Onyeabor's songs are often heavily rhythmic and synthesized, occasionally epic in scope, with lyrics decrying war and sung by both Onyeabor himself and female backing vocalists. In recent years a number of his songs have appeared on various compilations, most often his biggest hit, "Better Change Your Mind", which has appeared on Africa 100, World Psychedelic Classics 3: Love's a Real Thing - The Funky Fuzzy Sounds of West Africa, and Nigeria 70: The Definitive Story of 1970's Funky Lagos, through labels such as Luaka Bop.
Some biographies claim that he studied cinematography in Russia, returning to Nigeria in the 1970s to start his own Wilfilms music label and to set up a recording and production studio. He was later crowned a High Chief in Enugu, where he still lives as a businessman working on government contracts and running his own flour mill. According to the Luaka Bop record label, Onyeabor "self-released eight albums between 1977 and 1985 and then became a born-again Christian, refusing to ever speak about himself or his music again." The label reports that through attempting to speak with Onyeabor himself, and by talking to people who seem to have firsthand knowledge, it has been trying to construct an accurate biography of him for the past 18 months, without success.
In 2014, the music website Noisey, affiliated to Vice magazine, released a 31-minute documentary entitled Fantastic Man that documents Onyeabor's history and legacy as well as Noisey's attempt to track him down for an interview. 2014 also saw a touring supergroup called the Atomic Bomb! Band come together to play Onyeabor's music at a series of concerts and festivals around the world. The group includes David Byrne (of Talking Heads) and Money Mark (of the Beastie Boys).
In December 2014, William Onyeabor made his first radio appearance on the Lauren Laverne Show on BBC 6 Music, where he stated "I only create music that will help the world," whilst also admitting that he has never played live, and announcing that he had plans to release new material.
William Onyeabor died aged 72, peacefully, on January 16, 2017.
Atomic Bomb
Luaka Bop World Psychedelic Classics 5: Who is William Onyeabor?
Atomic Bomb
William Onyeabor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way I feel in me (how do you feel?)
I want to realize, women
The way I feel in me (how do you feel?)
I'm going to explode
(You mean you're gonna to explode?)
I'm going to explode, watch out
I'm going to explode
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
I want to realize, oh man
The way I feel in me, how do you feel?
I want to realize women
The way I feel in me (how do you feel?)
I'm going to explode
(You mean you're going to explode?)
I'm going to explode
I'm going to explode
Like atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
The lyrics of William Onyeabor's "Atomic Bomb" are quite enigmatic and hard to interpret on the surface. The opening lines suggest a desire for self-realization, with the singer wanting to understand and acknowledge the way they feel inside. However, the main refrain is all about exploding like an atomic bomb, which seems to suggest a desire for explosive, electrifying passion and energy.
It's possible that the song is a celebration of sexual or creative energy, which the singer wants to harness and unleash like a powerful force of nature. The repeated use of "how do you feel?" and the ambiguity of the pronouns (man, woman) could suggest that the song is about universal human desires and experiences, rather than any specific individual or group.
Overall, "Atomic Bomb" is a highly rhythmic and energetic song that celebrates the power of human passion and desire. It's a song that encourages listeners to let loose and embrace their instincts, no matter how explosive or intense they may be.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to realize, man
I desire to comprehend and fully express the emotions within myself, man
The way I feel in me (how do you feel?)
I am referring to my internal sensations; may I inquire about yours?
I want to realize, women
I also seek to understand and exhibit emotions similarly held by women
I'm going to explode
I am approaching an extreme level of emotional intensity that will soon manifest
(You mean you're gonna to explode?)
Are you questioning the legitimacy of my impending burst of emotions?
I'm going to explode, watch out
I advise you to beware of the emotional wave that is about to erupt from me
Like atomic bomb
The upcoming emotional surge will be akin to an atomic bomb
Atomic bomb
I will continue to refer to the emotional explosion as an atomic bomb
I want to realize, oh man
I continue to strive toward understanding and expressing my emotions, oh man
I'm going to explode
The emotional build-up has not subsided and I am indeed going to explode
I'm going to explode
The imminent explosion of emotions still holds true
Atomic bomb
Once again, I compare the upcoming emotional explosion to an atomic bomb
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: WILLIAM ONYEABOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@eriayoodetayo696
I'm crying. I'm 17 years old and this is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. So proud to be Nigerian right now.
@pimcgd2657
tu peux
@user-fq9lm3zy4k
It's pretty dam cool
@ricardoramirez-ue5li
Dude, I'm 51 frikin old years old & I'm in love with Nigeria right now.
I'm gonna explode!!!!
@ricardoramirez-ue5li
Dude, I'm 51 frikin old years old & I'm in love with Nigeria right now.
I'm gonna explode!!!!
@ricardoramirez-ue5li
Dude, I'm 51 frikin old years old & I'm in love with Nigeria right now.
I'm gonna explode!!!!
@vicchenyo
I'm Nigerian, and I must say I grew up listening to William Onyeabor's music in the '70s. My aunt was a teacher east of Kaduna town toward Jos city, capital of Plateau State. She used to have a large collection of LPs from all over the world.
This track was the one she used to serenade herself to sleep, not because it was not good, but because it was excellently done to send you to Cloud 7. To think that this was the '70s makes me really appreciate Onyeabor's musical effort.
There was none like him at that time. He was well ahead of the musical game. Unfortunately, he went off the radar but my aunts LPs are stored in my village store. This track "ATOMIC BOMB" reminds me of many things.
Thanks for bringing him back to light, I mean lamplight. I must say, thanks.
@thejesse
Thanks for sharing your memories. Music connects us all.
@joshnengi
Victor Yakubu I caught that man! lamplight! !!!!!!
@donjoe2186
Victor Yakubu f