They changed their name to Stimela after a life-changing experience in Mozambique when they were stranded in Maputo for three months. They had to sell all their belongings to take a train home. This trip was a watershed moment as it was where they conceived the new name for the band: train is translated as Stimela in Nguni languages.
Besides the change in name, the band also expanded with new members Charlie "Sam" Ndlovu, Nana Coyote, Thapelo Kgomo and Ntokozo Zungu. With soulful tunes and gripping lyrics, the band has recorded platinum-winning albums such as Fire, Passion and Ecstasy, Listen, Look and Decide as well as the controversial People Don't Talk, So Let's Talk. One of their most memorable tracks - "Whispers in the Deep" - was restricted for broadcast by the old South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Members
Ray Phiri - lead guitar, lead vocals (Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri, 23 March 1947 β 12 July 2017)
Sam Ndlovu - Vocals
Isaac "Mnca" Mtshali - drummer
The late - Nana Coyote - lead vocals
Thapelo Kgomo - keyboards
Ntokozo Zungu - lead guitar
Bafana Khuzwayo - organ
Discography
1982: Fire, Passion and Ecstasy
1983: Rewind
1985: Shadows, Fear and Pain
1986: Look, Listen and Decide
1988: Live!
1987: Unfinished Story
1991: Siyaya
1983: Rewind (EP)
1985: Shadows Fear and Pain (EP)
1989: Trouble in the Land of Plenty
1994: Khululani
1995: Don't Ask Why
1995: Are You Ready (Live)
1987: The Unfinished Story
1996: Out of the Ashes
2000: Steam Tracks (Best of)
2001: Live At The Market Theatre - 1st Half (Live)
2002: The 2nd Half (Live)
2010: A Lifetime...
2011: turn on the sun
Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri (23 March 1947 β 12 July 2017) was a South African jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician born in Mpumalanga to Malawian immigrant worker and South African guitarist nicknamed "Just Now" Phiri. He became founding member of the Cannibals in the 1970s. When the Cannibals disbanded Ray founded Stimela, with whom he conceived gold and platinum-selling albums like Fire, Passion and Ecstacy (1991), Look, Listen and Decide (1992) as well as the controversial People Don't Talk So Let's Talk.
Fire
Stimela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ecstasy burning like fire in my heart
Our song playing softly in the heat of night
She ran the deepest type of desire in me
We are one, Lost in love
Sweet clouds of joy coming through the window
It's magic
Love burning like little tweaks building up so high
Beautiful is the melody of your song
But where, Where is it leading astray
We becoming victims of love
Something so deep and natural
It's getting us closer
To the fire
Together so strong
Until the logs start to burn
Now we know we got a way
The fire is burning
It's volcanic
It's burning forever
Sweet passion
(Pase imodo) Sweet passion
(Ada) Raining in my emotion
(Ada ada) Baby you have my attention
(Pasa imodo) Sweet passion
(Ada) Raining in my emotion
(Ada ada)
You have my devotion and my solution
You are my destination
Passeni
Zandi imaju >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Pase imodo) Sweet passion
(Ada) My emotion
(Ada ada) Baby you have my devotion
(Pase imodo) Hey, Sweet passion
(Ada) My emotion
(Ada ada)
Waphuz' umqombothi laba (Waphuz' umqombothi)
Ayilali, Ayilali (Ayilali)
(Ayilali, Ayilali)
Uma uphuz' umqombothi (Waphuz' umqombothi)
Ayilali (Ayilali)
Ayilali, Ayilali (Ayilali, Ayilali)
Ungaphuzi iV.O, No V.O (Ungaphz' iV.O)
Ea robala (Iyalala)
Ha e bereke letho (Iyalala, Iyalala)
Bosiu botlhe ha o noa V.O (Ungaphz' iV.O)
Hee banna (Iyalala)
Iyalala, Iyalala (Iyalala, Iyalala)
Ngcono uphuz' umqombothi (Waphuz' umqombothi)
Ayilali (Ayilali)
(Ayilali, Ayilali)
Waphuz' umqombothi laba (Waphuz' umqombothi)
Ayilali (Ayilali)
(Ayilali, Ayilali)
The lyrics of Stimela's song Fire Passion Ecstasy speaks about deep and natural love that is burning like fire in the singer's heart. The song's opening lines' express this, "Ecstasy burning like fire in my heart, our song playing softly in the heat of night." The singer is describing a feeling of intense passion that is only amplified by the soft music being played in the background. The lyrics mention the two lovers are "lost in love" and are becoming "victims of love" because it's something so deep and natural that draws them closer to each other. The rest of the song speaks about the depth of their love and the beautiful melody that is leading them astray, but they are together and so strong.
The song's general theme describes the love affair between two lovers that is so intense that they are stuck in each other's embrace and can't let go. They are so deeply in love that nothing else matters but each other. The song's choice of words and poetic expressions amplify its meaning. The phrase "ecstasy burning like fire in my heart" is a clear indication of how deeply in love the singer is, while "lost in love" describes the lovers' state of mind.
In summary, the song Fire Passion Ecstasy by Stimela is about an intense love affair that is complete with passion and ecstasy. This love is so deep and natural that the lovers are "lost in love" and drawn closer to each other even when they try to escape. The poetic expressions used throughout the song amplify the meaning of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Ecstasy burning like fire in my heart
The feeling of ecstasy is so strong that it feels like burning fire in my heart.
Our song playing softly in the heat of night
The song we are listening to is playing softly in the heat of the night.
She ran the deepest type of desire in me
She has awakened a strong desire in me that I have never felt before.
We are one, Lost in love
We feel like we are one and completely lost in love with each other.
Sweet clouds of joy coming through the window
We are experiencing intense pleasure and happiness together, almost like sweet clouds of joy coming in through the window.
It's magic
The feeling we are experiencing is so intense and special that it feels like magic.
it's through the fire
The intensity of our love is like going through fire, but it's worth it.
Love burning like little tweaks building up so high
Our love is like a growing fire, burning brighter and brighter each day.
Beautiful is the melody of your song
You are beautiful and the way you express yourself is like a beautiful melody to me.
But where, Where is it leading astray
We are unsure where our love is taking us and where it will lead us in the future.
We becoming victims of love
We are giving ourselves to love completely, almost like we are powerless over it.
Something so deep and natural
Our love feels deep and authentic, almost like it's a natural part of us.
It's getting us closer
Our love is bringing us even closer together.
To the fire
Our love is like the intensity of a fire, bringing us closer together.
Together so strong
Together our love is strong and unbreakable.
Until the logs start to burn
Our love will continue to grow and intensify like logs in a fire.
Now we know we got a way
We now know that we have found a way to be together.
The fire is burning
The intensity of our love is still growing and burning hot.
It's volcanic
Our love is intense and passionate like a volcanic eruption.
It's burning forever
Our love is so strong that it will burn forever.
Sweet passion
Our love is filled with sweetness and passion.
Raining in my emotion
My emotions are overflowing like rain because of my love for you.
Baby you have my attention
I am giving you all of my attention because you are so important to me.
You have my devotion and my solution
I am devoted to you and will always be here to help find solutions to any problems we may face together.
You are my destination
You are my end goal and where I want to be.
Passeni Zandi imaju >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This line is unclear and it's difficult to give a precise meaning.
Waphuz' umqombothi laba (Waphuz' umqombothi)
Let's drink some traditional beer (let's drink some traditional beer).
Ayilali, Ayilali (Ayilali)
Sleeping, sleeping (sleeping).
Uma uphuz' umqombothi (Waphuz' umqombothi)
If you drink traditional beer (let's drink some traditional beer).
Ungaphuzi iV.O, No V.O (Ungaphz' iV.O)
Don't drink too much V.O or No V.O (Don't drink too much V.O).
Ea robala (Iyalala)
Go to sleep (sleep).
Ha e bereke letho (Iyalala, Iyalala)
There is nothing else left (sleep, sleep).
Bosiu botlhe ha o noa V.O (Ungaphz' iV.O)
All night don't drink V.O (Don't drink V.O).
Hee banna (Iyalala)
Oh my friends (sleep).
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@reconnecting_withthe_unive9533
Stimela will always be ahead of their times, even when the band is no more. You really made us proud!
@NewbirthMukosi
My favourite band since a young manπ
@michaelzakhelemvuna8417
One of big song from Stimela may Ray,Llyod,Isaac nd Nana souls continues to rest in peace...u stood tall legends
@NtokozoNdlo2612
AKA sampled this song for Sweet Fire πΏπ¦πΏπ¦πππ₯π―
@augustinendlovu3155
You can't get tired listening to this. Great song from Ray Phiri. Rest in peace. Lots of luv from πΏπΌ.
@davidmanamolela9388
It's all about the Love π of the musicβ€
@shirleykgaladi5204
Rest in peace brother
@NtokozoNdlo2612
AKA sampled this song for Sweet Fire β€β€β€πΏπ¦πΏπ¦πΏπ¦
@lwazintombela1149
The Peopleβs Band ....one and only in our lifetime
@berthalesia7629
Im a Great supporter of Stimela