As well as her Congolese roots, Daulne's cross-genre style may result from her varied past: Her father, a Belgian, was killed during the revolution while her mother was pregnant with her. The remainder of the family fled to the forests and found refuge with a tribe of pygmies. Daulne was raised primarily in Europe, but when she heard a recording of traditional pygmy music at age 20, she decided to return to Africa to learn about her heritage. She was trained in pygmy onomatopoeic vocal techniques before returning to Europe to found Zap Mama.
Bandy Bandy
Zap Mama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wave ya body
Like bandy bandy yeah
Ooh
Like bandy bandy
Wave ya body
Like bandy bandy yeah
When it's so right now feel so wrong
Listen to what I say
See if you don't agree
There's something I learned long ago
Down where the blue waters flow
Something people do to set their spirits free
In the morning time
In the afternoon
In the cool evening breeze
Like bandy bandy
Wave ya body
Like bandy bandy yeah
Ooh
Like bandy bandy
Wave ya body
Like bandy bandy yeah
Ooh
Any time of the day
Wave
Any place
Wave
If you feelin' down
Wave-tsk-move ya body like a bendy snake
If youfeel the day
Wave
Anyplace that u happen to be
Wave
If you feelin' low
Wave
Just do what you need
In the morning time
In the afternoon
In the cool evening breeze
Like bandy bandy
Wave ya body
Like bandy bandy yeah
Ooh
Like bandy bandy
Wave ya body
Like bandy bandy yeah
Ooh
Take the time feel the beat
Feel the light feel the day
In the night make you cry
Take a break
Fill yourself full of light
Shine shine
til you feel your soul away
The lyrics of Zap Mama feat. Erykah Badu's song Bandy Bandy encourage listeners to let loose and allow their bodies to move freely as a means of finding inner peace and escaping the daily stresses of life. The repetition of "like bandy bandy, wave ya body" creates a hypnotic and rhythmic flow that suggests a form of meditation.
The lyrics also refer to finding joy in simple moments, such as listening to the breeze or enjoying the sunlight. These small joys are celebrated throughout the song, encouraging listeners to take the time to appreciate and find peace in the present moment. The song ultimately promotes self-care and reminds us to take breaks to recharge and find our inner light.
Overall, "Bandy Bandy" is a catchy and upbeat song that encourages listeners to find joy and peace in simple moments through music and dance.
Line by Line Meaning
Like bandy bandy
Move your body in a sinuous way, like a snake.
Wave ya body
Move and shake your body, letting yourself go with the music.
Like bandy bandy yeah
Enjoy the pleasure of dancing and being carried away by the rhythm.
Ooh
An expression of excitement, pleasure or enjoyment.
When the day gets too long
When you feel tired or overwhelmed by the events of the day.
When it's so right now feel so wrong
When something that seemed to be perfect suddenly feels wrong or unpleasant.
Listen to what I say
Pay attention to my words, because they contain a message that can help you feel better.
See if you don't agree
Consider my proposition and see if it makes sense to you.
There's something I learned long ago
There's a lesson I acquired through experience many years ago.
Down where the blue waters flow
In a place where life is simple and the natural world is still intact.
Something people do to set their spirits free
A technique or habit that people use to feel liberated, unburdened and joyful.
In the morning time
At the start of the day.
In the afternoon
During the middle of the day.
In the cool evening breeze
At the end of the day, when the air is fresh and light.
Any time of the day
At any moment, whenever you need it.
Any place
In any location, wherever you are.
If you feelin' down
If you are feeling sad or depressed.
Wave-tsk-move ya body like a bendy snake
Shake your body in a fluid, undulating way, like a snake slithering through the grass.
If you feel the day
If you sense the energy and vibe of the day.
Anyplace that u happen to be
Wherever you find yourself, without restriction or limitation.
If you feelin' low
If you are feeling blue, down or uninspired.
Just do what you need
Take care of yourself by doing whatever helps you feel good, happy and free.
Take the time feel the beat
Immerse yourself in the rhythm and tempo of the music.
Feel the light feel the day
Experience the brightness and optimism that comes with each new day.
In the night make you cry
At night, when you feel alone or sad, the music can make you cry.
Take a break
Take a pause from the worrisome aspects of life and focus on the beauty of the present moment.
Fill yourself full of light
Absorb the positive energy and illumination of the music and the dancing.
Shine shine
Radiate your inner light and energy outward, illuminating the world with your spirit.
til you feel your soul away
Until you achieve a state of ecstasy or transcendence, where your soul is liberated and uplifted from its mundane existence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CTM Publishing
Written by: MARIE DAULNE, CHRISTOPHER MC HALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@northernsoutherngirl
This song never gets old!!💕💕💕
@loriethacausey8956
I know right. Its May 2019 and I'm listening to it now.
@dfmdirt_rally8262
Still going strong in 2020. :)
@charchar5887
Checking in to agree in Oct 2022❤️
@patrice6984
Yep! June 2023.
@kayisetuswa7545
Never ever ❤❤
@sikahh280
Free as a Bird, Soul flowin' like a willow tree, and my whole body is movin' like a bandy!! Divine !!! Thank you Badu and Zap Mama
@hesmlurh2467
This song makes me sway my hips and the rest of my body like nobody is watching. The whole seven minute audio had me on some spiritual yet physical level cause it's high vibrational energy
@PHlophe
La Khuzwayo, it makes wanna dance like a robot on my way to the kitchen. Then twisted my neck as if i was staring at the moon and stayed stuck Our cat just looked at me as if i was demented. lol!
@erikm8372
I cannot tell you. This song fills my eyes with tears. It's just... wow, another little, perfect gift, given to us by not only Erykah but ZAP MAMA; who, in and of herself, is a whole other universe of musical expression and black female empowerment. To the extent that even some of us mixed/white boys are influenced too :-)