Africa
The Knack Lyrics


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step inside
so you step inside
and you hear a sound
from another room
air disturbed
with a foreign sound
and you look around
electricity

it's just got to be
you can't be sure
'til you open up the door
open up the door

steal away
so you steal away
and the light is low
and it disappears
day for night
and the passing car
and the air is charged
curiousity

deep jungle of night
safe on a sullen street




soft echos of light
shimmering heat

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Knack's song "Africa" are open to various interpretations, but at its core, it appears to be a song about exploration and discovering something new. The first verse talks about stepping inside a place and hearing a sound coming from another room. There's a sense of curiosity and anticipation, as the singer is unsure of what to expect but can feel the electricity in the air. The chorus carries this sense of mystery forward, with the singer needing to open a door to confirm what they already suspect - that there's something exciting and unknown on the other side.


Line by Line Meaning

step inside
Enter into a new place


so you step inside
You have entered the place


and you hear a sound
There is a noise in the background


from another room
The noise is coming from a different location


air disturbed
The atmosphere is affected by the sound


with a foreign sound
The sound is not familiar


and you look around
You survey the surroundings


electricity
A sense of excitement and anticipation


it's just got to be
You have a strong feeling about something


you can't be sure
You are uncertain


'til you open up the door
You need to investigate to find out


open up the door
Explore what's behind the door


steal away
Sneak away


so you steal away
You are leaving quietly


and the light is low
It's dark


and it disappears
It vanishes


day for night
It's like nighttime during the day


and the passing car
A car goes by


and the air is charged
The atmosphere is energized


curiosity
You are eager to explore


deep jungle of night
An intense and mysterious atmosphere


safe on a sullen street
You feel secure on a quiet and gloomy street


soft echos of light
Gentle and subtle reflections of light


shimmering heat
An intense and dazzling warmth




Contributed by Nolan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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