N'Dour was born in Medina in Dakar, Senegal, in 1959 and started his music career singing in small clubs in Dakar in the Wolof language, which is predominantly spoken in Senegal and Gambia. He's most popular for his mbalax beat which gave him the title "Roi de Mbalax" (King of Mbalax), and is a household name in Senegal, Gambia and neighbouring countries in West Africa with a long list of hits from the early days in the 70s to date.
In 1979, he formed his own ensemble, the Etoile de Dakar. His early work with Etoile de Dakar was in the typical Latin style popular all over Africa during that time, but in the 1980s he developed a unique sound when he started his current group, Super Etoile de Dakar, featuring Jimi Mbaye on guitar, bassist Habib Faye, and tama (talking drum) player Assane Thiam.
N'Dour was introduced to the Western audience when Peter Gabriel had him appear on his 'So' album (in 1986) and theb took N'Dour and The Super Etoile de Dakar on the road with him in a subsequent world tour. N'Dour has also collaborated with a lengthy list of influential artists including Paul Simon, Neneh Cherry, and Branford Marsalis.
He is endowed with remarkable range and poise, a composer, bandleader, and producer with a prodigious musical intelligence. The New York Times most recently described his voice as an "arresting tenor, a supple weapon deployed with prophetic authority". N'Dour absorbs the entire Senegalese musical spectrum in his work, often filtering this through the lens of genre-defying rock or pop music from outside Senegalese culture.
Youssou N´Dour is currently the new minister of Culture of Senegal as a reward for his campaign against the former president of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade who was defeated by Macky Sall in February 2012.
Liggeey
Youssou N'Dour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And no one knows what the next day will bring
It's time to get to work
I challenge you to work
There's no secret about this
You reap what you sow
It is almost impossible to catch up
And no one knows what the next day will bring
It's time to get to work
I challenge you to work
Hard work is the only key to dignity
Listen my friend, no matter how menial that work is
I cherish it more than anything else
When you are a position of authority
You should set good examples for others to follow
Be at work before everybody else
And try to be the last one to leave
After you've missed a day's work
It is almost impossible to catch up
And no one knows what the next day will bring
It's time to get to work
I challenge you to work
After you've missed a day's work
It is almost impossible to catch up
And no one knows what the next day will bring
Work is important
So I challenge all of you to make work a priority
No matter how young you are
Let me remind you that work is the only key to dignity
Your presence is essential
At work by 9, out by 10 to run your own errands
Let me remind you that
After you've missed a day's work
It is almost impossible to catch up
And no one knows what the next day will bring
It's time to get to work
I challenge you to work
No matter what, let's make work a priority
It builds a nation, let's work
A day like this will come
A day like the will go
A day like this will come
A day like the will go
A day like this will come
A day like the will go, so easy
The song Liggeey by Youssou N'Dour is a call to action and a reminder that hard work is the only key to dignity. The lyrics emphasize that it is important to be punctual and dedicated to work, as missing a day can make it almost impossible to catch up. The song also highlights the idea that work is not just about earning money, but also about contributing to the betterment of society and building a nation. The repeated refrain of "It's time to get to work, I challenge you to work" reinforces the idea that hard work is essential for personal and societal success.
One interesting fact about the song is that "Liggeey" means "dignity" in Wolof, the language of Senegal. This reflects the central theme of the importance of dignity in the lyrics. Another notable aspect of the song is the use of traditional instruments such as the kora and the talking drum, which add a distinctive West African flavor to the music. The song was released in 1996 as part of Youssou N'Dour's album "Liggeey", which won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 1997.
Another interesting fact is that the song has been used as a motivational tool in various contexts. For example, it has been played at fitness classes and used as a theme song for sports teams. Additionally, the song has been covered by other musicians, including Senegalese rap group Daara J and South African singer Thandiswa Mazwai. The powerful message of the song has resonated with people around the world and across genres.
Musically, the song features a repetitive chord progression with a prominent bassline and simple percussion. The melody is based on traditional West African scales and emphasizes the call-and-response structure of many African songs. However, the song also incorporates elements of Western pop and soul music, reflecting Youssou N'Dour's eclectic musical style that blends African and global influences.
In summary, the song Liggeey by Youssou N'Dour is a powerful reminder of the importance of hard work and dignity in personal and societal success. Its blend of traditional African and Western pop influences has made it a beloved song around the world, and its message continues to inspire people to strive for their goals.
Chords (as provided by Ultimate Guitar):
Verse: Cm - Bb - Ab - G
Chorus: Cm - Bb - Ab - G (repeated twice)
Line by Line Meaning
It is almost impossible to catch up
Once you miss a day of work, it's hard to catch up
And no one knows what the next day will bring
There's uncertainty about what each day will bring
It's time to get to work
It's time to start working
I challenge you to work
I encourage you to work hard
There's no secret about this
The solution is clear
You reap what you sow
You get what you put in
Hard work is the only key to dignity
Working hard is the only way to gain respect and honor
Listen my friend, no matter how menial that work is
No matter how low-paying or low-status the job is
I cherish it more than anything else
I value working more than anything else
When you are a position of authority
When you're in charge of others
You should set good examples for others to follow
You should be a role model for others
Be at work before everybody else
Arrive at work earlier than everyone else
And try to be the last one to leave
Stay later than everyone else
Work is important
Working is valuable
So I challenge all of you to make work a priority
I encourage everyone to prioritize work
No matter how young you are
Even if you're still a child
Let me remind you that work is the only key to dignity
Working hard is the only way to gain respect and honor
Your presence is essential
Your being at work is important
At work by 9, out by 10 to run your own errands
Be at work by 9 AM, and you can leave by 10 AM to do your own tasks
No matter what, let's make work a priority
We must prioritize work regardless of the circumstances
It builds a nation, let's work
Working hard contributes to building a strong country
A day like this will come
Good days come
A day like the will go
Bad days will pass
A day like this will come
Good days come
A day like the will go
Bad days will pass
A day like this will come
Good days come
A day like the will go, so easy
Bad days will pass easily
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: YOUSSOU N'DOUR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ali Lebeko
on Birima
Always soulful and heartthrobing performance