A musician of a Leonard Zhakata mold, the 20t… Read Full Bio ↴Born: 1961. Died: 1997
A musician of a Leonard Zhakata mold, the 20th century's final decade saw Leonard Dembo emerge as the latest in a line of domestic superstars. Some consider his music to be classic Zimbabwean rhumba, while other feel its sungura. One thing is for certain; no matter how it is classified, it is good! Despite starting his musical career in 1985, Leonard Dembo didn't hit full-stride until the 1990s. The former cattle herder became insanely popular with his 1992 hit Chitekete, in which his lyrics drew upon traditional Shona sayings. According to Afropop, the track was so popular (it sold more than 100 000 copies) that it became a standard wedding song. Dembo and his band, Barura Express, stuck to their guitar band-sound, pumping out both danceable and singable hits. Sadly, tragedy struck as the band hit full stride. Dembo died before his music had the opportunity to truly reach international audiences.
Despite the death of their talismanic leader, Barura Express has continued touring and recording without Dembo.
Zii-zii
Leonard Dembo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chiiko chauri kuronga
Zvawakangoti zii zii mudiwa wangu
Chiiko chauri kuronga
Zvawakongoti zii zii uriko kure
Chiiko chauri kuronga
Zvawakangoti zii zii utiko kure
Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu
Chiiko chauri kufunga
Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu
Chiiko chaunomboronga
Zvaunongozofara kana ndauya
Chiiko chauri kuita
Kana usisandide nditaurirewo
Kana usisandide ndinyeurirewo
Kana usisandide nditaurirewo
Zvawakangoti zii zii mudiwa wangu
Chiiko chauri kufunga
Zvawakangoti zii zii madhiya wangu
Chiiko chauri kuronga
Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu
Chiiko chauri kufunga
Zvaunozongofara kana ndauya
Chiiko chauri kuita
Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu chiiko chinokunakidza
Zvimwe hauchandide nditaurirewo
Zvimwe hauchandide ndinyeurirewo
Zvimwe hauchandide nditaurirewo
Zvimwe hauchandide ndinyeurirewo
Zvimwe hauchandide nditaurirewo
Zvimwe hauchandide ndinyeurirewo
The song "Zii-zii" by Leonard Dembo is a beautiful love song that talks about a lover who is confused and doesn't know what to do, but still asks for the comfort and reassurance of their partner, who seems to have left them. The repetition of "zii-zii" throughout the song adds to the mystery and confusion that the singer is experiencing, as they try to understand what their lover is thinking and feeling.
The chorus, "Zvawakangoti zii zii mudiwa wangu, chiiko chauri kuronga," which means "You keep saying zii zii, my love, what are you thinking?" is repeated throughout the song to emphasize the confusion that the singer is feeling. The next verse, "Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu, chiiko chauri kufunga," which means "You left me with my thoughts, what are you planning?" expresses the pain of being left alone with one's thoughts and the desire for clarity.
Line by Line Meaning
Zvawakangoti zii zii mudiwa wangu
You used to say 'zii zii', my love
Chiiko chauri kuronga
What is troubling you?
Zvawakangoti zii zii mudiwa wangu
You used to say 'zii zii', my love
Chiiko chauri kuronga
What is troubling you?
Zvawakongoti zii zii uriko kure
You used to be here, saying 'zii zii'
Chiiko chauri kuronga
What is troubling you?
Zvawakangoti zii zii utiko kure
You used to have love here, saying 'zii zii'
Chiiko chauri kuronga
What is troubling you?
Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu
You left me starving
Chiiko chauri kufunga
What are you thinking?
Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu
You left me starving
Chiiko chaunomboronga
What are you trying to achieve?
Zvaunongozofara kana ndauya
Will you be happy when I come back?
Chiiko chauri kuita
What will you do?
Kana usisandide nditaurirewo
If you don't mind, can I talk to you?
Kana usisandide ndinyeurirewo
If you don't mind, can I cry to you?
Kana usisandide nditaurirewo
If you don't mind, can I talk to you?
Zvawakangoti zii zii mudiwa wangu
You used to say 'zii zii', my love
Chiiko chauri kufunga
What are you thinking?
Zvawakangoti zii zii madhiya wangu
You used to say 'zii zii', my love
Chiiko chauri kuronga
What is troubling you?
Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu
You left me starving
Chiiko chauri kufunga
What are you thinking?
Zvaunozongofara kana ndauya
Will you be happy when I come back?
Chiiko chauri kuita
What will you do?
Chinguri wakandisiya dhiya wangu chiiko chinokunakidza
You left me starving, what do you gain from it?
Zvimwe hauchandide nditaurirewo
You don't want me to talk to you about some things
Zvimwe hauchandide ndinyeurirewo
You don't want me to cry to you about some things
Zvimwe hauchandide nditaurirewo
You don't want me to talk to you about some things
Zvimwe hauchandide ndinyeurirewo
You don't want me to cry to you about some things
Zvimwe hauchandide nditaurirewo
You don't want me to talk to you about some things
Zvimwe hauchandide ndinyeurirewo
You don't want me to cry to you about some things
Writer(s): Leonard Dembo
Contributed by Noah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ih9dr1lp1f
Who is with me 2024 ❤ listening to this tune let's gather here
@rivaldotom2188
We together
@stefanustitus
Who is going to listen thise song with me until 2024??I am from Namibia🇳🇦
@rivaldotom2188
We together
@teekayvado1929
Who is with me 2023 listening to this tune let's gather here
@partsonngwindingwindi7275
Ndirikutoidambura izvozvi zii zii, vakasiya nhaka ! Dembo the best of all time
@tynash6492
🖐️
@jonahmutemwaimanga2892
This man 's muzic is never old . At 56 IAM still enjoying it. Hot!
@dinochibesa7374
Am with you dear........ May his soul continue resting in internal peace.
@OneMantleMagwaneng
😩😩😩