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".
come a little bit closer
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Such a silly game we play, oh,
Like a summer's day in May.
What is love, what is love?
I just want it to be love
oooh
And I, I, I, I, I... I can feel it in your kiss
What is love, what is love?
I just want it to be love
oooh
When I feel you around,
I was mad as hell when I hit the ground.
When I see you laugh away
It hurts but I just won't say,
oh, oh, oh... Love ...
Who can tell me I am wrong?
I just think that I am strong.
What is love, what is love?
I just want it to be love.
ooooh
When I feel you around,
I was so upset we fell on the ground
When I see you mad at me
It was such a silly thing
ooooooh
And love .
Such a silly game we play,
Like a summer's day in May.
What is love, what is love?
I just want it to be love
ooooh. oh
And I, I, I, I, I... I can feel it in a kiss
It is something I will miss
What is love, what is love?
I just want you to be love.
The lyrics to Yvonne Chaka Chaka's song Come A Little Bit Closer explore the concept of love and the confusion and complexity that often accompanies it. She describes love as a "silly game we play" and questions what it really is. Through the use of metaphorical language, she compares love to a summer's day in May, an experience that is fleeting yet beautiful.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's desire for love, and the blissful feeling it brings when experienced in a kiss. However, the verses reveal that love can also bring pain and confusion, as the singer describes feeling upset and angry with their lover. Despite the challenges that love can bring, the singer affirms their strength and conviction that love is worth pursuing. Throughout the song, Yvonne Chaka Chaka's emotive vocal delivery conveys the deep-seated emotions that come with love, making the lyrics all the more relatable.
Line by Line Meaning
And love .
Love is a complex emotion that we humans experience.
Such a silly game we play, oh,
Sometimes we approach love as if it's just a game, not realizing the gravity of our actions.
Like a summer's day in May.
Love can be unpredictable, just like weather.
What is love, what is love?
Despite the ubiquity of love, many of us grapple with understanding it fully.
I just want it to be love
All that we seek is to experience genuine, real love.
oooh
A vocalization to express emotion and feeling.
And I, I, I, I, I... I can feel it in your kiss
A romantic gesture such as a kiss can trigger emotions and create intense, blissful moments.
It just gives me tender bliss
A kiss can be a source of pure and gentle happiness.
When I feel you around,
I was mad as hell when I hit the ground.
The presence of someone we love can wreak havoc on our emotions and destabilize us.
When I see you laugh away
It hurts but I just won't say,
oh, oh, oh... Love ...
Even when our loved ones hurt us, we mask the pain and keep silent, out of love and compassion for them.
Who can tell me I am wrong?
I just think that I am strong.
Love makes us feel invincible and we believe in our own strength when we're in it.
When I feel you around,
I was so upset we fell on the ground
The intensity of love can lead to dizzying and surreal moments when we're with our loved ones.
When I see you mad at me
It was such a silly thing
ooooooh
Even the tiniest disagreement with someone we love can feel like a monumental problem in the moment.
And I, I, I, I, I... I can feel it in a kiss
A kiss represents the ultimate connection and pleasure one can experience with a loved one.
It is something I will miss
The absence of our loved ones can leave a void that nothing else can fill.
I just want you to be love.
All we want is for our loved ones to truly love us, with all their heart and soul.
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Motlogelwa
on I'm Gonna Stop Loving You
Please get me the lyrics for . I'm gonna stop loving you