Mahlathini was known as the "Lion of Soweto" (his voice was a low, "gravel-like" groan) and was well known throughout South Africa and neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and Botswana during his career. He began singing in the 1950s, often working in conjunction with top producer Rupert Bopape at EMI South Africa, and often performing with the girl group the Dark City Sisters. When Bopape moved to Gallo Record Company in 1964 to start up the new African subsidiary, Mavuthela Music, he brought Mahlathini with him. The bass vocalist's career then took off. He was backed by Bopape's newly-formed Makgona Tsohle Band (soon to become the hardest-working mbaqanga session team in the country, led by the country's electric guitar pioneer Marks Mankwane as well as saxophone star West Nkosi) and often recorded with Bopape's newly-formed (and highly-successful) Mahotella Queens.
Mahotella Queens was initially a group of five female vocalists established at the Mavuthela division in 1964 by Bopape, who introduced Hilda Tloubatla to sing the main lead vocals. The Queens began recording hit singles and albums with their backing, the Makgona Tsohle Band, and were often fronted by Mahlathini. In 1971, Mahlathini signed with rival company EMI, and the original Queens all ended up joining rival girl groups. Bopape formed a new Mahotella Queens line-up, who most notably recorded the 1977 album Izibani Zomgqashiyo with Robert "Mbazo" Mkhize (in the place of Mahlathini). In 1983, the original five Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu, Mildred Mangxola, Juliet Mazamisa and Ethel Mngomezulu) reunited with Mahlathini and the Makgona Tsohle Band with the comeback release Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo (Heroes of Mgqashiyo Music). After one more hiatus, three of the Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola) regrouped full-time in 1986.
I'm in Love with a Rastaman
Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sama teman teman pada pacaran ke
Kampung orang aku di tinggakalkan yih
Meskipun sendiri aku tetap setia meskipun
Sendiri ku tetap santai ah yiahh yiah yihh
(Rastaman in love)tong hilap ka babaturan
(Rastaman in love)didie urng sorangan
Yiah yiah yiahhh
Aku pun terluka di tingal mereka
Tak tau kemana
Aku pun kecewa euh
Aku pun terluka di tinggal mereka
(Rastaman in love)tong hilap ka babaturan
(Rastaman in lovr)didie urng sorangan
Tengah malam masih sendiri
Yieahh yang ada cuman kpoi
Mereka pacaran di kampung orang
Kapan mereka pulang
Back to refd
The lyrics to Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens's song "I'm in Love with a Rastaman" tell the story of a person who is alone on a Saturday night because their friends are all in relationships and have left them behind. Despite feeling lonely, the person remains loyal to themselves and keeps a cool demeanor. They express their disappointment and hurt for being left behind and not knowing where their friends have gone. The person is left wondering when their friends will return and when they will no longer feel alone. The chorus of "Rastaman in love" is repeated throughout the song and seems to represent the hope and longing for a relationship with someone who is free-spirited and unconventional like a Rastafarian.
The lyrics of this song speak to a common human experience of feeling left out and lonely when our friends enter into romantic relationships. The song's message suggests that even though our social situations may change, we can still remain true to ourselves and find peace in solitude. The use of the phrase "Rastaman in love" seems to symbolize the desire for a relationship that is free from societal constraints and values genuine connection and mutual respect.
Line by Line Meaning
Malam minggu aku bosan yeah
On Saturday night, I am bored
Sama teman teman pada pacaran ke
While my friends are out dating
Kampung orang aku di tinggakalkan yih
I am left alone in my hometown
Meskipun sendiri aku tetap setia meskipun
Although I am alone, I remain faithful
Sendiri ku tetap santai ah yiahh yiah yihh
I am still relaxed and calm even though I am alone
(Rastaman in love)tong hilap ka babaturan
The Rastaman is lost in thought
(Rastaman in love)didie urng sorangan
The Rastaman is alone
Yiah yiah yiahhh
Sounds of happiness
Aku puj kecewa euhh
I am disappointed
Aku pun terluka di tingal mereka
I am hurt by being left behind
Tak tau kemana
I don't know where to go
Aku pun kecewa euh
I am disappointed
Aku pun terluka di tinggal mereka
I am hurt by being abandoned
(Rastaman in love)tong hilap ka babaturan
The Rastaman is lost in thought
(Rastaman in lovr)didie urng sorangan
The Rastaman is alone
Tengah malam masih sendiri
I am still alone in the middle of the night
Yieahh yang ada cuman kpoi
I only have my loneliness with me
Mereka pacaran di kampung orang
They are dating in their hometown
Kapan mereka pulang
When will they return?
Writer(s): Nobesuthu (mbadu) Shawe, West Nkosi
Contributed by Aiden V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mandisahlabisa7705
Oseyidlile udle icala! 🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
@pholelamapeyi4589
jus took me back ...i mean long way back..!! the sound it jus amazin/..!!
@akuasika6791
❤️❤️🇩🇪🇬🇭🙏
@NtokozoZungu-gu5vs
Lyrics video
@stephansteohanlarsen7457
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