Born and brought up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo M'bilia Bel became successful in the mid-1980s when she recorded and toured with Tabu Ley Rochereau, and made her own solo albums. The birth of her first child prompted her to take a break from performing, however, and after a last album with Ley in 1987, she moved to Paris. There she started working with guitarist Rigo Star, and between 1989 and 1990 she went on to tour the United States, the United Kingdom, and West Africa.
She has released 4 albums since 1990. Her most recent, Belissimo, was released in 2004. M'bilia continues to wear her crown as Queen of Congolese rumba.
Nadina
M'bilia Bel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun gives warmth
And it's also the light of the world
The sun, water, moon, stars, wind and soil
This is life for man
Nadina yoo Nadina yoyo
Nadina yoo Nadina yoyo
Let's pray to God our father yoyo
Even if you are sinful, save your soul
Even if you belong to the devil, know who created you
Let's praise God our father ee ee
Even once a week
Fish, animals, plants, insects
Or even the birds, this is life for man
Molded clay
Burnt leaves
Or all others you love ee
That are too many to name
Nadina yoo Nadina yoyo
Nadina yoo Nadina yoyo
Let's pray to God our father yoyo
To forgive our sins mother
Even if you are sinful, save your soul
Even if you belong to the devil, know who created you
Let's praise God our father ee ee
Even once a week
Fish, animals, plants, insects
Or even the birds, this is life for man
Molded clay
Burnt leaves
Or all others you love ee
That are too many to name
Molded clay
Burnt leaves
Or all others you love ee
That are too many to name
Nadina yo Nadina mother
Slow down your restless body and soul mother
Here I am, knocking in vain
Yee yee oh Nadina yee yee
Give me all your love ye yee
Yee yee oh Nadina yee yee
Oh, Nadina dear
The lyrics to M'bilia Bel's song Nadina intricately describe the different elements of life that are essential for man's survival. She mentions the sun, water, moon, stars, wind, and soil as the fundamental building blocks of life. The song urges listeners to be thankful for these elements and to recognize the power of God in creating them. The repetition of the phrase "Nadina yoo Nadina yoyo" is significant as it represents the celebration of life and the appreciation of all that it has to offer.
In the second and third verse, the lyrics take a more religious tone as Bel asks listeners to pray to God and to seek his forgiveness. She acknowledges that everyone sins, but encourages listeners to save their soul and recognize the power of God in their lives. Bel emphasizes the importance of recognizing the beauty in all forms of life, including fish, animals, plants, insects, and birds, as they all contribute to the diversity of life. The line "Molded clay, burnt leaves or all others you love" refers to the different forms of life that one may find beautiful or meaningful.
The final verse of the song is sung entirely in Lingala, a Bantu language, and asks Nadina to slow down her restless body and soul, with the singer admitting to knocking in vain and asking for Nadina's love.
Overall, the lyrics to Nadina are a celebration of life, reminding listeners to appreciate everything that makes it possible, from the elements around us to the creatures we share the planet with. Bel acknowledges the presence and power of God in our lives and reminds listeners to recognize the beauty in all forms of life.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun gives warmth
The sun provides warmth to the Earth
And it's also the light of the world
The sun is the source of light in the world
The sun, water, moon, stars, wind and soil
These natural elements are essential to human life
This is life for man
These natural elements are what make up life for humans
Nadina yoo Nadina yoyo
Chorus repeated twice throughout the song
Let's pray to God our father yoyo
Asking for forgiveness from God
To forgive our sins mother
Asking for forgiveness of sins from God, seen as a motherly figure
Even if you are sinful, save your soul
Encouraging listeners to seek salvation even if they have sinned
Even if you belong to the devil, know who created you
Reminding listeners to acknowledge and give thanks to God even if they have negative influences in their life
Let's praise God our father ee ee
Encouraging listeners to give praise to God
Even once a week
Even praising God once a week is better than not at all
Fish, animals, plants, insects
Listing the various living creatures that make up life
Or even the birds, this is life for man
Including birds as part of life on Earth for humans
Molded clay
Clay that has been formed into a shape
Burnt leaves
Leaves that have been burned
Or all others you love ee
Referring to anything else that a person may love and appreciate in life
That are too many to name
There are too many things in life to name specifically
Nadina yo Nadina mother
Chorus repeated twice throughout the song
Slow down your restless body and soul mother
Encouraging listeners to slow down and take care of themselves
Here I am, knocking in vain
Expressing frustration with unrequited love
Yee yee oh Nadina yee yee
Chorus repeated twice throughout the song
Give me all your love ye yee
Asking for love from Nadina
Oh, Nadina dear
Endearingly addressing Nadina
Contributed by Avery L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@samuelmuchiri7587
for Kenyans growing up in the 80's and early 90's Nadina is part of our DNA
@estherenk
Samuel muchiri kabisa
@dabetngandali1349
Samuel muchiri
@iykeharrison9161
Same in Nigeria.
@stardust7469
Google Nadina Swahili version.
@abbasmsambai442
Samuel muchiri we got to change this love of the world will pass away.
@ToxicAfricanKing
Generation kuna matata hapa. This is one of my Mom's favourite. 🇹🇿🇰🇪🇨🇩
@njugunakariuki3787
Remids me Taveta in 1988 I was in class four we were living next to Top life bar the song could play overnight . Real life memories. I had a dream of becoming radio broadcaster and when the dream came true I revenged by playing this song almost each night on my radio show kbc radio Kenya.
@paularuth8116
Glad you got to live your dream ✨️ ❤
@benito3799
This just remind me, our stereo radio, a caset disk with the song inside, in Moi's government nothing like BBI to worry about ahh,, Wapi likes From Kenya 🇰🇪