Oi Va Voi is a band from London, United Kingdom which plays music inspired … Read Full Bio ↴Oi Va Voi is a band from London, United Kingdom which plays music inspired by Eastern European rhythms and melodies. The name of the group is Yiddish and roughly translates to "oh' dear god...".

The band has five core members and works with a variety of guest vocalists.KT Tunstall was a regular performer with the band until her solo career in 2004.

Oi Va Voi are:
Nik Ammar (Guitars, Vocals, Production)
Josh Breslaw (Drums, Percussion, Production)
Stephen Levi (Clarinet, Vocals)
David Orchant (Trumpet)
At the moment also performing with Oi Va Voi:
Bridgette Amofah (Vocals)
Anna Phoebe (Violin)

Former Oi Va Voi contributers:
KT Tunstall
Alice McLaughlin
Sophie Solomon
Lemez Lovas

Black Sheep
Oi Va Voi Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've had enough of all the clichés
Out of sight is out of my mind
I've had enough of all the life-changing advice
They invent to pull the wool over my eyes.
I've had enough of all the clichés
The thought that nothing is even enough
I'm fine until the fears - they catch me unawares
Creep up and start to whisper sweet nothings in my ears.

I'm sending out thins tune
To places i once knew
To all the people i have lost
I'm sending out this tune
To another space and time
To another day in my life.

I've had enough of all the clichés
Sticks and stones they never break me in
But every single word, no matter how absurd,
Leaves the faintest trace under my skin.
I've had enough of all the clichés
I don't assume the things i cannot see.
I try not to be rash - to ponder all the facts -
But false conclusions always seem to jump to me.

I'm sending out thins tune
To places i once knew
To all the people i have lost
I'm sending out this tune
To another space and time
To another day in my life.

Makes no difference
When i try

The numbers all
Multiply.

Overall Meaning

The song "Black Sheep" by Oi Va Voi, is a reflection on the singer's frustration with societal pressures, clichés, and the constant barrage of advice that masquerades as life-changing. The lyrics talk about the singer's struggle to deal with the fear, insecurities, and doubts that are hiding within. They try to ignore the clichés, but it seems like every time they let their guard down, they are once again confronted with them.

The lyrics "I've had enough of all the clichés, sticks and stones they never break me in, but every single word, no matter how absurd, leaves the faintest trace under my skin," perfectly sums up the theme of the song. The singer is seemingly strong and steadfast in their belief, but the constant bombardment of clichés has caused permanent damage. The singer recognizes that they might not have control over the events in their life, but they are sending this song out to the universe, a love letter to lost friends and family, to remember the things they used to believe in.

In a broader sense, the song Black Sheep is a commentary on modern society's attempt to turn their citizens into mindless automatons, devoid of any real emotional complexity. It asks the question, is it worth conforming to societal values and risking losing your unique identity, or should you embrace your quirks and be the black sheep?

Line by Line Meaning

I've had enough of all the clichés
I am tired of hearing the same overused sayings

Out of sight is out of my mind
Something is forgotten if it is not visible

I've had enough of all the life-changing advice
I am done with people trying to influence my life choices

They invent to pull the wool over my eyes.
They create stories to deceive me

The thought that nothing is even enough
The idea that striving for more is never satisfied

I'm fine until the fears - they catch me unawares
I feel okay until my fears surprise me

Creep up and start to whisper sweet nothings in my ears.
Fear slowly enters my thoughts and speaks falsely

I'm sending out thins tune
I am sharing this song

To places i once knew
To locations from my past

To all the people i have lost
To all the people who are no longer apart of my life

To another space and time
To a different dimension and point in time