He became widely known for his version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" (1982), as well as his own compositions "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969) and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore" (1970), his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell" (his only single to hit the US Billboard Hot 100, making it to the Top 20).
Whittakers first chart success came in 1969 when "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was his first UK Top 20 hit. In 1970 came two follow-up hits, "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (Top 10) and "New World In The Morning" (Top 20), and 1971 brought two smaller hit singles "Why" and "Mamy Blue".
Whittaker was absent from the UK singles chart until 1975, when "The Last Farewell" went Top 3, after which it was another eleven years until "Skye Boat Song" returned him to the Top 10 of the singles chart.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Whittaker had success in Germany, with German language songs produced by Nick Munro (unable to speak German at that time, Whittaker sang the songs phonetically). In time he became more fluent in German and sang and was interviewed in German on Danish television in November 2008. Whittaker retired from touring in 2013.
Out of Africa
Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As naked as the day I was born.
Surrounded by the thunder of the waves,
Pounding on that shore.
There was music in the air
And it started a song in my heart.
In the sea and the sun and the sand
And the wind out of Africa.
Out of Africa, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Out of Africa, yeah.
Out of Africa, right, out of Africa...
There was a three-year-old boy,
Dancing to the radio.
Yeah, jivin' to the sounds of
Chuck Berry and Fats Domino.
Now some people thing he is out of his mind.
But he hasn't gone far.
He down by the sea on the sand in the wind
Out of Africa.
Out of Africa, yeah, out of Africa, yeah.
Out of Africa, right, out of Africa...
And sometimes when I lose my way,
She take's me by the hand
And leads me back to were it all began...
Yeah, in Africa.
Pfeifsolo
Out of Africa, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Out of Africa, yeah.
Out of Africa, right, out of Africa...
I was standing on a beach.
As naked as the day I was born.
Surrounded by the thunder of the waves,
Pounding on that shore.
There was music in the air
And it started a song in my heart.
In the sea and the sun and the sand
And the wind out of Africa.
Out of Africa, out of Africa, out of Africa,
Yeah, out of Africa.
Pfeifsolo...
The lyrics of "Out of Africa" by Roger Whittaker are about the beauty and power of nature and how it touches the human soul. The song begins with the singer standing on a beach, naked and vulnerable, surrounded by the thunder of the waves. He hears music in the air and it stirs something within him, starting a song in his heart. He realizes that it's the sea, sun, sand and wind out of Africa that are causing this powerful reaction within him.
The song then talks about a three-year-old boy who dances to the radio, jivin' to the sounds of Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. The boy is seen as crazy by some people, but he hasn't gone far. He's still down by the sea on the sand in the wind, out of Africa. The part “sometimes when I lose my way, she takes me by the hand and leads me back to where it all began… yeah, in Africa” indicates that Africa has a special place in the singer’s heart, providing him with a sense of home and belonging.
The song continues with a whistling solo that mimics the sound of the wind, ending with the singer again standing on the beach, naked and vulnerable, with the music of Africa surrounding him.
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing on a beach.
I found myself in a calm, serene environment, surrounded by the sea and the sand.
As naked as the day I was born.
Completely unencumbered by any physical or emotional baggage, feeling liberated and free.
Surrounded by the thunder of the waves,
Pounding on that shore.
Despite the peaceful surroundings, the sounds of the crashing waves remind me of the power and beauty of nature.
There was music in the air
And it started a song in my heart.
The natural sounds of the environment around me were so beautiful that they inspired a sense of joy and wonder in my soul.
In the sea and the sun and the sand
And the wind out of Africa.
All of the natural elements around me, especially the wind, reminded me that I was in Africa - a truly magical place.
Out of Africa, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Out of Africa, yeah.
Out of Africa, right, out of Africa...
Repeating the phrase 'Out of Africa' serves as a reminder of the significance of this place and the sense of wonder it inspires.
There was a three-year-old boy,
Dancing to the radio.
I observed a young child carefree and unconcerned, simply enjoying the music and the moment.
Yeah, jivin' to the sounds of
Chuck Berry and Fats Domino.
The music playing was classic and cheerful, adding to the atmosphere of vibrant joy in the air.
Now some people thing he is out of his mind.
But he hasn't gone far.
While others might find the child's behavior odd, I see it as a reflection of the same sense of joy and freedom that I feel in this place.
He down by the sea on the sand in the wind
Out of Africa.
The child is fully immersed in the same environment that I am, enjoying the same natural elements that make this place so special.
And sometimes when I lose my way,
She take's me by the hand
And leads me back to were it all began...
Yeah, in Africa.
When I am feeling adrift or disheartened, I find solace in remembering the beauty and power of this place that has had such an impact on my soul.
Out of Africa, yeah, yeah, yeah,
Out of Africa, yeah.
Out of Africa, right, out of Africa...
I repeat once again the phrase 'Out of Africa' to emphasize the profound impact and importance of this place.
Pfeifsolo...
An instrumental interlude to punctuate the sense of wonder and tranquility that suffuses this song.
Out of Africa, out of Africa, out of Africa,
Yeah, out of Africa.
One final repetition of the phrase 'Out of Africa' as the song draws to a close, leaving us with a lasting sense of the beauty and majesty of this remarkable place.
Contributed by Reagan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nigel
on Jenny
I'm not sure by any means, but I wonder whether taking the midnight train is ultimately a metaphor for a more final journey. I also wonder if RW had someone specific in mind whose fate prompted this powerful song. I like it very much.