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Lucky Dube (born August 3, 1964, died October 18, 2007) was a reggae musician from Johannesburg, South Africa. He was named Lucky because when he was born in poor health, and the doctors thought he would die. But he survived, so was named Lucky. In his youth, Lucky lived with many different family members, singing in bars and in church. He eventually formed a band with some friends, but they could not afford to purchase instruments. Eventually, Lucky wrote a play which he and his bandmates performed, earning enough money to buy a guitar. Their band was then called Skyway, and they played in the mbaqanga style.
Two years after Skyway's formation, Lucky joined Richard Siluma's Love Brothers. He stayed with them for several years, before switching to reggae in the early 1980s. His first major success in that field came at the influential Sunsplash festival in Jamaica.
Lucky's "Together as One" was the first song by a black artist to be played on a white radio station in South Africa. His two most popular albums, Prisoner and Slave, are among the most renowned and best-selling in South Africa's history. One of Lucky's favourite singers was the late Peter Tosh.
On the 18th of October 2007, Lucky was shot dead in an attempted car jacking in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Discography
Rastas Never Dies
Think About The Children
(The Above Two available on 2on1 - Lucky Dube Rastas Never Dies/Think About The Children (2000))
Slave (1989)
Prisoner (1990)
Together as one (1992)
House of exile (1992)
Captured Live (1993)
Victims (1993)
Trinity (1995)
Serious reggae business (1996)
Taxman (1997)
The Way It Is (1999)
The Rough Guide To Lucky Dube (2001)
Soul Taker (2001)
The other side (2005)
Respect (2006)
Group Areas Act
Lucky Dube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If it's a lie (Don't tell me the truth)
Cause what the truth will do
It's gonna hurt my heart
Being in the darkness
For so long now
Did I hear you well last night on TV you said
Group areas act is going
Apartheid is going
Group areas act is going
Apartheid is going
Ina me eye yeah
Me sight the future so bright
I mean I my eyes
I see the future so bright
That the blackie manna's coming a together with the whitey manna
The whitey manna a coming a together with the black man yeah
I say the blackie manna's coming a together with the whitey manna
The whitey manna a coming a together with the black man
If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up)
If it's a lie (Don't tell me the truth)
Gazing at my crystal ball
I see the future so bright
The fighting's gonna stop now
We'll forgive and forget
I know Mr President
You can't please everyone
But everybody liked it
When you said
Group areas act is going
Apartheid is going
Group areas act is going
Apartheid is going
And the blackie manna's coming a together with the whitey manna
The whitey manna a coming a together with the black man
The blackie manna's coming a together with the whitey manna
I say he blackie manna's coming a together with the whitey manna
The whitey manna a coming a together with the black man
If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up)
If it's a lie (Don't tell me the truth)
If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up)
If it's a lie (Don't tell me the truth)
If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up)
If it's a lie (Now tell Iiar Iair the truth)
If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up)
If it's a lie (Now tell Iiar Iiar the truth)
If I'm dreaming
"Lucky Dube's "Group Areas Act" is a powerful anti-apartheid anthem that reflects the political tensions and social injustices faced by black South Africans during apartheid. The lyrics convey the deep desire of the singer to see the end of apartheid and the segregationist policies that have led to a society divided by race, where freedom of movement and association is denied based on skin color.
The first few lines suggest that the singer is not ready to wake up from the dream of a color-blind society. The lines "If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up) If it's a lie (Don't tell me the truth)" indicate his reluctance to accept the harsh reality of apartheid. The singer goes on to express his hope for a better tomorrow, a future where black and white people can live in harmony, without the shackles of segregationist policies.
The President's speech on television is referenced in the lyrics, where he declares that the Group Areas Act and apartheid are going to be dismantled. The singer sees this as a glimmer of hope for a brighter future, where black and white people will come together and forgive each other, without the scars of the past. The repeated line "The blackie manna's coming a together with the whitey manna" symbolizes the unity of all races in a post-apartheid South Africa.
Overall, Lucky Dube's "Group Areas Act" is an uplifting and hopeful song that inspired many during the struggle for liberation. The song remains a powerful reminder of the atrocities committed under apartheid and the bravery of those who fought for freedom and justice."
Line by Line Meaning
If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up)
I am so hopeful that this change is real and lasting that I don't want to wake up from this dream-like state.
If it's a lie (Don't tell me the truth)
I want to hold onto this hope and positivity, and revealing that it's not true will only hurt me more.
Cause what the truth will do
Discovering that the change is not real will be devastating.
It's gonna hurt my heart
I will be heartbroken if this turns out to be false.
Being in the darkness
Living under apartheid and the Group Areas Act was like being in darkness.
For so long now
This oppressive system has been in place for far too long.
Mr President
Lucky Dube is addressing the leader of his country.
Did I hear you well last night on TV you said
Lucky Dube heard the president say something that gave him hope.
Group areas act is going
The Group Areas Act, which allowed for the forced removal of people based on their race, is being abolished.
Apartheid is going
Apartheid, the system of racial segregation and discrimination, is coming to an end.
The blackie manna's coming a together with the whitey manna
People from different racial backgrounds are finally coming together.
The whitey manna a coming a together with the black man yeah
White people and black people are coming together.
Gazing at my crystal ball
Lucky Dube is envisioning a brighter future.
I see the future so bright
Lucky Dube is full of hope for the future.
The fighting's gonna stop now
The violence and conflict that marked apartheid will finally come to an end.
We'll forgive and forget
People will be able to move on from the pain and trauma of the past.
You can't please everyone
The president cannot make everyone happy with his actions.
But everybody liked it
The president's announcement about the end of apartheid and the Group Areas Act was well-received.
If it's a lie (Now tell Iiar Iair the truth)
Lucky Dube is asking for the truth about the future.
If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up)
Lucky Dube still hopes that this positive change is real.
If it's a lie (Now tell Iiar Iiar the truth)
Lucky Dube wants to know the truth, even if it's painful.
If I'm dreaming (Don't wake me up)
Lucky Dube is still hopeful and does not want to wake up from this dream.
If it's a lie (Now tell Iiar Iiar the truth)
Lucky Dube is seeking the truth about the future.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LUCKY PHILLIP DUBE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@akekelwamulasikwanda745
Sending hugs from Zambia. Will always love Luc (RIP Legend)❤🫂
@LincolnHart-ff4bg
Why this guy not a national. Hero, this is great, we miss you lucky,. R. I. P, lucky, we love you, pain in my heart for you,
@wynekararuu5941
Bum Bum lucky dube we miss your vibes till today
@joseykachiza3466
By the time this song was released I was only few months old. Fast-forward 2022, now listening to this songs with somewhat a picture of what it was like to live during these days. The song and the joy of only hearing freedom news presented in the lyrics make much sense. Honestly this song really touches my heart and souls. He was the true Legend, an advocate for peace and equality. #BlackLivesMatter. RIP Rasta man
@memoryhendrix8478
2023 and many more years to come ❤️
@theotherside8481
A true visionary and a legend. Miss you always. Gone but not forgotten. Rest in Power Lucky!
@tsitsimakombe7433
Lucky Dube, u will always remain my hero. Continue resting in peace.
@geoffreykatusiime9437
RIP my rastafarian Dube
@muramuzimusa8302
I love you lucky D
You may be no more with us but the world loved you
RIP
@akekelwamulasikwanda745
We love you Lucky. Sending hugs to SA from Zambia
RIP.❤️🥺🥺