The Manhattan Brothers was a popular South African singing group in the 194… Read Full Bio ↴The Manhattan Brothers was a popular South African singing group in the 1940s and 1950s, during the Apartheid Era. Their sound drew on American ragtime, jive, swing, doo-wop, and several other jazz strains, as well as African choral and Zulu harmonies. Members of the group included Joe Mogotsi, Ronnie Sehume, Rufus Khoza, the late Nathan Mdledle, and Miriam Makeba. Makeba, who went on to international fame, started her career with The Manhattan Brothers and was part of the group for much of the 1950s. The group has one US Billboard pop chart hit, "Lovely Lies", which peaked at #45 in March 1956.
Joe Mogotsi died on 19 May 2011 in Johannesburg, following a long illness.

During the late 90s a young group of talented rural Afro Jazz musicians from around Ladysmith, Kwa Zulu Natal, with the approval of Miriam Makeba and Joe Mogotsi,and Derrik Torrini formed a tribute band aptly titled Junior Manhattan Brothers. This group of young stars were also gaining notoriety as they continued the civil rights activism begun by their predecessors.
Lead by well respected Afro Jazz local legend Nkosinathi (Nathi) Hadebe, the group consisted at various times, of 4 to 6 'vibrant and awesomely talented' members, including Vusumuzi (Vusi) Madondo, Lindokuhle (Ndo) Makathini, Fanizile (Jeffrey) Nzuza, Bongani Mabaso, Lungisani Mhlongo, Thabo Motsamai - and following the passing of two founding members, reformed in 2012 to 'take a stand' in memory of their mentors and beloved former members bringing in new members to compliment the existing lineup.
Blending traditional, gospel, Afro Jazz, jive, doo-wop, swing ragtime and any other musical genre they could incorporate, with or without musical accompaniment they are able to collectively bring the house down in seconds. The JMB were also instrumental in the artistic and musical aspects of the local movie starring Taye Diggs, DRUM.
Contractual restrictions were cited as being a constant barrier between the JMB and worldwide success, with extensive interest from promoters in the US and Australia.
In between JMB performances and their collective years with Soweto Gospel Choir/Iphi Ntombi, the JMB performed for, and with, the remaining members of the original Manhattan Brothers outfit http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2010/11/24/acclaimed-artists-set-for-soweto-gig, and just prior to the passing of Joe Mogotsi, the JMB were hallmarked for greatness and international acclaim. Nathi began his memoirs just prior to his death and a biography and biopic are planned in the near future.

Be My Guest
The Manhattan Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Knock knock
Who's there?
Well, I
Declare
How do
It's you
Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?

Take off
Your hat
The wel-
come mat
Is out
For you
Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?

My house
Is open house for you
Remove your shoes
I'll lose
Your blues for you

Relax
With me
In slacks
With me
Play sax
With me
Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?

Knock knock
Who's there?
Well, I
Declare
How do
It's you
Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?

Take off
Your hat
The wel-
come mat
Is out
For you
Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?

My house
Is open house for you
Remove your shoes
I'll lose
Your blues for you

Relax
With me
In slacks
With me
Play sax
With me
Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?

Come in and make yourself at home
Let's have a ball, we're all alone
Come in and I'll ignore the phone
Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?

Come in and make yourself at home
Let's have a ball, we're all alone

Come in and I'll ignore the phone
Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?

Overall Meaning

The Manhattan Brothers' song "Be My Guest" is an invitation to someone the singer wants to spend time with. The opening lines "Knock knock, who's there? Well, I declare, how do? It's you" indicate the singer is happy to see the person at the door. The lines "Take off your hat, the welcome mat is out for you" indicate the person is welcome and should make themselves at home. The singer wants to make the person comfortable and happy.

The lines "My house is open house for you, remove your shoes, I'll lose your blues for you" indicate the singer wants to create a relaxing and calming environment for the person. The lines "Relax with me, in slacks with me, play sax with me" indicate the singer wants to spend time with the person and share hobbies and interests. The repeated lines "Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?" emphasize the singer's desire for the person to stay and spend time with them.

Overall, the song is a charming and romantic invitation to spend time with someone special. The singer wants to create a warm and inviting atmosphere and share their interests with the person. The repeated invitation to "be my guest" indicates the singer's desire for the person to feel welcome and valued.

Line by Line Meaning

Knock knock
Someone is at the door

Who's there?
Asking who is at the door

Well, I
Person is surprised and excited to see who is at the door

Declare
Expressing excitement and anticipation for who is at the door

How do
Asking how the person is doing

It's you
Person is happy to see the visitor

Hey, won't you come in and be my guest?
Inviting the visitor to come inside and be welcomed

Take off
Asking visitor to remove their hat

Your hat
Referring to the visitor's hat

The welcome mat
Symbolic reference to the hospitality and openness of the house

Is out
Indicating that the house is ready to welcome the visitor