Miriam Makeba used her voice to entertain, but also to give a voice to millions of oppressed fellow South Africans who suffered as a result of apartheid. The price she had to pay for her actions was high, namely her South African citizenship. After she appeared, in 1960, in the an anti-apartheid documentary Come Back, Africa, the South African regime banned her from returning to her home country and took away her citizenship.
This event didn't stop her from continuing to raise her voice against the apartheid regime. Between 1964 and 1975, as a United Nations delegate of Guinea where she was granted asylum, Miriam Makeba addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations regularly on the tragic developments in South Africa.
Meanwhile she carried on singing, a process in which she put South African music on the map. Over the years Makeba worked with artists as Joe Sample, Stix Hooper, Arthur Adams, and David T. Walker of The Crusaders. In the late 1980's she joined Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo during their world-wide Graceland tour and in 1990 she worked with Odetta and Nina Simone for the One Nation tour.
Following Nelson Mandela's release from prison, the citizen of the world Makeba returned to South Africa in December 1990; more than thirty years after she went in exile. In April 1991 she performed her first concert in her homeland in three decades.
The years after were busy ones for Makeba. She starred in the South African award-winning musical Sarafina! , about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, playing the role of the title character's mother. She then reunited with her first husband, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, for the Tour Of Hope. She also performed at the Vatican's Nevi Hall during the world-wide broadcasted show, Christmas In The Vatican. In 2000 Makeba released the grammy-nominated Homeland, her first studio album in a decade. In 2002 she shared the Polar Music Prize with Sofia Gubaidulina, in recognition of her exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music.
After her return to South Africa Miriam Makeba recorded over ten albums. In 2004, at the age of 72, she relased Reflections honoring the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid in South Africa. In that same year Makeba was voted 38th in the Top 100 Great South Africans. She also started a 14 month worldwide farwell tour in 2005, holding concerts in all countries she had visited during her life.
With an impressive career spanning more than four decades Miriam Makeba is, indeed, one of the most respected, loved and cherished treasures in (South) Africa.
On the early morning of 10th of November 2008 she died at the age of 76 after being taken ill near the southern Italian town of Caserta, after performing at a concert against organized crime.
Source: Miriam Makeba, A true South African musical Legend
Discography on last.fm
External links:
Official website
Unofficial website
Movie database
Let's Pretend
Miriam Makeba Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That you and I are more than just friends
Make believe
That all in life on us depend
It's not hard to conceive
This life I believe can be
The most beautiful thing
Let's pretend
That this is something more than a game
It's a dream
That lives and must not die in vain
If you feel deep inside
A love you can't hide like me
Then this game we must end
For when two hearts believe
Why pretend?
If you feel deep inside
A love you can't hide like me
Then this game we must end
For when two hearts believe
Why pretend?
Why pretend?
Why pretend?
In Miriam Makeba's song "Let's Pretend," the lyrics speak to the desire to imagine a deeper connection between two individuals. The song suggests that rather than simply being friends, the singer wants to create a fantasy where everything in life depends on their bond. By pretending, they can transcend the surface-level interactions and experience something more meaningful.
The lyrics highlight the ease with which this fantasy can be conceived. The singer believes that this life they imagine together can be the most beautiful thing to ever bloom, much like the blossoming of flowers in spring. They believe that by pretending, they can create a heightened sense of romance and connection.
The song acknowledges that this pretend game should not be taken lightly. It's not just a fleeting fantasy or a game, but a dream that must not die in vain. It suggests that if both individuals feel a deep love that they can't hide, then it's time to end the game and embrace the reality of their feelings. When two hearts truly believe in their connection, there is no need to pretend anymore.
In summary, "Let's Pretend" is a song that explores the idea of imagining a deeper connection and creating a fantasy where two individuals can transcend the boundaries of friendship. It encourages embracing true feelings and acknowledges that pretending can only last for so long when genuine love exists.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's pretend
Let's imagine
That you and I are more than just friends
That our relationship is deeper than friendship
Make believe
Engage in a fantasy
That all in life on us depend
That our actions have a significant impact on everything
It's not hard to conceive
It's easy to understand
This life I believe can be
I strongly believe that life can be
The most beautiful thing
The most splendid and marvelous experience
That ever could bloom in Spring
That could flourish and blossom like Spring
Let's pretend
Let's imagine
That this is something more than a game
That our connection is more profound than a mere game
It's a dream
It's a cherished aspiration
That lives and must not die in vain
That should persist and not be wasted
If you feel deep inside
If you have a profound sensation within
A love you can't hide like me
An affection you cannot conceal, just like me
Then this game we must end
Then we should stop pretending
For when two hearts believe
Because when two souls have faith
Why pretend?
Why continue to deceive ourselves?
Why pretend?
Why continue to deceive ourselves?
Why pretend?
Why continue to deceive ourselves?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mfundo Piti
on To Those We Love (Nongqongqo)
At the time the song was composed and released all the people mentioned ((Mangaliso) Sobukhwe, (Albert) Luthuli, (Nelson) Mandela, and (Walter) Sisulu were alive. While the three were in prison at Robben Island, Luthuli was not in prison, hence the question to Luthuli asking what "will you do?". Luthuli was the president of the banned African National Congress (ANC). Sobukhwe the president of Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Mandela and Sisulu occupied executive leadership positions within the ANC at the time of their sentencing to serve life sentences in prison (1964). The same question is asked to all Africans.
Mfundo Piti
on To Those We Love (Nongqongqo)
The lyrics of "To Those We Love" by Miriam Makeba are about the struggles, sacrifices, and resilience of great African leaders who fought for freedom, justice, and equality. The repetitive chorus, "Bahleli bonke entilongweni, Bahleli bonke kwaNongqongqo" refers to how all these leaders, including Sobukwe, Luthuli, Mandela, and Sisulu, are resting in peace or buried in their respective homes. The verses pose questions about their legacy and the continuation of their work, asking "Why, Baba Luthuli? What will you do?" and "What will happen to us, MaAfrica?" These questions are a call to action for listeners to carry on the struggle for freedom and justice.
Junior
on Soweto Blues
The melancholy in her voice
Junior
on Mama
It makes me cry I could not bury my mother cause I was in prison when I ask prison authorities to allow me an opportunity to go and attend the funeral they refused. We always underestimate the role of women
no
on Beware, Verwoerd! (Ndodemnyama)
no
hi! i enjoted. this song. i loved it
Matt Olomu
on Noweva
This is your challenge, South Africans who understand the lyrics of NOWEVER. Do yourselves and Africa a favour. Interpret it.