www.qkumbazoo.co.za

Qkumba Zoo is a dance music trio from Johannesbu… Read Full Bio ↴www.qkumbazoo.co.za

Qkumba Zoo is a dance music trio from Johannesburg, South Africa, consisting of vocalist Levannah, dancer/sculptor Tziki and producer Owl.

Their first album, Wake Up & Dream, was a unique break into the music scene in 1996, featuring 11 tracks of feel-good dance music. The songs provided an enjoyable listening experience, with Owl's mix of sounds and beats backing up Levannah's incredible voice. Their song "The Child (Inside)" hit #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1996 and #69 on the Hot 100. Recently the track has been used in several US television commercials, the most popular being from Seaworld amusement parks. Wake Up & Dream also reflected the band's strong feelings in supporting anti-apartheid, shown in the song Weeping. The trio, like many others in South Africa, struggled with being white in a nation torn apart by racism.

Several years after the album's release, band member Tziki committed suicide. This was one of the catalysts that changed Owl and Levannah over the next several years, which can be heard in the music of their second album, Butterfly Peepl, released in 2000. In addition to the album's release, the band's name was officially shortened from Qkumba Zoo to QZoo. The group also left Arista in favor of their own independent label, Zoocumba Music.

While Wake Up & Dream did not have as big an impact on the music scene as was hoped, Butterfly Peepl was barely noticed at all. Even most fans weren't lucky enough to grab a copy when QZoo's official site still existed. However, the second album musically surpassed the first one, showing the true potential of Owl's songwriting. The music seemed to mature beyond Wake Up & Dream, and in QZoo terms, one could say that they had finally hatched from the coccoon.

In 2001, long after their domain had disappeared, QZoo popped up on a new website under the name Innaskinz. The band still consisted of Owl and Levannah, who were now paired with a woman named Cajun. The site promoted the band and its history, as well as Owl personally running a mailing list. Lyrics for a new song, Rise Up Against the Tide, appeared on the main page for a brief while.

Innaskinz seems to be the last sighting of the band, for not long after, the new site disappeared as well, and the band cut off email communication with its fans, vanishing back into the darkness of Africa. There is no doubt that such magical musicians are still creating music in some way, shape, or form, but outside of South Africa, they now remain a mystery.

Let The Light In
Qkumba Zoo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm so tired of these lonely Saturday nights
(Lonely nights)
I'm wondering if I'm ever gonna get it right

I'm gonna change the way that I feel
And let the light in
Let the light in
Take away this shield

(Shield)

Seems I've walked a million miles in the dark
(So far to the nearest star; I'm alone)
Walking circles, treading dark grooves, stuck in my past
(Alone in my heart)

I'm gonna change the way that I feel
And let the light in
Let the light in
Take away this shield
And let the light in
Let the light in

I'm tired of walking lonely
I'm tired of hearing only
Echoes from the underground

Somewhere a star is shining
Somewhere to light is rising to the dawn, to the dawn
I'm shining

I'm shining

I'm gonna change
And let the light in
Let the light in
Take away this shield
Feel
Let the light, the light shine
Through
Feel
Let the light be in me
Real

In me
Real

Overall Meaning

In the first verse, the singer expresses their exhaustion with the repetitive and solitary Saturday nights they have been experiencing. They question if they will ever find fulfillment and happiness in their life. The recurring theme of loneliness is emphasized, suggesting that the singer feels a deep sense of isolation and dissatisfaction. However, they also express a desire for change and transformation in their emotional state, symbolized by letting the light in and removing their shield. This indicates a longing to break free from their current negative mindset and allow positivity and clarity to enter their life.

The second verse delves deeper into the singer's emotional journey. They describe feeling as if they have been wandering aimlessly in the darkness, highlighting the vast distance they have traveled without finding their true destination. The metaphor of walking circles and treading dark grooves signifies being stuck in the past or trapped in negative patterns of thinking. The phrase "alone in my heart" further emphasizes their emotional isolation. Despite this, they remain determined to change their emotional state and let the light in. This suggests that they are ready to let go of the past and embrace new possibilities and perspectives.

In the chorus, the singer reiterates their intention to change and allow the light to illuminate their life. They express weariness with their current solitary existence and the echoes or reminders of their pain that they constantly hear from the depths of their being. However, they offer a glimmer of hope by acknowledging that somewhere, a star is shining and the light is rising to the dawn. This imagery represents the possibility of finding hope, inspiration, and guidance even in the darkest moments. The repetition of "I'm shining" at the end indicates a newfound confidence and inner transformation.

The final verse underscores the singer's determination to bring about change and let the light fully permeate their being. They emphasize the importance of dismantling their shield, which symbolizes the emotional barriers they have erected to protect themselves. They long to feel the light within them, emphasizing the desire for authenticity, self-acceptance, and a genuine experience of life. By embracing the light and allowing it to be in them, they hope to find true fulfillment and a sense of realness in their existence. This last plea reflects their eagerness to transcend their current state and embrace a more vibrant, meaningful, and illuminated life.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm so tired of these lonely Saturday nights
I am exhausted from constantly spending my Saturday nights alone and feeling lonely.

I'm wondering if I'm ever gonna get it right
I am questioning whether I will ever find a way to make things better.

I'm gonna change the way that I feel
I have decided to make a conscious effort to alter my emotional state.

And let the light in
To allow positivity and enlightenment to enter my life.

Let the light in
Emphasizing the need to embrace brightness and positivity.

Take away this shield
Remove the emotional barriers that prevent me from experiencing true happiness.

Seems I've walked a million miles in the dark
I have endured countless difficult and challenging times without any guidance or clarity.

Walking circles, treading dark grooves, stuck in my past
Feeling trapped in repetitive patterns of negative thinking and dwelling on past mistakes.

I'm tired of walking lonely
I am fatigued from the constant journey of solitude and isolation.

I'm tired of hearing only
I am weary of only listening to my own thoughts and feelings without any external influence.

Echoes from the underground
The lingering reverberations of my negative experiences and emotions from deep within.

Somewhere a star is shining
There is a glimmer of hope and positivity shining in an unknown place.

Somewhere to light is rising to the dawn, to the dawn
A source of brightness and enlightenment is emerging, symbolizing a fresh start and a new beginning.

I'm shining
I am radiating positivity and self-confidence.

I'm gonna change
I am determined to undergo a personal transformation.

And let the light in
To allow optimism and positivity to permeate every aspect of my life.

Let the light in
Repeatedly emphasizing the importance of embracing illumination and positivity.

Feel
Encouraging oneself to truly experience and acknowledge emotions.

Let the light, the light shine
Allowing the radiance and positivity to ultimately illuminate everything.

Through
Incorporating the positive changes and mindset throughout every part of life's journey.

Feel
Encouraging continuous emotional awareness and acceptance.

Let the light be in me
Allowing the light of positivity and enlightenment to become an integral part of oneself.

Real
Striving for an authentic and genuine existence by embracing positivity.

In me
Within myself, acknowledging the need for personal growth and change.

Real
Reiterating the importance of authenticity and embracing true happiness.