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 – 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 – 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.
Look
Stimela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tells me that you lonely (Lonely for who)
The look in your eyes
Tells me that you're hurting
We're trapped in this game of love
Four people busy destroying each other
We are all in love but going about it the wrong way
We're trapped in this game of love
Friends in love
Spending nights alone
Daybreak comes with it's problems
I guess your coffee is getting cold
Mind the stairs
There's no light in the kitchen
Don't forget bring the milk
Hey I'm a fool
She loves me (Look)
She love me (Listen and decide)
I love another and another loves another
It's a circle of love
Iscamtho asikho (Iscamtho asikho)
Iscamtho asikho
Iscamtho asikho (Habaras)
Iscamtho asikho (Iscamtho asikho)
Iscamtho asikho (Heeeeeey)
Iscamtho asikho (Iscamtho asikho)
Habaras
Habaras
Four people trapped in love
There's no compromise
Fools believing in dreams
Hoping the light of day will bring happiness
We are afraid to reach out and touch
Pride is destroying everything we got
I can't believe
She loves another
And another loves another
Who gonna win
We are trap in this love
Ha ha ha haaaaa (We are trap)
Look listen and decide (It's up to us)
Ha ha ha haaaaa (To look listen)
Look listen and decide (And decide)
Ha ha ha haaaaa (And decide)
She loves me (Look listen)
I love another (And decide)
And another loves another
It's a circle of love
The look in your eyes
Tells me that you lonely (Lonely for who)
The look in your eyes
Tells me that you're hurting
Why not you for me
And him for her
You love me
Me love you
You love her
She love me
Everybody could be happy if we can stop being foolish
And believe we can be happy together
You love me
l love you
You love me
Me loving you
You love me back
l loving you
Let stay together and be just one big happy family
One big family
One big family
One big family
One big family
How can we keep on fooling ourselves
We are trap in this game of love
There are only two beds in the house
End up sleeping on the floor
He ends up sleeping on the couch
Talking in his sleep
Calling your name oooh
You heard him too
I'm sorry I noticed your pillow is wet
Have you been crying
Cause he loves another
I love you
He loves her and she love me
She love me
She love me
He love another (Look listen)
l love you (And decide)
He love her and she love me
It's a circle of love (Won't gonna do baby)
Iscamtho asikho (Won't gonna do baby)
Iscamtho asikho (Won't gonna do)
Iscamtho asikho (Won't gonna do baby)
Iscamtho asikho
Iscamtho asikho
Iscamtho asikho
Alalala
Alalala
Alalala
The lyrics to Stimela's song "Look Listen & Decide" explores the complexities of love and relationships. The first stanza introduces the idea that the look in someone's eyes can convey their state of loneliness and pain. The song then delves into the challenges of being caught in a game of love with four people who are destroying each other. The singer notes that they are all in love but are going about it the wrong way, fooling themselves in the process.
The chorus emphasizes the circular nature of love, as each person is connected to someone else in the group. The lyrics suggest that this cycle of love is trapping them, and they are unable to escape from it. They acknowledge that there is no compromise, and everyone is busy believing in dreams and hoping that happiness will come with the light of day.
The following verses explore the idea that pride is destroying everything they have, and they are afraid to reach out and touch each other. The lyrics suggest that everyone is in love with someone who loves someone else, and they wonder who will win in the end. The song concludes with a plea for everyone to stop being foolish and believe that they can be happy together.
Line by Line Meaning
The look in your eyes
The expression on your face
Tells me that you lonely (Lonely for who)
Indicates that you feel isolated and without companionship, possibly for a specific person
Tells me that you're hurting
Shows that you are in emotional pain
We're trapped in this game of love
We are stuck in a situation where romantic relationships are causing harm to everyone involved
Four people busy destroying each other
There are four individuals involved in a cycle of hurt and heartbreak
We are all in love but going about it the wrong way
Everyone in the situation is experiencing feelings of love, but they are not handling them in a healthy, positive manner
How long can we keep on fooling ourselves
We need to stop lying to ourselves and face the reality of our situation
Friends in love
Individuals who are friends have developed feelings for each other
Spending nights alone
Not spending the night with the person they want to be with
Daybreak comes with it's problems
The beginning of a new day brings its own set of difficulties
I guess your coffee is getting cold
An observation that some time has passed since preparing a cup of coffee
Mind the stairs
Be careful when descending a staircase
There's no light in the kitchen
The kitchen is without illumination
Don't forget bring the milk
Reminder to bring a carton of milk
Hey I'm a fool
I am acting foolishly
She loves me (Look)
The artist notes that the person they are interested in loves them back
She love me (Listen and decide)
The artist notes that the person they are interested in loves them back, but they need to think about what they want to do next
I love another and another loves another
Multiple individuals are in love with someone who is in love with someone else
It's a circle of love
A cycle of romantic feelings and heartbreaks that repeats itself
Iscamtho asikho (Iscamtho asikho)
Repeating the Zulu phrase for 'there is no escape'
Four people trapped in love
Four individuals are stuck in a complicated, painful romantic situation
There's no compromise
Nobody is willing to find a middle ground or come to an agreement
Fools believing in dreams
People who are not thinking rationally and hold unrealistic expectations
Hoping the light of day will bring happiness
Expecting that things will improve with time
We are afraid to reach out and touch
Fear of intimacy or vulnerability in a relationship
Pride is destroying everything we got
Stubbornness or ego is causing harm to any progress or stability in the situation
I can't believe
The singer is shocked by something they have learned
She loves another
The person they are interested in is in love with someone else
And another loves another
Someone else in the situation is in love with another individual who is not interested in them
Who gonna win
Who will come out on top in this situation?
We are trap in this love
Individuals are stuck in a complex, painful romantic situation
Ha ha ha haaaaa (We are trap)
Laughing sarcastically at the irony of their situation
Look listen and decide (It's up to us)
We need to examine the situation, listen to our hearts, and make a decision about what to do next
She loves me (Look listen)
The person they are interested in loves them back
I love another (And decide)
The singer loves someone else and needs to make a decision about what to do next
And another loves another
Another individual in the situation loves someone who is not interested in them
It's a circle of love (Won't gonna do baby)
The romantic situation will continue in a never-ending cycle if nothing changes
Iscamtho asikho (Won't gonna do baby)
Repeating that there is no escape from the painful situation they are in
Alalala
A sound of lament or mourning
One big family
The artists hope that everyone involved can come together and find a positive, happy resolution to their romantic difficulties
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mpho
on See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)
Love this song too much but never had an opportunity to know the rest of the message. i attended most of Stimela's concerts and this song has a special place in my heart. Thank you for sharing this message. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Nkini Moeng
on Zwakala (Come to Me)
I LOVE THE SONG VERY MUCH COULD YOU PLEASE ADD THE LYRICS.