Nkosi used his savings as a domestic worker to buy a second-hand saxophone and soon left the group again looking for his own recording contract. Still playing sessions for Gallo Records, now on sax, Nkosi and friends began to explore a new "harder" sound, later to be called mbaqanga. Soon they were touring with bands put together by well-known producer Rupert Bopape. It was during one of these gigs that Nkosi hooked up with Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens who were dancing back-up to the music groups.
Nkosi went on to producer and manage groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens.
Reputed to have had the greatest number of consecutive hit records of any band anywhere in the world.
Up and Down
West Nkosi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back up and down everyday.
I'm getting kind of tired.
Talk to myself along the way,
People will start to think I'm crazy.
It keeps me sane, though.
I stare too much and too long,
I get busted all the time.
Does anyone really care
Or do they get that compliment too often?
I only hate what I don't like about myself.
I'm sorry if I see myself in you,
'cause there's nothing you can do.
I only trust as far as I can see
And I forget all the things I trusted just weren't true.
Maybe if I believe in it just enough
I'll remember that it really happened someday.
I try so hard not to care what you think of me.
I try so hard just to make you like me.
I try so hard not to care what you think of me.
I try so hard just to make you like me.
You rock it out like no one can.
You rock it out like no one can.
You rock it out like no one can.
West Nkosi's song "Up and Down" is a reflection on the internal struggles of the singer as he traverses through daily life. The opening lines, "I walk up and down and up and down, back up and down everyday," alludes to the mundanity of daily life and how it can feel like a never-ending cycle of ups and downs. The singer then admits to feeling tired, further emphasizing the mental and emotional exhaustion that the cycle can evoke.
The chorus, "I try so hard not to care what you think of me. I try so hard just to make you like me," reveals the internal anxiety that the singer has about the perceptions others have of him. The line, "Maybe if I believe in it just enough, I'll remember that it really happened someday," suggests that the singer is desperately seeking validation and affirmation from others to justify his behaviors and choices.
The singer also admits to talking to himself along the way, which he fears may be perceived as crazy by others. However, he finds solace in this as it helps him maintain his sanity. Additionally, he expresses frustration with how often people receive compliments, suggesting that they may not be genuine or sincere.
Overall, "Up and Down" is a poignant reflection on the internal struggle of the human psyche, highlighting the desire for validation and acceptance from others while also grappling with the fear of being perceived as crazy or disingenuous.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk up and down and up and down,
I feel like I'm stuck in a repetitive cycle.
Back up and down everyday.
Every day seems to be the same and I can't escape it.
I'm getting kind of tired.
I'm exhausted from the monotony of my routine.
Talk to myself along the way,
I use self-talk as a way to cope.
People will start to think I'm crazy.
I'm aware that my behavior might come across as abnormal.
It keeps me sane, though.
Talking to myself helps me stay grounded and prevents me from losing my mind.
I stare too much and too long,
I have a tendency to fixate on things for too long.
I get busted all the time.
I'm aware that people catch me staring and it makes me uncomfortable.
Does anyone really care
I wonder if anyone is paying attention to me.
Or do they get that compliment too often?
I'm questioning if people are genuine in their praise.
I only hate what I don't like about myself.
I've come to realize that I only hate the things in others that remind me of myself.
I'm sorry if I see myself in you,
I'm apologizing in advance because I know my reactions may be projection-based.
'cause there's nothing you can do.
I understand that it's unfair to blame others for my issues.
I only trust as far as I can see
I struggle with trust and need visual proof to believe something or someone.
And I forget all the things I trusted just weren't true.
I've been betrayed in the past, and it's hard for me to trust again.
Maybe if I believe in it just enough
I'm hoping that if I believe in something enough, it will eventually come true.
I'll remember that it really happened someday.
I'm hoping that, one day, the thing I believe in will actually come to pass.
I try so hard not to care what you think of me.
I'm self-conscious and worry about others' opinions.
I try so hard just to make you like me.
I'll go out of my way to impress others and get them to like me.
You rock it out like no one can.
You're impressing me with your skills and talent.
You rock it out like no one can.
You're impressing me with your skills and talent.
You rock it out like no one can.
You're impressing me with your skills and talent.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID MELTZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind