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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)
Peanut Butter
Lucky Dube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm a educationist
Are you called to squeeze.
I'm going to squeeze from ten
And my father is a lawyer is he
My mother is a standard 9, 10, 15
Today my mother is in Pretoria Hospital
And me I'm a doctor... You know ahhhhh, sometimes a messenger
Ayooo!! Say...
Freedom must one with a judge
People all over the world, I'm confused
People are fighting all over the world
A black man says it a white man, white man says it's a black man, coloreds says its Indians, Indians says it's everyone.
They don't know exactly, what is happening if one take life
Right now some people said Lucky Dube is fighting for the country, but is not what I'm fighting for,
But I'm fighting for is this right here, because reggae music is music with the message every time,
My message to you is:
Yeahhh yeahh yeah...
I don't want no peanut save
I want my Africa to be saved - keep on telling you that-
I don't want no peanut save - all I need is-
All I want my Africa (South Africa) to be saved Uhhhh... uhhhh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh...
The lyrics to Lucky Dube's song "Peanut Butter" can be interpreted as a commentary on the social and political issues plaguing South Africa during the time it was released. The first verse seems to delve into the storyteller's background and family history, with references to his father being a lawyer and his mother attending school up to a certain grade level. The reference to the storyteller being a doctor and a messenger represents the aspirations and struggles of young black South Africans during that time period. The second verse goes on to address the issues of racial tension and injustice, with lines about people fighting and not knowing exactly what is happening. The storyteller then declares that he is not fighting for the country, but for the message that reggae music brings - specifically, the message of saving Africa.
The chorus is a simple but powerful statement - the storyteller does not want peanuts, but rather wants South Africa to be saved. This can represent a desire for long-lasting change and true equality among all races in South Africa. It also serves as a call to action for listeners to join in the fight for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Uhhh ladies and gentlemen you know me?
Do you recognize me? I am an educator.
I'm a educationist
My profession is education.
Are you called to squeeze.
Do you have the ability to squeeze (i.e. make money)?
I'm going to squeeze from ten
I plan to make a lot of money.
And my father is a lawyer is he
My father's profession is law.
My mother is a standard 9, 10, 15
My mother received a standard education levels 9, 10, and 15.
Today my mother is in Pretoria Hospital
My mother is currently receiving medical treatment in Pretoria Hospital.
And me I'm a doctor... You know ahhhhh, sometimes a messenger
I am a doctor, but sometimes I also work as a messenger.
I read the word of...
I am knowledgeable about...
Ayooo!! Say...
Hey!! Listen to me...
Freedom must one with a judge
Freedom must be upheld by the justice system (i.e. the court).
People all over the world, I'm confused
I am uncertain about what is happening in different parts of the world.
People are fighting all over the world
There is conflict happening in many regions across the globe.
A black man says it a white man, white man says it's a black man, coloreds says its Indians, Indians says it's everyone.
Various groups of people are blaming different ethnicities for the conflict.
They don't know exactly, what is happening if one take life
The reason behind the violence is unclear.
Right now some people said Lucky Dube is fighting for the country, but is not what I'm fighting for,
Despite what some believe, I am not fighting for my country.
But I'm fighting for is this right here, because reggae music is music with the message every time,
What I am fighting for is the message of reggae music.
My message to you is: Yeahhh yeahh yeah...
The message I want to convey to you is...
I don't want no peanut save
I don't want anything trivial.
I want my Africa to be saved - keep on telling you that-
My desire is for Africa (specifically South Africa) to be saved from its current state.
I don't want no peanut save - all I need is-
I am not interested in anything trivial - I just need...
All I want my Africa (South Africa) to be saved Uhhhh... uhhhh... uh... uh... uh... uh... uh...
What I truly want is for Africa (specifically South Africa) to be saved.
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sr Kajota
I love that Song. It comes from the gospel group The Thrutless called "peanut butter and jelly" its kind of adpatation, but its amazing the way how Lucky dube could do this.
@alexandermwango5370
Will we ever find a voice this good? Lucky Dube made live concerts sound like work straight from the studio. The message and talent was evident. Clearly the best reggae artist ever. His death pains me every time I listen to his music, but then his message calms me as it reminds me about the world we live in. RIP legend.
@davideliah863
Amen
@franckyclivensbaptiste4030
You're right brother. Big respect for you
@spanataafulisia5222
AMENNNNN🙏🏼
@haitiantrustednews7577
I just published your comment on my whatsapp status , you spoke for 100 years my bro. From Haiti
@umarso65
😊😮😊😊😊
@Abuooffical
This song leaves tears in eyes. "WE DONT WANT PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY, WE WANT OUR AFRICA TO BE SAVED" Rest in peace king.
@tenishastairpraisegod7648
Me too this song brings back to my childhood memories!
@georgeodera4293
One of the best musician who ever walked down the face of this universe. A prophet, a teacher, a peace maker, a mentor and wonderful leader who inspired everyone who came into contact with his music all over the world.