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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)
Slave
Lucky Dube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tell me what you see
In the eyes of the jobless man
Tell me what you see
What about the eyes of a prisoner
What do you see?
Now you've seen it all
Your own mind
Don't try to hide it, 'cause I can see it all
In your face, yeah
It is the same questions that I ask myself every time
To be or not to be
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
What is the point in being free
When you can't get no job
What is the point in being free
When you can't get no food
What is the point in going out to work
When others can get for free
What is the point in being free
When you don't have no home
Now you've heard it all
It is time to make up
Your own mind
To be or not to be, oh
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
In Lucky Dube's song "Slave," the artist tackles themes of societal inequality and asks the listener to reflect on their own values and desires. The lyrics begin by asking the listener to consider the eyes of the homeless, jobless, and imprisoned. This serves as a commentary on the difficulties faced by marginalized communities, and challenges the listener to empathize with those who are less fortunate.
The chorus of the song presents a powerful question: "Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?" This forces the listener to consider whether they value material comfort over personal freedom, and whether the societal structures in place allow for true freedom at all. Dube emphasizes that being free means very little when basic necessities such as food, shelter, and employment are not guaranteed.
The final lines of the song once again ask the listener to reflect on their own values and beliefs, and ultimately make their own decision about whether they want to be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man. This confronts the listener with the harsh reality that many individuals face, and challenges them to consider what true freedom means.
Overall, Lucky Dube's "Slave" is a poignant commentary on societal injustice and the struggle for true freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Look in the eyes of the homeless man
Observe the gaze of a person without shelter
Tell me what you see
Describe what you perceive
In the eyes of the jobless man
Notice the expression of a person who is unemployed
What about the eyes of a prisoner
Likewise, consider the look of someone who is incarcerated
What do you see?
What impression do you get from their eyes?
Now you've seen it all
After having seen the plight of the marginalized
It is time to make up
It's time to decide for oneself
Your own mind
Using one's own thoughts and values
Don't try to hide it, 'cause I can see it all
Don't conceal your response, because it's obvious
In your face, yeah
It's plain to see on your countenance
It is the same questions that I ask myself every time
I'm always pondering the same inquiries
To be or not to be
Should I live life as it is or fight for something better?
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
Choose between an illusory comfort or a meaningful existence
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
Again, decide if you want to be a captive of your desires, or follow your ideals
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
Once again, must you submit to the status quo or find a way to break free?
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
The final challenge to decide for oneself: live in luxury or live free?
What is the point in being free
What's the significance of freedom
When you can't get no job
If you can't make a living
What is the point in being free
Once more, what's the sense of liberty
When you can't get no food
If you can't find sustenance
What is the point in going out to work
What's the purpose of seeking employment
When others can get for free
When certain folks get the same for nothing
What is the point in being free
What's the advantage of being unbound
When you don't have no home
When you don't have a place to stay
Now you've heard it all
After listening to these inquiries
It is time to make up
It's time to choose
To be or not to be, oh
Whether to conform or to rebel
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
This plea still lingers on
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
As another chance to pick your path
(Do you wanna be a well-fed slave or a hungry free man?)
Between security and autonomy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LUCKY DUBE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@noelladewa32
Ministers of religion
Have visited me many times
To talk about it
They say to me
I gotta leave it I gotta leave it
It's a bad habit
For a man
But when I try to leave it
My friends keep telling me
I'm a fool amongst fools
[Chorus:]
Now I'm a slave, a slave
I'm a slave
I'm a liquor slave
I'm a slave, a slave, slave
I'm a slave
Just a liquor slave
I have lost my dignity
I had before trying
To please everybody
Some say to me
Yo yo
I look better when I'm drunk
Some say no no no
I look bad you know
Sometimes I cry
I cry but my crying
Never helps me none
[Chorus:]
''cause now I am a slave, a slave
I'm a slave
I'm just a liquor slave
I am a slave, a prisoner
I'm a slave
Just a liquor slave
Every night when I'm
Coming back home
My wife gets worried
''cause she knows
She's got double trouble
Coming home
Sometimes I cry
I cry lord I cry
But my crying
Never helps me
Chorus: (till fade)
@mawetericardo5428
2021 I'm not back, I never left.
Love from Angola/ Africa 🇦🇴💛
@mimife7981
Who’s in the picture then
@johnmongelli7480
Lucky Dube is supposed to be 56 today but he died because he’s been shot
Happy Birthday to Lucky Dube that he would have been 56 today I’m sorry Lucy Dube your in Heaven now Rest In Peace
Lucky Dube born on August 3, 1964 in Ermelo, South Africa
Died on October 18, 2007 Rosettenville, Johannesburg South, South Africa
Lucky Dube you will be missed
@saucerboss
issa told me about lucky, i have loved him for decades. bless him, we miss you sir! told the truth more beautifully than many could bear
@HowardMoon56
I used to listen this song when I worked in Malta in the kitchen of Hard Rock caffe every night, my friend from Ghanna and me would scrapping the grease and dirt from the stove while screaming : I'm a slaveeee!! :D
@sanelesanele9377
😂😂
@priscamarupa479
Hahahaha LOL
@MissKabugarah
And where are you now?
@mzazineymar7854
God for us all
@mzazineymar7854
@@MissKabugarah muthoni... Reggae should be abled even in heaven