Kitchen's career of over 45 years as a performing musician gave him a richly-varied musical background. He was involved in a host of musical ventures that included Harry was a Snake (an experimental acoustic outfit), Curry and Rice with guitarist Steve Newman, the seven-piece jazz outfit Equinoxe, Bafo Bafo with zulu maskanda guitarist Madala Kunene, The Aquarian Quartet with fellow aquarians Tony Cox, Steve Newman and Greg Georgiades and of course his own solo career.
Since the 70's, guitarist/ singer/ songwriter SYD KITCHEN was an innovative, active, non-compromising part of the South African musical landscape. He was a highly-acclaimed teacher, thinker and published poet, he performed extensively at Festivals and clubs throughout South Africa, both solo and with various combinations.
He released several critically acclaimed albums; all born of an eclectic, curious spirit unfazed by market-place considerations or the wishes of others.
This eclecticism and freedom of spirit has seen his musical journey traverse the KITCHEN BROTHERS, through EQUINOX, HARRY WAS A SNAKE, THE UTENSILS, THE FLYING SOMBREROS, to his his most recent collaborations in AMAKOOL, the AQUARIAN QUARTET (with Steve Newman, Greg Georgiades and Tony Cox) and BAFO BAFO (with Madala Kunene).
SYD KITCHEN lived in Durban, South Africa, where he taught music while reading for his MA/Ph.D. in Musicology with the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Calling
Syd Kitchen Lyrics
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You beat your chest with pride
You turn your anger on the weak and the helpless
You say it's justified.
I'm calling on you, I'm calling on you
Calling out,
Calling out like a fire raging to the sky
Calling out,
Calling on you, hear me calling on you
Brighten up, I'm in a nerve at the end of your foot
I'm in the heart of the fish that you've hooked
I'm in the eyes of the bulldozed trees
I'm in the lungs of the oil soaked seas
I'm in the air that we breathe
And I'm calling, calling...
You spit your hate like a snake with such quickness
You poison everything
You sing your song of the brave and the fearless
Stand up let's hear you sing
I'm calling on you, I'm calling on you
Calling out,
Calling out like thunder in the sky
Calling out,
Calling out to the faceless ones who know, who know why
Calling on you, calling on you
Brighten up, I'm in a nerve at the end of your foot
I'm in the heart of the fish that you've hooked
I'm in the eyes of the bulldozed trees
I'm in the lungs of the oil soaked seas
I'm in the air that we breathe
And I'm calling, calling,
Calling
Syd Kitchen's song "Calling" is a passionate critique of someone who spreads lies, hatred, and anger. The opening of the lyrics presents this person as spinning lies like a thief does his sickness as they are consumed by their own sickness. The person beats their chest with pride when they turn their anger towards the weak and the helpless, and they justify their actions. In response to this, the singer is calling out to them, raging like a fire to the sky and demanding an answer to the question "why?" The singer urges the person to brighten up and take notice of the harm they are causing, which can be found in the end of their nerves, the heart of the fish they have hooked, the eyes of the bulldozed trees, and the lungs of the oil-soaked seas. The singer also reminds them that they are in the air that we breathe, suggesting that their actions are endangering all living beings on this planet.
The second verse begins with the singer describing the person as spitting hatred like a snake with quickness, poisoning everything with their words. The person sings a song of bravery and fearlessness, but in reality, they are only spreading more hate. The singer continues to call out to them, this time like thunder in the sky to the faceless ones who know why. While the lyrics are not specific about who the person being addressed is, it is clear that they are causing great harm and that there is an urgent need for them to reconsider their actions.
The lyrics of "Calling" resonate deeply with listeners who are disillusioned with the false narratives spread by those in power. The song speaks to the urgency of challenging those who spread lies, hatred, and anger and who justify their actions. It reminds us that we must collectively work towards a brighter future where all living beings can thrive.
Line by Line Meaning
You spin your lies like a thief spins his sickness
You tell lies in a cunning and deceitful way, much like how a thief uses their skills to cause harm.
You beat your chest with pride
You boast about your accomplishments with a sense of self-importance.
You turn your anger on the weak and the helpless
You channel your rage towards those who cannot defend themselves and are vulnerable.
You say it's justified.
You believe your actions are righteous and warranted.
I'm calling on you, I'm calling on you
I am requesting your attention and asking you to be accountable for your behavior.
Calling out,
Calling out like a fire raging to the sky
I am shouting and demanding change, like a destructive fire that cannot be contained.
Calling out,
Calling out like an unborn child asking why
I am pleading for an explanation, much like how an innocent and curious unborn child might do.
Calling on you, hear me calling on you
I am specifically calling out to you and urging you to listen to what I have to say.
Brighten up, I'm in a nerve at the end of your foot
You may not feel my presence or understand the impact of your actions, but I am a part of you and your surroundings.
I'm in the heart of the fish that you've hooked
I am within the innocent creatures that you have harmed and caused suffering to.
I'm in the eyes of the bulldozed trees
I am within the natural world that you have destroyed and disrespected for your own gain.
I'm in the lungs of the oil soaked seas
I am within the polluted and contaminated environments that you have contributed to with your careless actions.
I'm in the air that we breathe
I am present in the very air that sustains all life on this planet.
And I'm calling, calling...
I will continue to reach out and call for change until you listen and take action to make things right.
Contributed by Caden M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.