Dying In Africa
Sally Shapiro Lyrics

The lyrics of Sally Shapiro's "Dying in Africa" are infused with intense emotions of unrequited love and heartbreak that are expressed through a play on words and phrases, incorporating the African imagery at various points throughout the song, possibly to emphasize the depth of the singer's pain. The opening line of "Someone I loved turned me down, I didn't feel my head touch the ground" describes the unexpected shock of the rejection, while the line "And everything that I did, yes, it depended on you. It did" points towards how the singer's existence had become intertwined with the object of her affection.

The chorus, with its repetition of "Even if they're dying in Africa" and "Even if they're crying in Africa" reflects the intensity of the singer's feelings of attachment and helplessness, as though there is nothing that can be done to release her from the grip of this love. The phrase "Love feels so sweet when you're rejected" adds to the sense of emotional turmoil that the singer is experiencing, highlighting the sense of masochism that sometimes accompanies unwanted love.

The song's overall structure is quite simplistic, with a focus on the repetition of key phrases in both the verses and the chorus. The use of African imagery and location is interesting for a Swedish duo whose style is otherwise largely associated with upbeat Italo-disco-inspired synthpop. The lyrics are both poignant and emotive, masterfully capturing the sense of despair and regret that often accompanies heartbreak.