Crocodile Love
Johnny Clegg and Juluka and Savuka Lyrics

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Umoya wami onakele kunsela elangena
Lapha enhlizweni yami
Umoya wami onakele kunsela elangena
Lapha enhlizweni yami
Laqegeza lathatha uthando lwami lonke
Ngasala ngingenalutho
Ngasala ngingenalutho

I remember the summer but not the rain,
A memory of fire but not the pain
There's a vision in my head of a gun on the bed
A message in your eyes which your lips never said
If you touch me here I will fly
Like a bleeding dove
Oooh I want your crocodile love

I'm on the runway and I'm ready to fly
I know I'm going to find you under the sky
Oooh yea, it's a mighty fine day
Oooh yea, you are coming my way
With your crocodile love
I want your crocodile love

Umoya wami onakele nansi inkinga
Isingena enhlizweni yami
Umoya wami onakele nansi inkinga
Isingena enhlizweni yami

Inyakaza ngaphakathi ingwenya
Ifuna ukungiqeda yami
Inyakaza ngaphakathi
Inyakaza ngaphakathi ingwenya

I never quite know what you're going to do
Heal my soul or cut me through
Like a sacrificial lamb
Like a green marine in Vietnam
If you touch me now I will fly like a bleeding dove
Oooh I want your crocodile love

I'm on the runway, and I'm ready to fly
I know I'll meet you under the sky
Oh yea, I'll come from above
Oh yea, I want your crocodile love

This is not the one
This is the one
This is not the one

This is not the one
This is the one
This is not the one

This is not the one ( I want your crocodile love )
This is the one
This is not the one

This is not the one
This is the one
This is not the one

This is not the one ( I want your crocodile love )
This is the one
This is not the one

This is the one ( I want you're crocodile smile )
This is the one ( I want you're crocodile lies )
You're such a crocodile, with you're crocodile eyes
You're crocodile smile

You're crocodile eyes
I want you're crocodile love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Johnny Clegg's Crocodile Love are about the intense and complicated nature of a love affair. The singer is confessing their love for someone who has the power to either heal them or hurt them, much like the unpredictable nature of a crocodile. The use of the "Umoya wami," a Zulu phrase that translates to "my spirit" or "my breath," suggests that this relationship is essential to the singer's life force or well-being. The lyrics also hint at a past traumatic experience with a gun that the singer can't forget. Despite the risks, the singer is still drawn to this person, and they're ready to chase after them, even if it means taking flight.

The repetition of the phrase "this is not the one" implies that the relationship has its ups and downs, that at times it feels right, but at other times, it causes more harm than good. But the singer can't deny the allure of their partner's crocodile love, which is both beautiful and terrifying. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of intense, all-consuming passion that comes with risks and regrets.

Line by Line Meaning

Umoya wami onakele kunsela elangena Lapha enhlizweni yami
My soul is crying out for something to come into my heart

Laqegeza lathatha uthando lwami lonke Ngasala ngingenalutho Ngasala ngingenalutho
I took off all my clothes and gave you all my love, leaving me with nothing

I remember the summer but not the rain, A memory of fire but not the pain
I hold on to the good memories, but not the bad ones that came with it

There's a vision in my head of a gun on the bed A message in your eyes which your lips never said
I can see the hidden danger in this relationship which you refuse to speak of

If you touch me here I will fly Like a bleeding dove Oooh I want your crocodile love
Your touch makes me feel alive, even if it hurts me in the end

I'm on the runway and I'm ready to fly I know I'm going to find you under the sky Oooh yea, it's a mighty fine day Oooh yea, you are coming my way With your crocodile love I want your crocodile love
I'm preparing myself to take a leap of faith and chase after this dangerous love

Umoya wami onakele nansi inkinga Isingena enhlizweni yami Umoya wami onakele nansi inkinga Isingena enhlizweni yami
My soul is burdened by a problem which is weighing heavily on me

Inyakaza ngaphakathi ingwenya Ifuna ukungiqeda yami Inyakaza ngaphakathi Inyakaza ngaphakathi ingwenya
I am trapped in a dangerous situation with no way out

I never quite know what you're going to do Heal my soul or cut me through Like a sacrificial lamb Like a green marine in Vietnam If you touch me now I will fly like a bleeding dove Oooh I want your crocodile love
I'm never sure if your actions will heal me or harm me, I feel helpless like a sacrifice on a battlefield

This is not the one This is the one This is not the one This is not the one This is the one This is not the one This is not the one ( I want your crocodile love ) This is the one This is not the one This is not the one This is the one This is not the one ( I want your crocodile love ) This is the one This is the one ( I want you're crocodile smile ) This is the one ( I want you're crocodile lies ) You're such a crocodile, with you're crocodile eyes You're crocodile smile You're crocodile eyes I want you're crocodile love
I am sometimes unsure if this is the right person for me, but I am drawn to their charm and danger, wanting their love despite the risk it poses

Lyrics © RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing, O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: JONATHAN PAUL CLEGG, MVUSENI MCHUNU

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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