Chaka Chaka started singing at 19 in 1985 when Phil Hollis of Dephon Records discovered her in Johannesburg. Shortly after, her debut album "I’m in Love With a DJ", sold 35,000 copies, and the title track became an instant hit.
Songs like "I'm Burning Up", "I Cry for Freedom", "Makoti", "Motherland" and the ever-popular, "Umqombothi" immediately ensured Chaka Chaka's status as a star on South Africa's mbaqanga music scene.
Chaka Chaka had it tough growing up. Her father died when she was 11 and her mother, a domestic worker, brought up three daughters on her meagre 40 Rand a month salary.
She has two diplomas from the University of South Africa, one in adult education, another in local government, management and administration. She also studied speech and drama at Trinity College, London, qualifying in 1997.
Releasing hit after hit, Chaka Chaka's subsequent award winning albums include "Burning Up", "Sangoma", "Who’s The Boss", "Motherland", " Be Proud to be African", "Thank You Mr DJ", "Back on my Feet", "Rhythm of Life", "Who's got the Power", "Bombani ( Tiko Rahini), "Power of Afrika", "Yvonne and Friends" and "Kwenzenjani".
Chaka Chaka owns a limousine company together with her husband, Dr Mandlalele Mhinga, has her own music label and her own production company. She teaches literacy part time at the University of South Africa, sits on several boards of charitable organisations and NGOs, and serves on the board of the Johannesburg Tourism Company.
Throughout her illustrious career Chaka Chaka has met people like Nelson Mandela (singing at his 85th birthday party), the Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Oprah Winfrey.
Chaka Chaka's continuing legacy as "Princess of Africa" is a testament to her connection to everyday people as well as royalty. Whether she is performing for Kings and Queens, Presidents and First Ladies or corporate concerts; she always returns to those she loves - her fans and family of listeners in South African cities, townships and rural areas.
"Mama Africa", the late Miriam Makeba described her as "She’s my baby!", Hugh Masekela adds that Yvonne is "my mad niece". Legends Dolly Rathebe and Dorothy Masuka describe Yvonne's music as "something that all should listen to".
I'm in Love With a DJ
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got nowhere to go
I've no one to talk to
Except the voice on the radio
I picture him in my mind
Is he handsome and kind?
If he looks the way he sounds
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
Yes I'm in love
Oh yes I am
This is your Rainbow Station KMOD FM95
Out of Richardstown Arkansas
With the men saying it gonna be coming all night
If you feeling alone babe
Just get on the phone and talk to me
Just get on the phone
He makes me feel so special and so close to me
You know he cheers me up
He makes me smile
He makes my life worthwhile
Should I send a dedication
And tell him how I feel?
He spreads a lot of happiness
He is a man of my dreams
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
Yes I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
Yes I am in love
Oh yes I am
(I wanna talk to the DJ
I wanna talk to the DJ
I wanna talk to the DJ
I wanna talk to the DJ
I wanna talk to the DJ
I wanna talk to the DJ)
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D-DJ
I'm in love, love, love (yes I'm in love)
With a D
Chaka Chaka’s “I’m In Love With A DJ” tells the story of a lonely woman in a city with nowhere to go and no one to talk to except for the DJ on the radio. She becomes infatuated with the man she hears on the airwaves, imagining what he looks like and dreaming of being with him. The lyrics are filled with upbeat energy, and the song is an homage to the connection people can make through music.
The song starts with a moody backdrop of rain falling in the city, signaling the lonely state of the singer. The radio seems to be her only solace, and she becomes captivated by the voice on the other side instructing listeners to tune in to their Rainbow Station KMOD FM95. The song reflects the deep emotional connection that people can make with music, even if they don't know the person behind the microphone.
The lyrics in “I’m In Love With A DJ” are uplifting and positive, even though the singer is yearning for a relationship that she may never have. Chaka Chaka is telling listeners that music can connect us all and help us through life’s difficult and lonely moments. The song highlights the power of music to bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds or station in life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's raining in the city
The weather is bad, and the singer has no one to talk to.
I've got nowhere to go
The singer feels lonely and has no plans for the night.
I've no one to talk to
The singer has no friends or family nearby to spend time with.
Except the voice on the radio
The radio DJ is the only company the singer has.
I picture him in my mind
The singer imagines what the DJ looks like based on his voice.
Is he handsome and kind?
The singer wonders if the DJ is good-looking and a nice person.
If he looks the way he sounds
The singer hopes that the DJ is as attractive as his voice is pleasant.
It'll turn my heart upside down
The singer's emotions will be overwhelming if the DJ is as great as she imagines him to be.
He makes me feel so special and so close to me
The DJ's voice is comforting and makes the singer feel cared for.
You know he cheers me up
The DJ has the power to make the singer feel happy and positive.
He makes me smile
The singer's interactions with the DJ bring joy to her day.
He makes my life worthwhile
The singer feels like the DJ brings meaning and purpose to her life.
Should I send a dedication
The singer considers expressing her feelings to the DJ through a public song dedication.
And tell him how I feel?
The singer wonders if it's appropriate to confess her love to the DJ.
He spreads a lot of happiness
The DJ has a positive impact on listeners with his music and personality.
He is a man of my dreams
The DJ embodies the qualities that the singer desires in a romantic partner.
If you feeling alone babe
Just get on the phone and talk to me
Just get on the phone
The DJ is a source of comfort and communication for listeners who feel lonely.
Writer(s): Attie Wyk, Hubert Xulu, Isabel Van Wyk
Contributed by Olivia W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@herbertmutubuki8187
Enjoying the melodies, legendary...2024 still going strong
@Gen-mediaTV
I am Ghanaian and 49yrs and remember dancing to these Yvonne Chaka Chaka songs at parties 86' and 87'. It brings back sweet memories when life was peaceful.
@kakandejohn5523
Iloveiloveivonne
@user-bs5qr5ie4s
Hi my Ghanaian bro sis
Yvonne chaka was big on international stage so her songs reach world wide
@Sydney_Chimgwede
Who is with me listening to this song in 2023.
@user-ff6kd8gs7j
Am here,l love her so much 🥰
@user-zz2lo9nf6m
I am
@Makothful
Here I am
@sladechinnamuthu6151
We here bro
@robertmatoka391
Me in 2024, still vibing 😊