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.
The Unfinished Story
Stimela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the bad news
That's the story
The unfinished story
It's all about this band
That has a dream
People, people
A dream has to be followed
Where were you
When they hated
Telling me lies
So watch the end
Some said where did we go wrong
I do stuff and was so proud
And screamed
Hey, hey, zwakala
Then the prophecy began
With Don't Whisper In the Deep
Speak up your mind
Phinda mzala
Awuphinde mzala
The lyrics of Stimela's song The Unfinished Story depict the struggles of a band trying to achieve their dream despite facing numerous obstacles. The opening lines, "Read all about it, In the bad news, That's the story, The unfinished story," suggests that the media and society are preoccupied with negative news, leaving the band's story incomplete and unheard. The band members are depicted as determined individuals who are willing to pursue their dream of success despite the challenges they face. The lines "It's all about this band, That has a dream, People, people, See, have undecided, A dream has to be followed," highlight the importance of chasing after one's aspirations in the face of uncertainty.
The song alludes to the haters who tried to sabotage the band's aspirations as depicted in the lines, "Where were you, When they hated, Telling me lies, So watch the end." However, despite the setbacks, the band members refused to be deterred and continued to follow their dreams as illustrated by the lines, "Some said where did we go wrong, I do stuff and was so proud, And screamed, Hey, hey, zwakala." The song ends on a prophetic note with the lines "Then the prophecy began, With Don't Whisper In the Deep, Speak up your mind, Phinda mzala, Awuphinde mzala" suggesting that the band's story is far from over, and that they will continue to rise above the negativity to achieve success.
Line by Line Meaning
Read all about it
Attention everyone, listen closely
In the bad news
In the news that isn't good
That's the story
That is what's happening
The unfinished story
And it isn't complete yet
It's all about this band
This story is about a musical group
That has a dream
They have aspirations and goals
People, people
Attention everyone
See, have undecided
Some people are uncertain
A dream has to be followed
But dreams must be pursued
Where were you
Where were you during our difficulties
When they hated
When others showed hostility
Telling me lies
Lying about us to our detriment
So watch the end
Spectate the unfortunate outcome
Some said where did we go wrong
Critics questioned our mistakes
I do stuff and was so proud
But we took action and were happy with our choices
And screamed
Expressing our joy loudly
Hey, hey, zwakala
Come on, let's go
Then the prophecy began
The prediction began to come true
With Don't Whisper In the Deep
Warned to speak up when trouble arises
Speak up your mind
Share your opinions and thoughts
Phinda mzala
Come back my friend
Awuphinde mzala
Please come back again
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@khulekaningema7970
Unfinished story that's my favorite song by Stimela back in the early 90's.
@Living7Stone
Was 19 and am still in love with that song
@valufeeds4884
This album came out in 1986, the same year Stimela got involved in a fatal accident which claimed some of the Hot Soul Singers backing vocalists. Ray Phiri had broken ribs and was hospitalised for sometime. One of the greatest bands indeed.
@berthalesia7629
Yes I remember He was flown to Morning Side Clinic in Sandton it was under CHL ClinicsHolding Limited very Critical everyone was scared. The Lady who lost her Life was from the group called The Angel's and her Name was Jane Madubane and she was the lead singer she was from KZN if I remember m
@berthalesia7629
Correct me if I'm wrong I was 13 yeast old
@thegeneral1075
@@berthalesia7629correct that lady was Jean Madubane from KZN, she was the lead singer of the group The Angels which consisted Tu Nokwe's sister Marilyn Nokwe and the late Nohlanhla Dhlomo who passed away in 2019, Jean Madubane sang duet with Ray Phiri on the song called Time which came from the same album as Unfinished Story, track 6 on the album, yes the accident happened in 1987, Stimela was traveling to the then Orange Free State, Ray and the band were the number enemy of the Apartheid state due to thier songs and titles, that accident took the lives of Ashley Subel and manger Peter Kunene
@goodmannkosi6877
❤ the greatest of SA Giants
@15lastone
I watched this music for the very first time back in the 80s when I was just 7yrs and fall in love ❤️ 😍 since. I love the song, the band and the King Phiri himself🙏. Rest in peace King 🤴 🙏
@NtokozoNdlo2612
I was born in 1998 but i love this Band music
They say it's for elders
@rosina1998
I was also born in 1998, my dad introduced me to this music..bona music is music ..doesn't matter how old