Formed in 1982, in strikingly unusual circumstances for a musical ensemble, Tinariwen blend ancient musical traditions with radical contemporary politics. Despite severe natural and man-made hardships, young Kel Tamashek exiles continued performing the traditional music of their Tuareg forebears in the southern Sahara while simultaneously fighting against the government of Mali.
Forced to seek an alternative to starvation and repression in drought-stricken Mali, many of these young nomads hoped to attain a better life by striking up what proved to be an uneasy alliance with Libya. The hoped-for aid in their struggle with the Mali government failed to materialize, but in the meantime some of the rebels had evolved a form of music that kept alive the music of their forefathers while simultaneously communicating radical political messages. This music is known as tishoumaren, music of the ishumar (the unemployed). Usually performed by groups of 30 and more instrumentalists and singers, tishoumaren acknowledges contemporary western music, especially rock, as well as other music forms prevalent in the Middle East, while never losing touch with the original ancient form. In some instances, players not only adapt traditional forms but also substitute modern instruments for the traditional lutes, flutes and one-string violins. The electric guitar in particular has become popular, even though circumstances demand the availability of portable generators.
The name chosen by this band, Tinariwen, means empty places, thus maintaining a further link to the vast desert regions of the southern Sahara. The musicians include Said Ag Ayad, Alhassane Ag Touhami, Eyadou Ag Leche, Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, Abdallah Ag Lamida, Abdallah Ag Alhousseyni and Bassa Walet Abdoumou.
The music itself is spare and haunting, an aural reflection of those same open spaces. The lyrics of their songs, perhaps more accurately termed sung poetry, carry outspoken political thought that draws attention not only to repression in Mali, but also to the enforced exile of many and the continuing struggle for self-determination of the Tuareg nomads. Song structures are many and varied and include elemental call-and-response patterns as well as (to western ears) discordant notes that call to mind the blue notes favoured by western blues and jazz players overlaid upon a solid four-beat rhythmic foundation that is itself uncommon to the region although compatible with much western popular music.
Tinariwen's first recordings were to cassette, sales and even possession of which carried harsh penalties in Mali and Algeria. In the early 00s, availability of albums encouraged more widespread awareness of the music and its underlying political messages.
Tenalle Chegret
Tinariwen Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can think that I'm just playin' games
You can think I'll do you wrong
You can think that I don't mean a word I say
You can think what you want
(What you want)
But if you think you're gonna stop the way
I feel about you
'Cause I'm not changing my mind
Can't stop the rain from falling down, oh
Can't stop the world from turnin' 'round, oh
Can't stop my heart from loving you
No, no, no, no, no matter what you do, baby
You can trust that I'm gonna stay around
You can trust I'll treat you right
(I'll treat you right)
You can be sure that I won't ever let you down
Sure as there are stars in the night
(In the night)
And if you ever think there'll come a day
I'll live without you
Baby, you're as wrong as can be
Can't change the way that I feel
Can't stop the rain from falling down, oh
Can't stop the world from turnin' 'round, oh
Can't stop my heart from loving you
No, no, no, no, no matter what you do, baby
Can't stop a river running free, no
Can't stop this love I feel in me, no
Can't stop my heart from loving you
No, no, no, no, no matter what you do, baby
Can't stop the wind, can't stop the sea
Can't stop the feelin' I feel in me
Night needs the stars, stars need the sky
And I'll always need you here in my life
Oh, can't stop my love, can't stop my heart
I'm in too deep, I've gone too far
(Oh oh)
Never gonna stop, never gonna stop
Lovin' you, oh
But if you think you're gonna stop the way
I feel about you
Baby, you're just wastin' your time
'Cause I'm not changing my mind
Can't stop the rain from falling down
(Just can't stop the rain)
Can't stop the world from turnin' 'round
(Can't stop, oh)
Can't stop my heart from loving you
(My heart, baby)
No, no
(No, no)
No matter what you do, baby
Can't stop a river running free
Can't stop this love I feel in me
Can't stop my heart from loving you
No, no, no, no, no matter what you do, baby
Can't stop the rain from falling down
(I'm here by your side)
Can't stop the world from turnin' 'round
(I'm gonna love you forever)
Can't stop my heart from loving you
(Can't stop my heart from loving you)
No no, no matter what you do, baby
Can't stop the rain from falling down
Hey oh oh
The singer is starting the song with an upbeat vocalization
You can think that I'm just playin' games
The singer acknowledges that their love may not be taken seriously
You can think I'll do you wrong
The singer acknowledges that they may not be trusted by their loved one
You can think that I don't mean a word I say
The singer acknowledges that their words may not carry weight in the minds of their loved one
You can think what you want
(What you want)
The singer accepts that the perception of their love is up to the listener
But if you think you're gonna stop the way
I feel about you
Regardless of the listener's perception of the singer's love, they will continue to feel deeply about their loved one
Baby, you're just wastin' your time
The singer asserts that their loved one's attempt to sway their feelings is futile
'Cause I'm not changing my mind
The singer is steadfast and determined in their love
Can't stop the rain from falling down, oh
Can't stop the world from turnin' 'round, oh
Can't stop my heart from loving you
No, no, no, no, no matter what you do, baby
The chorus conveys that the singer's love is unstoppable and unbreakable, no matter what life throws their way
You can trust that I'm gonna stay around
You can trust I'll treat you right
(I'll treat you right)
You can be sure that I won't ever let you down
Sure as there are stars in the night
(In the night)
The singer assures their loved one that they are trustworthy and dependable, and their love is as certain as the stars in the night sky
And if you ever think there'll come a day
I'll live without you
Baby, you're as wrong as can be
Can't change the way that I feel
The singer emphatically states that their love is too strong to ever imagine a life without their loved one, and that their feelings are unchangeable
Can't stop a river running free, no
Can't stop this love I feel in me, no
Can't stop my heart from loving you
No, no, no, no, no matter what you do, baby
Similar to the chorus, the singer reiterates that their love is unstoppable and uncontainable
Can't stop the wind, can't stop the sea
Can't stop the feelin' I feel in me
Night needs the stars, stars need the sky
And I'll always need you here in my life
The singer uses a series of poetic metaphors to illustrate that their love is an integral part of their life, much like the stars are to the night sky
Oh, can't stop my love, can't stop my heart
I'm in too deep, I've gone too far
(Oh oh)
The singer admits that their love has taken over their heart and soul, and they are fully committed to their loved one
Never gonna stop, never gonna stop
Lovin' you, oh
The singer makes the unequivocal statement that they will never stop loving their partner
Can't stop the rain from falling down
(Just can't stop the rain)
Can't stop the world from turnin' 'round
(Can't stop, oh)
Can't stop my heart from loving you
(My heart, baby)
No, no
(No, no)
No matter what you do, baby
The final chorus reiterates the immovable strength of the singer's love and the inevitability of its presence in their life
Writer(s): Ibrahim Ag Alhabib Copyright: Emma Productions S.a.r.l.
Contributed by Sydney C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Connie Weiss
I am in love with your music Tiwariwen , I was looking for something different an I found it you've got a fabulous sound, great guitars. Singing is awsome.💚 very sentious . This so good like all the others of yours Is so beautiful, magnetic, a bit salutary, dreamy, romantic. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍♥🐱
Roger Romarit
it's all right, you have to look at their history and their life's existence in the desert... it's a complicated situation between suffering and making songs and this beautiful musique.
SKRNAN
There are translated by my channel 👍
Abotal Ag ibrahim
vive les peuple touareg ✌courage Ibrahim ❤
Azul Aventuras
nice song , love it !
Aladdin Goudjil
Only the Martyrs understand the true joy of revolution - unfortunately it would always too late to ask them what it feels to be free , because they would be gone by then - may Allah accept them and reward them all - Amiin
safanososa
nice... is there any translation please?
Felix alejandro Cardoso
👍🌹
afir arabi
top ça me rappelle le hogar tammenrasset
Izm Mazigh
ayuz imazighen mani glan ✌🏻