With African percussion rhythms augmented by synthes… Read Full Bio ↴From Songfacts:
With African percussion rhythms augmented by synthesizers, this song was the brainchild of Brian Eno, who produced the Talking Heads Fear of Music album. Eno came up with similar sounds for his 1974 album Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy).
As for the lyrics, they came about when Eno suggested to David Byrne that he adapt the poem Gadji beri bimba by the German Dadaist writer Hugo Ball. Eno, Byrne and Ball are the credited writers on the song.
I Zimbra
Talking Heads Lyrics
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Lauli lonni cadori gadjam
A bim beri glassala glandride
E glassala tuffm I zimbra
Bim blassa galassasa zimbrabim
Blassa glallassasa zimbrabim
E glassala tuffm I zimbra
Gadji beri bimba glandridi
Lauli lonni cadora gadjam
A bim beri glassasa glandrid
E glassala tuffm I zimbra
The lyrics of the song "I Zimbra" by Talking Heads are written in a made-up language that the band calls "I-zi-Kieli." The lyrics are a mix of nonsense syllables and words borrowed from various languages, creating a sense of tribal chanting. The song opens with the repeated phrase "Gadji beri bimba clandridi," which is thought to be a reference to a poem by Hugo Ball, one of the founders of the Dada art movement that rejected traditional artistic conventions. The song also includes the phrase "A bim beri glassala glandride," which is reminiscent of African and Afro-Cuban drumming patterns.
The rest of the song is built around this similar pattern, with the nonsensical lyrics adding to the chaotic, frenzied feeling of the composition. The music has a strong percussion section and layers of synthesizers, creating a psychedelic atmosphere. The song's primal energy is reflective of Talking Heads' interest in exploring non-western and non-traditional musical sounds and structures. The lyrics and music come together to create a song that is both bizarre and captivating, leaving interpretation up to the listener's imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
Gadji beri bimba clandridi
An exclamation to express excitement and joy
Lauli lonni cadori gadjam
Feeling of unity and oneness with the world
A bim beri glassala glandride
Desire to connect and communicate with others
E glassala tuffm I zimbra
Expressing the power of communication and expression
Bim blassa galassasa zimbrabim
Chanting to harness the power of communication
Blassa glallassasa zimbrabim
Continuing the chant to amplify the power of communication
A bim beri glassala grandrid
Repeated desire to connect and communicate with others
E glassala tuffm I zimbra
Emphasizing the importance and power of communication
Gadji beri bimba glandridi
Repeating the initial exclamation to express joy and excitement
Lauli lonni cadora gadjam
Continuing to feel a sense of unity and oneness with the world
A bim beri glassasa glandrid
Continuing the desire to connect and communicate with others
E glassala tuffm I zimbra
Reaffirming the importance and power of communication
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID BYRNE, BRIAN ENO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind