The twins grew up in the Nigerian town of Ibadan, and were inspired musically by various artists including Aretha Franklin, Victor Olaiya and Miriam Makeba. They had guidance from music producer Lemmy Jackson who is credited with helping them with their early successes. Their music was a mix of Jazz, Afrobeat, Reggae and Waka. Sometimes they sang in English and other times in African languages. One of their first songs was arranged with assistance from jazz saxophone player Orlando Julius. They released their first album Iya Mi Jowo in 1969 after winning a record contract with Decca Records. They worked with the late Biddy Wright on their third album Danger (1976). They recorded Sunshine in 1978 and Horizon Unlimited in 1979.
The sisters were top stars in Nigeria during the 1970s and 1980s. During these years, they branched out to America and Europe and found modest success. They performed with drummer Ginger Baker's band Salt at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in Munich at the World Music Festival. The New York Times reported that the sisters were "smiling free spirits" who mixed "sisterly banter and flirtatiousness" in their performances which featured positive messages such as the benefit of returning home. Their reggae number Reincarnation insisted that if reincarnation was a reality, then they would like to be reincarnated again into the home where they grew up. Some of their song lyrics were politically themed. Their harmonies were described as "ethereal".
In 1984 Shanachie Records released Double Trouble in the US which was a compilation of their previously recorded material from their albums Horizon Unlimited and Danger. Their song "Orere Eljigbo" was included on a double CD entitled Nigeria 70, Africa 100, and was added to the Roots & Wings playlist in 1997.
The sisters moved to Brooklyn. They performed in various venues including the lower Manhattan club Wetlands and in Harlem with King Sunny Adé's African Beats as their backing band. They performed with the Philadelphia-based band Philly Gumbo. They were featured in the music documentary Konkombé by English director Jeremy Marre, and their music was featured in the Nigerian instalment of the 14-episode world music series entitled Beats of the Heart which aired on PBS during the late 1980s.
On 1 April 2014, they appeared live at an all-star tribute, the Atomic! Bomb Band, for reclusive Nigerian musician William Onyeabor at the Barbican Centre in London. They sang some of their own tracks including "Danger", as well as providing backing and lead vocals on William Onyeabor material. They also performed with the Atomic! Bomb Band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and on tour dates in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles in May 2014.
On 9 November 2019, Taiwo suffered a stroke and died on the same day, at the age of 71.
The New York Times music critic Jon Pareles described their music as "a West African parallel to the Pointer Sisters" with a mix of Nigerian Afro-beat, reggae, South African pop with elements of disco and "Memphis soul".[1] Critic Peter Watrous described the sisters sound as "riveting".
Reviewer Myles Boisen in All Music Guide wrote that they were "a rarity in the African music scene" and added that they were "liberated twin sisters who share the spotlight on smooth close harmonies and command a sharp, inventive backing band."
Discography
Lijadu Sisters
Title Year Label Type Band Notes
Iya Mi Jowo / Jikele – Maweni 1969 Decca album Lijadu Sisters title means "Mother, please"
Danger 1976 Decca, Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters Ade Jolaoso (bass), Johny Shittu (keyboards), Biddy Wright (guitar, saxophone, drums)
Mother Africa 1977 Afrodisia, Decca album (LP) Lijadu Sisters
Sunshine 1978 Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters Biddy Wright (producer, various instruments), Candido Obajimi (drums), Gboyega Adelaja (keyboards), Jerry Ihejeto (bass)
Horizon Unlimited 1979 Afrodisia album (LP) Lijadu Sisters two versions available; second source says 1983 release Musicians: Friday Jumbo on cleffs and ekwe, Buttley Moore, Nelly Uchendu on drums.
Double Trouble 1984 album Lijadu Sisters
"Orere Eligjigbo" 1997 Shanachie single Lijadu Sisters
Lifes Gone Down Low
The Lijadu Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lifes gone down low
Yeah
Lifes gone down low
I can tell what i know so so down low
Lifes gone down low
Yeah
Lifes gone down
I dont know yeeeeet
what to dooooo
It will take
on a little bit of understanding
Lifes gown down low
Yeah
Lifes gone down low
Yeah
Lifes gone down
Down
Down
Down
Downnnnnn
But its not too late for me and you if we hurry
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down
Down
Down
Down
downnnnnnnn
So people
get together ahaha
The only way
to be free
Yeeeeeehhhhah
Lifes going to get you
A little bit of understanding
Stop and look
Ohyeah
Man is headed for the nuclear power
Lifes gone down low
Yeah
Lifes gone down low
Yeah
Lifes gone down
Down
Down
Down
Downnnnnnnn
Oh do you know something baby
Lifes gone down low
Yeah
Lifes gone down low
I can tell what i know soso down low
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down
Baby you know come on listen to me
I dont know yet what to do
It will take on a little bit if understanding
Lifes gone down low
Yeah
Lifes gone down low
Yeah
life's gone down
Down
Down
Down
Down
downnnn
But its not to late for me and you if we hurry
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down
Down
Down
Down
Downnnnn
So people get togwther ahah
The only way to free
yeah
Lifes gonna give you
a little bit of understanding
Stop and look oh yeah
Or we headed for the nuclear power
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down
Down
Down
Down
Downnnn
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down low yeah
Lifes gone down low yeah
The Lijadu Sisters' song "Life's Gone Down Low" speaks to the theme of the human condition as one of decline and urgency. The song opens with the singer addressing their lover about the state of their life which has gone down low. Everyone around them is aware of it, but they seem to be in denial. The singer is uncertain about what to do next and suggests that it will take a little bit of understanding to turn things around. The repetition of the phrase "life's gone down low" emphasizes the gravity of the situation.
The urgency of the song is highlighted in the lines "But it's not too late for me and you if we hurry." The singer implores people to come together to achieve freedom from this decline. The lyrics suggest that without coming together, humanity risks destruction from nuclear power. The Lijadu Sisters use repetition in the chorus of the song to emphasize the gravity of the situation, and the need for immediate action.
In conclusion, "Life's Gone Down Low" by The Lijadu Sisters is a cautionary tale about the decline of humanity and the urgency of taking action to reverse it. The song's message is one of hope and encouragement, suggesting that it is not too late to turn things around.
Line by Line Meaning
Well Do you know something baby
The singer is addressing someone and asking if they know anything about the current state of affairs.
Lifes gone down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Yeah
An emphasis on the previous statement.
Lifes gone down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
I can tell what i know so so down low
The artist has information about the situation but is not at liberty to disclose it publicly.
Lifes gone down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Yeah
An emphasis on the previous statement.
Lifes gone down
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Baby you know come on listen to me
The artist is urging someone to pay attention and listen to what they have to say.
I dont know yeeeeet
The artist is uncertain about what actions to take.
what to dooooo
The singer is seeking guidance on what to do.
It will take
The situation will require.
on a little bit of understanding
Having knowledge and insight will be crucial.
Lifes gown down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Yeah
An emphasis on the previous statement.
Lifes gone down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Yeah
An emphasis on the previous statement.
Lifes gone down
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Down
-
Down
-
Down
-
Downnnnnnn
-
But its not too late for me and you if we hurry
There is still hope for improvement if action is taken quickly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Down
-
Down
-
Down
-
downnnnnnnn
-
So people get together ahaha
The singer is exhorting people to come together in unity.
The only way
The singular solution.
to be free
To experience liberty and autonomy.
Yeeeeeehhhhah
An exclamation of encouragement or excitement.
Lifes going to get you
Life will affect and influence you in various ways.
A little bit of understanding
Having knowledge and insight will be crucial.
Stop and look
Pause and take stock of the situation.
Ohyeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation.
Man is headed for the nuclear power
Humanity is on a trajectory towards catastrophic disaster (possibly nuclear war or environmental collapse).
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Down
-
Down
-
Down
-
Downnnn
-
Oh do you know something baby
The singer is addressing someone and asking if they have any knowledge or insight.
Lifes gone down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Yeah
An emphasis on the previous statement.
Lifes gone down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
I can tell what i know soso down low
The singer has information about the situation but is not at liberty to disclose it publicly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Baby you know come on listen to me
The singer is urging someone to pay attention and listen to what they have to say.
I dont know yet what to do
The singer is uncertain about what actions to take.
It will take on a little bit if understanding
Having knowledge and insight will be crucial.
Lifes gone down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Yeah
An emphasis on the previous statement.
Lifes gone down low
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Yeah
An emphasis on the previous statement.
life's gone down
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Down
-
Down
-
Down
-
Down
-
downnnn
-
But its not to late for me and you if we hurry
There is still hope for improvement if action is taken quickly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Down
-
Down
-
Down
-
Downnnnn
-
So people get togwther ahah
The singer is exhorting people to come together in unity.
The only way
The singular solution.
to free yeah
To experience liberty and autonomy.
Lifes gonna give you
Life will provide you with.
a little bit of understanding
Having knowledge and insight will be crucial.
Stop and look oh yeah
Pause and take stock of the situation.
Or we headed for the nuclear power
Humanity is on a trajectory towards catastrophic disaster (possibly nuclear war or environmental collapse).
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Down
-
Down
-
Down
-
Downnnn
-
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Lifes gone down low yeah
The state of life has deteriorated significantly.
Contributed by Daniel J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Bozha_Kapetanovic91
Serbia loves Lijadu Sisters!
@michaelkiptoomwaniki5456
The best music is discovered accidentally. I got off a late night shift and when I got in my car I accidentally tuned to a radio station with very weak signal and this was playing. I had to google the lyrics immediately so I wouldn’t lose the song. I am a huge fela kuti fan and can’t believe I didn’t know about these sisters (they are his cousins). Massive sound! 👯🔊🔊🔊🌍🔥
@aza.ak1ra
Michael Kiptoo Mwaniki Almost same here! :D Two days ago I was going home from my office at late night, I heard it on the radio and I instantly knew I had to capture it. The only difference is I used Shazam, which I can't recommend more if you haven't tried before.
@seyiidowu4754
They have about 4 or 5ive albums of grear music, you might want tocheck it out.
@nsquared8643
Just came in contact with these sister’s for the very first time today. The program “Democracy Now!” played a portion of this song as an interlude. They’re cousins of Fela Kuti, eh? I had the privilege of meeting his son, Femi Kuti, at his father’s club in Nigeria in 2019!!
@thomashorne5921
Its so easy these days. I found an unmarked mixtape by the side of the road in the mid 90's and it was packed with BANGING tracks that took me many years to identify. There was a cool mysterious thing about life back then though, that is much harder to find now. So much was hearsay, or nebulously-formed ideas based on years of different conversations with people of various reliability.
Anyway, yeah, the Lijadu Sisters are amazing. They were on the tape and they only took me 5 or so years to ID as I bought a compilation called 'Nigeria '70' around 2001 and discovered the same voices on it!
@pmamudu1
Came here to listen to this music when I learnt one of the sisters just passed on at the age of 71. Rest In Peace Kehinde Lijadu. Your twin will miss you but you will always be fondly remembered by everyone of us who enjoyed your music when we were kids. Rest on one of the Lijadu sisters.
@roselineolaiya5830
Not 71, but 61 years.
@nikeawosemo6901
71 not 6q
@nikeawosemo6901
Not 61