to trust? (M-oh-hum)
Stones in the dust! (M-oh-hum)
A simple thing you got left to trust (M-oh-hum)
Someone in your heart (M-oh-hum)
Crickets learn the final chorus of their night song
Standing at your door 'cause I have nowhere else to go
Tried to fill the empty spaces with my songs
Came here 'cause I know you sometimes also feel this way
I brought an apple and a horse, some milk and a little bread
These simple things are all we have left to trust
I hope I will not find you smiling in a dream
I've come too far to face again what I have passed
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
What you got left to trust? (M-oh-hum)
Stones in the dust! (M-oh-hum)
A simple thing you got left to trust (M-oh-hum)
Someone in your heart, singing (M-oh-hum)
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
M-oh-hum-oh, M-oh-hum-oh
What you got left to trust? (M-oh-hum)
Stones in the dust! (M-oh-hum)
A simple thing you got left to trust (M-oh-hum)
Someone in your heart, singing (M-oh-hum)
What you got left to trust? (M-oh-hum)
Stones in the dust! (M-oh-hum)
A simple thing you got left to trust (M-oh-hum)
Someone in your heart (M-oh-hum)
The lyrics of 'Simple Things' by Johnny Clegg & Juluka convey a strong message of the significance of simple things in life. The song starts with various natural elements like rainforests, mountains, stars, and otters. These elements are a constant reminder of the beauty in the world and how simple things can truly bring joy to life. However, the lyrics also highlight how things may not always be what they appear to be, and how simplicity is a rare luxury in this ever-changing world.
The second verse of the song talks about the importance of these simple things in life. These things that we tend to overlook and take for granted, like an apple, a horse, some milk, and bread, are all we have left to trust. The lyrics suggest that in the chaos of life, it is the simple things that we can count on to bring us comfort and stability. The final chorus is about finding someone to share these simple things with, a reminder that having someone to love is the most important thing in life.
Overall, 'Simple Things' is a powerful call to appreciate the beauty in the world around us and find joy in life's little pleasures. It's a reminder that sometimes the most profound things in life are the simplest.
Line by Line Meaning
Rain forest talking to the dragon-mountain-moon
Nature communicates with itself in a unique way
Stars infest the heavens in the southern skies
The night sky is full of twinkling stars
Otter swim against the river, whisper in the water
Water animals have a special relationship with their environment
The stars are dead and what you see are shining lies
What we perceive is not always reality
Body-smoke tie the night in a misty web of blue
The night is mysterious and enchanting
Simple things are all we have left to trust
In a complex world, simple things can provide comfort and stability
An apple, a horse, some milk and a little bread
Even these basic necessities can bring joy and contentment
Will help time stop slipping through our fingers
Appreciating simple things can help us slow down and savor life
What you got left to trust? (M-oh-hum)
What can you rely on in this uncertain world?
Stones in the dust! (M-oh-hum)
Perhaps nothing seems reliable or trustworthy anymore, even the things we thought were solid
A simple thing you got left to trust (M-oh-hum)
In the face of uncertainty, holding onto the simplicity and beauty of life can offer a sense of grounding
Someone in your heart (M-oh-hum)
Love and personal connections can provide a source of stability and hope
Crickets learn the final chorus of their night song
The natural world has its own rhythms and cycles
Standing at your door 'cause I have nowhere else to go
Sometimes we turn to others when we feel lost or alone
Tried to fill the empty spaces with my songs
Music can be a way to fill emotional gaps and express oneself
Came here 'cause I know you sometimes also feel this way
Connection with others who share our experiences can be comforting
These simple things are all we have left to trust
The beauty and simplicity of life can be a source of stability
I hope I will not find you smiling in a dream
This may be a way of saying that he wants her to be present and not lost in her own dreams and thoughts
I've come too far to face again what I have passed
Perhaps he is referring to a painful past that he does not wish to revisit
Someone in your heart, singing (M-oh-hum)
Love and human connection can lift our spirits and offer solace in hard times
Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: JONATHAN PAUL CLEGG, MVUSENI MCHUNU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thundaGawd
This song, never gets tired for me.
@jason.eschumann6144
flipping brilliant.... one of South Africa's best..
@stevebuttner4642
"the stars are dead and what you see are shining lies" Sipho definitely penned this one. The pain of modern knowledge, astrophysics and all that shit, while throwing away all that was simple, that tied us to the earth.
@susanlarhubarbe9475
Steve Buttner Sipho Mchunu and Johnny Clegg were co-writers on this one I believe. Beautiful song and so profound in its ‘simplicity’ 😍😍❤️
@nanbanjinmachado4353
i love
@evah787
Great! 😊