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.
Call Waiting
Zap Mama Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ndege Kwenda Wapy Mama
W'Happy Mama
Betu Bana Nangé
Betu Bana
ici start le chant son
facon tout en emotion
boulevard des boulevards
devant mon miroir
profil trois quart
j'divise mon regard
assise pénard
je m'sens fatiguée
je m'glass un punaise
p'tit baileys punaise
m'attention baisse
l'pouvoir du blaise
foutaise
blasé, blamé
et puis bla bla bla
je révise mon art
coup de poignard
dans mon regard
zap mamare
je prend ma port
pour le départ
Chorus
Besoin de gazole
nous les gazelles
au gout pickles
on en ensorcellent
pour celles
qui veulent du nickel
écoute ces détails
meme si tu coupes l'ail
qui dit travail, dit bataille
pas besion de médaille
pour que ton train train aille
tu t'tes le connecté
le rythme est lancé
plus besoin de penser
c'est á ton temps
tenté d'y aller?
il y a des bruits rythmiques
avec du tribal ethnique
tout va vite, tout va vite, tout va vite
Chorus
pour 2000
plus le bile
tape subtil et utile t'as ton mobile
paf! facile
fini la bisbille
ame á zone
nous les filles
misons
surface le pile pilotes donc
notes, notes
et complottes
pote.
détache donc tes menottes
mais nota bene bene
bénébé bénéfices
fils á fils
ce, sans fissure
chante, chante
she say, she say
Chorus
W'Happy Mama
W'Happy Mama
The song "Call Waiting" by Zap Mama features a mix of French and Swahili lyrics, which showcase a glimpse of the blending of African and European cultures in contemporary music. The chorus, "Ndege Kwenda Wapy Mama W'Happy Mama Betu Bana Nangé," translates to "Birds are flying to Wapy Mama, our happy mama, we young people." The joyful and uplifting chorus encourages listeners to join the party and dance, celebrating life in the modern world.
The verse begins with a description of the singer's emotional state while sitting alone in front of her mirror on a bustling street. She reflects on her fatigue and loneliness while sipping on her drink, and then she suddenly feels the power of the beat that invigorates and energizes her. She is inspired to get up and leave to join the party.
The second verse speaks to the modern lifestyles of young people, particularly women. It references the need to keep going and push through life's difficulties. It highlights the importance of female empowerment and encourages women to speak out and break free from societal restraints.
Line by Line Meaning
Ndege Kwenda Wapy Mama
Birds migrating away, Mama.
W'Happy Mama
Our happy mother.
Betu Bana Nangé
Our children are with us.
Betu Bana
Our children are here.
Here starts the song
The song begins now.
With a style full of emotion
The singing is emotional in its style.
Late at night
This is happening during the late hours.
On the boulevard of boulevards
On the main street.
In front of my mirror
Standing before my reflection.
In a three-quarter profile
I'm looking at myself from a specific angle.
I divide my gaze
Splitting my focus.
Sitting comfortably
Feeling at ease in this moment.
I feel tired
Feeling weary or exhausted.
I pour myself a drink
Pouring myself a cocktail.
A little Baileys
Adding a shot of Baileys Irish Cream to the drink.
My attention begins to wander
I start to lose focus.
The power of distraction
The ability to be easily sidetracked.
Nonsense
Things that don't make sense.
Jaded and blamed
Feeling cynical and judged.
And then blah, blah, blah
Going on about something unimportant.
I re-visit my craft
Focusing on my artistry.
A stab in my gaze
Feeling a sudden surge of emotion.
Zap Mamare
Call from my soul.
I grab my bag
Preparing to leave.
Chorus
Repeating the chorus.
A need for gas
Needing fuel.
We are the gazelles
We are fast and agile.
With a pickle taste
Having a tangy flavor.
We enchant them
We captivate them.
For those who want the nickel
For those who want the best.
Listen to these details
Pay attention to the specifics.
Even if you cut the garlic
Even if you avoid the hard work.
Whoever says work, says battle
Work is a struggle.
No need for a medal
No need for recognition.
For your routine to run
For things to just work out.
You got yourself connected
You are in tune with the rhythm.
The beat is set
The tempo of the music is established.
No need to think
Just follow the flow.
It's up to you
It's your turn.
Are you tempted to go?
Are you feeling enticed?
There are rhythmic sounds
The sounds are steady and rhythmic.
With an ethnic tribal beat
The beat has an ethnic tribal sound.
Fast-paced, fast-paced, fast-paced
Everything is moving quickly.
Chorus
Repeating the chorus.
For the year 2000
Referring to the future.
More bile
More fluidity.
Subtle and useful hit
A meaningful impact.
You have your mobile
You have your phone on you.
Easy-peasy, done quarreling
Quick and effortless, with no more disagreements.
Soul in the zone
In the right headspace.
We, the girls
Referring to a group of women.
Bet on
Making a bet on.
Surface the pile pilots then
Bring to light the surface details.
Notes, notes, and conspiracies
Jotting down ideas and schemes.
Friend, untie your hands
Breaking free of constraints.
But, nota bene bene
Note well.
Benefit from my son's work
Reaping rewards from hard work.
String by string, flawless
Piece by piece, perfectly.
Sing, sing
Keep singing your song.
She says, she says
Undoubtedly, that's what she said.
Chorus
Repeating the chorus.
Our happy mother
Our joyful matriarch.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: MARIE DAULNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Niokki T.
Love this song. Thank you!
Niokki T.
Please come to Louisville, Ky as soon as you can. WE NEED YOU.