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Oliver Mtukudzi — Wake Up
Album: Tuku Music
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2039









Released: 1999
Length: 6:10
Plays (last 30 days): 6
(no lyrics available)
Comments (155)add comment
Have always enjoyed this song's tranquil embrace.  A very soothing and relaxing listen thanks in large part to the angelic backing vocals and calming, (slightly) hypnotic guitar work.  An RP gem imo.
That is some AMAZING guitar-playing!  To stay consistently just behind the beat like that... sublime
 TerryS wrote:

If you ever find yourself in an underpowered, tired, worn out Landrover trying unsuccessfully  to mount the last few bends of the Sani Pass in Lesotho, this was a good song to calm the nerves. Bugger the off-key chorus, when the smell of the clutch plates overcomes your fear-stink, anything which diminishes adrenaline is a welcome respite. Obviously, we made it, walking.
All good.
And now, back to our program. 


If we could accord ratings to comments as we do to music here, your story rates a 10. 
I could smell that burning clutch...
 Elchupacabre wrote:

Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)

Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi

Vukanini madoda isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Lalelani madoda isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Bambanani nonke isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Asibambaneni sonke isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)

Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)

Okumuny' igazi ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time

Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Abantu laba bazondile
Abalapha bayadana
Abanye bayasola
Injabulo abala

Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
tho




THANK YOU for the translation!    GREAT TUNE!!   
Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)

Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi

Vukanini madoda isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Lalelani madoda isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Bambanani nonke isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)
Asibambaneni sonke isikhathi sesiphelile
(open your eyes)

Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)
Wake up (open your eyes)

Okumuny' igazi ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Your fight is changing everything
Upside down inside out left side right
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time

Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't wast time
Akubani kanti ngumthakathi
Unite don't waste time

Abantu laba bazondile
Abalapha bayadana
Abanye bayasola
Injabulo abala

Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
Yukuyini isizathu yikuyini isizathu
tho

I keep hearing the backing singers saying "I'm-a want to be untalented".
 
Anyway, good song, really a shame it can only squeak out a 6.2.
I created a RP account solely to increase the ratings of African songs on this platform. Shocked how often a great tune from the continent (from Nairobi, to Marrakesh to Jo-burg) gets played, but when I switch to the RP window, I'm met with a bunch of small-minded comments and sub-par rating. Glad there are lots of defenders of African music in this chain as of late :)

And no - I'll add my voice saying Mtukudzi most certainly did not "appropriate" Phil Collins. And yes I hope to God that person was being sarcastic. 
a voice like butta, gone too soon
Boring
 daleweirdly wrote:
Nice, but to me kind of derivative of late 80s-early 90s Paul Simon.

I'd almost call them out for appropriating his sound a bit.

But whatever, its cool. 



I'm just going to say that I read your comment as facetiousness... sort of tongue-in-cheek
 reallylost wrote:


You do realize that Oliver Mtukudzi is African - right? And this is African music. 

And, if my memory serves me correctly, Oliver Mtukudzi started performing in the 70s so kind of before the late 80s-early 90s Paul Simon. 

Glad we've cleared that up.


Methinks maybe you missed the faceitous tone? At least hope it was facetiousness and not glaring ignorance of the original commenter... nah, sounds like facetiousness to me
 chasech5 wrote:

Polyrhythmic and expanded choral backing chords are a hallmark of much of this musical tradition. The specific touch of dissonance is a feature, not a bug. This is a great album and great music to wake to.




GREAT TUNE!! RP introduced me to him, now I like a lot of his music!  Thanx RP!  
‘Wanker…. Open your ey-eahs’
 TerryS wrote:

If you ever find yourself in an underpowered, tired, worn out Landrover trying unsuccessfully  to mount the last few bends of the Sani Pass in Lesotho, this was a good song to calm the nerves. Bugger the off-key chorus, when the smell of the clutch plates overcomes your fear-stink, anything which diminishes adrenaline is a welcome respite. Obviously, we made it, walking.
All good.
And now, back to our program. 



...and one day will conquire that pass, last attempt, the wife forgot the passports so no could do. But when we finall make it up that way again will certainly think of your comments Terry and this song! Hat tip to Mtukudzi, if the world appreciated the hardships Zimbabweans have (and are) experiencing they would even more respect the wonderful music this man produced!
Polyrhythmic and expanded choral backing chords are a hallmark of much of this musical tradition. The specific touch of dissonance is a feature, not a bug. This is a great album and great music to wake to.
 AhhtheMusic wrote:


Maybe Paul appropriated Oliver sound a bit ;)  right? Cause Paul is from NYC and Oliver is from Africa and it IS an African sound.  


For his brilliant "Graceland" album, Paul Simon worked together with a bunch of excellent African artists, resulting in a blend of American and African styles. I wouldn't call that appropriation (although I wouldn't say this song was inspired by Paul Simon either..)
 daleweirdly wrote:
Nice, but to me kind of derivative of late 80s-early 90s Paul Simon.

I'd almost call them out for appropriating his sound a bit.

But whatever, its cool. 



You do realize that Oliver Mtukudzi is African - right? And this is African music. 

And, if my memory serves me correctly, Oliver Mtukudzi started performing in the 70s so kind of before the late 80s-early 90s Paul Simon. 

Glad we've cleared that up.
OK, where comes the beat in this song. ? is it 1/2 or 1/6? 
After listening to much Baroque musc my white brain is confused.
I have yet to hear a tune by this gentleman that did not brighten my mood and lift my spirits. Thank you RP for one of my favorite musical finds...
 lewisv66 wrote:

Other way round, tbh. Paul Simon worked extensively with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the late 80s/early 90s and they are South African so there's a lot of that sound in Paul's music of the time. "Homeless" and "Under African Skies" in particular, both of which I've heard here on RP.

Cultural appropriation? Maybe. But it also brought African music to the attention of western white guys like me, and we decided we liked it, so it had at least some positive effect.



Paul Simon actually caught a lot of shit from some unenlightened fools for "appropriating" this sound from African traditions.  Some/all of "Graceland" was recorded in South Africa, with African musicians who also helped him write some of the music.  
I see kind of see what Peter Gabriel was going for.
Love how this guy arrives fashionably late to his own song. So money.
 ShamanManu wrote:
a few days back I almost overslept
and in that moment I almost fell back to sleep I clearly heard them women singing
♫ wake up! open your eyeeees! ♪
surreal :)
no need to say it made my day and I am seriously considering this song as my wake-up alarm  


Good idea - I've just done so: hopefully stop my partner (unfairly) complaining about Nina Simone's "Here Comes the Sun" :-)
 daleweirdly wrote:
Nice, but to me kind of derivative of late 80s-early 90s Paul Simon.

I'd almost call them out for appropriating his sound a bit.

But whatever, its cool. 


Other way round, tbh. Paul Simon worked extensively with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in the late 80s/early 90s and they are South African so there's a lot of that sound in Paul's music of the time. "Homeless" and "Under African Skies" in particular, both of which I've heard here on RP.

Cultural appropriation? Maybe. But it also brought African music to the attention of western white guys like me, and we decided we liked it, so it had at least some positive effect.
backing singer sounds like Christine McVie
 jkforde wrote:
 pinto wrote:
Musical soundtrack to someone trying to escape an overturned hornet's nest.
 
very nice B&R, no political commentary but instead a subtly relevant soundtrack, genius and very enjoyable as always. best of luck to you all in the US


 

Look after the king of R n R please 
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
there’s every reason to like this song, and I do, but it seems like I hear it every day and it’s getting old
 
Look after the king of R n R please 
Everyone sounds like some else. That’s the beauty of music...
there’s every reason to like this song, and I do, but it seems like I hear it every day and it’s getting old
 pinto wrote:
Musical soundtrack to someone trying to escape an overturned hornet's nest.
 
very nice B&R, no political commentary but instead a subtly relevant soundtrack, genius and very enjoyable as always. best of luck to you all in the US


Musical soundtrack to someone trying to escape an overturned hornet's nest.
Thanks RP for bringing back memories of an amazing continent. 
So good.
Every time I hear this song it makes me happy.  Just puts a smile on my face.
 daleweirdly wrote:
Nice, but to me kind of derivative of late 80s-early 90s Paul Simon.

I'd almost call them out for appropriating his sound a bit.

But whatever, its cool. 

 

Maybe Paul appropriated Oliver sound a bit ;)  right? Cause Paul is from NYC and Oliver is from Africa and it IS an African sound.  
Nice, but to me kind of derivative of late 80s-early 90s Paul Simon.

I'd almost call them out for appropriating his sound a bit.

But whatever, its cool. 

 TerryS wrote:
If you ever find yourself in an underpowered, tired, worn out Landrover trying unsuccessfully  to mount the last few bends of the Sani Pass in Lesotho, this was a good song to calm the nerves. Bugger the off-key chorus, when the smell of the clutch plates overcomes your fear-stink, anything which diminishes adrenaline is a welcome respite. Obviously, we made it, walking.
All good.
And now, back to our program. 
 
Laten we nou 'ns Nederlands gaan gebruiken als hoofdtaal i.p.v. dat eeuwige Engels?!?!?
 itsme_bygolly wrote:
 BCarn wrote:

No need to feel sorry for me. I'm quite okay not appreciating this song.
Not sure about your "Top 40 Radio" comment though. I'm an active contributor to RP for it's diverse music. This one just doesn't do it.
 You don't feel uplifted by this song? Why listen?

 
I listen to everything! Doesn't mean I like everything. I've discovered so many genres and songs here that I never knew I'd like. Most I do enjoy. Not all. I'm sure there's a tune or two out there that does not resonate with you. 
I know I'm not unusual here. (Well, some would  say otherwise! lol)
RP is an amazing channel for discovery. That's why I gladly donate.
 BCarn wrote:

No need to feel sorry for me. I'm quite okay not appreciating this song.
Not sure about your "Top 40 Radio" comment though. I'm an active contributor to RP for it's diverse music. This one just doesn't do it.
 You don't feel uplifted by this song? Why listen?

 ace-marc wrote:

Feel sorry for you.
Solid 7.5!
Try Top 40 Radio.
 
No need to feel sorry for me. I'm quite okay not appreciating this song.
Not sure about your "Top 40 Radio" comment though. I'm an active contributor to RP for it's diverse music. This one just doesn't do it.
Is this cross-rhytm or syncoptian?
 BCarn wrote:
Nope. Just can't get into this song.
 

Solid 7.5!
Try Top 40 Radio.
 unclehud wrote:
mirland wrote:
This just made me put a cd on...

 bruceandjenna wrote:
You have CDs?  You must be my age.
 
You have CDs? You must be younger than me.
 
Preceded by 8 track tapes then the glorious vinyl LP's, 45's and way back to 78's. Now you can't even buy your own digital music, you can only rent it.
What can possibly be next?
Would we all agree that LP's, with their wonderful jackets, were the high point of collectable recorded music?
 pinto wrote:

Dying the death of 1,000 plinks
 
I wish I could plinck like Tuku 

RIP, Oliver Mtukudzi

 TerryS wrote:
If you ever find yourself in an underpowered, tired, worn out Landrover trying unsuccessfully  to mount the last few bends of the Sani Pass in Lesotho, this was a good song to calm the nerves. Bugger the off-key chorus, when the smell of the clutch plates overcomes your fear-stink, anything which diminishes adrenaline is a welcome respite. Obviously, we made it, walking.
All good.
And now, back to our program. 
 
I've been close to that with my MSF friend, Mikhail, in Malawi. Seems in another lifetime now....
Enjoyed it for 2 min, bored for 1 min, irritated for 2 min, and getting visibly annoyed for the final 1:09.  Agree with previous posts - make it stop.
Nope. Just can't get into this song.
mirland wrote:
This just made me put a cd on...

 bruceandjenna wrote:
You have CDs?  You must be my age.
 
You have CDs? You must be younger than me.
I want to learn to appreciate this.
sweet
 Excelsior wrote:
Jesus, this is painful to listen to.  The background singers are JUST off-key enough to make me cringe every time they open their mouths.  Also, I think this song contains no less than 46 different time signatures.
 
Opening my ears and mind, I think of the so-called "annoying guitar" as percussion. Looking deeper, I found myself just concentrating on the other instruments and varied voices. This work really is very artful. The harmonies are not off-key; one voice is singing the lower note of the chord instead of the higher, a sound I like very much. Very cool to expand my horizons. Thanks, RP.
That is a very specific set of circumstances to find yourself in!
 
TerryS wrote:
If you ever find yourself in an underpowered, tired, worn out Landrover trying unsuccessfully  to mount the last few bends of the Sani Pass in Lesotho, this was a good song to calm the nerves. Bugger the off-key chorus, when the smell of the clutch plates overcomes your fear-stink, anything which diminishes adrenaline is a welcome respite. Obviously, we made it, walking.
All good.
And now, back to our program. 
 

a few days back I almost overslept
and in that moment I almost fell back to sleep I clearly heard them women singing
♫ wake up! open your eyeeees! ♪
surreal :)
no need to say it made my day and I am seriously considering this song as my wake-up alarm  
 drakut957 wrote:
too much african melodies today
 And your point being jerk?

And I still like it today.
Just to say - I like this one.
Monotonous, repetitive, annoying drivel. Thank God for the skip button!
too much african melodies today
 TerryS wrote:
If you ever find yourself in an underpowered, tired, worn out Landrover trying unsuccessfully  to mount the last few bends of the Sani Pass in Lesotho, this was a good song to calm the nerves. Bugger the off-key chorus, when the smell of the clutch plates overcomes your fear-stink, anything which diminishes adrenaline is a welcome respite. Obviously, we made it, walking.
All good.
And now, back to our program. 
 

The old dirt road over Sani Pass is being tarred which will allow any old daytrippers to make it over in their fancy cars. A great shame as it's one fewer South African mountain pass to offer a white-knuckle ride in a banged-up 4x4. But I can imagine this Tuks song offering great respite as you bounced and crawled over. Some music just lends itself to a little extreme adventure. RIP Tuks.
All too often I glance over to the Wikipedia pane on the RP website and think, "Oh my god, I had no idea he just died. " 
 Shesdifferent wrote:
I feel like I hear this every day on RP
 
And Bill's voice too.  What's up with that?
 AphidA wrote:
this makes me want to break out a dashiki ... and burn it.
 

 Excelsior wrote:
Jesus, this is painful to listen to.  The background singers are JUST off-key enough to make me cringe every time they open their mouths.  Also, I think this song contains no less than 46 different time signatures.
 
Tiiiiime is (not) on my side.
 mirland wrote:
This just made me put a cd on...
 
You have CDs?  You must be my age.
What are they singing?

"War come with me now"?

Oh never mind.  I'm a sucker for a strong back beat.
reminded me of The Police...I assume someone has said this already...
 enkay wrote:

Would you prefer more cowbell perhaps?

 
Yes. Actually.
OK. Some more than others. This the other not the some.
 pinto wrote:

Dying the death of 1,000 plinks
 
Would you prefer more cowbell perhaps?
 dragon1952 wrote:
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,

Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,

"OK...let's take it from the top!"

 
Dying the death of 1,000 plinks
That is fabulously lovely.
If you ever find yourself in an underpowered, tired, worn out Landrover trying unsuccessfully  to mount the last few bends of the Sani Pass in Lesotho, this was a good song to calm the nerves. Bugger the off-key chorus, when the smell of the clutch plates overcomes your fear-stink, anything which diminishes adrenaline is a welcome respite. Obviously, we made it, walking.
All good.
And now, back to our program. 
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,

Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,
Plink, plink, plink, plink,

"OK...let's take it from the top!"
{#Hand}{#Hand}A nice song but the CD is $55 on Amazon.ca!!!!
This is crap.  A 2 at best
 Ando wrote:
yeh, a little on the long side...
 
lol! yeah, by at least an hour! PSD saves the day again.
Really delighted to see RP pop this back onto the playlists again in the face of relatively low ratings. 
Twice I have been blessed by seeing these folks at Shakori Hills, in Silk Hope N C. Truly a bit of magic on a starlit night.
too long?! How sad to be such a product of commercial radio - cringing right on queue at three minutes twenty seconds. poor poor pitiful you (which incidentally clocked in at 3:10)
 mirland wrote:
This just made me put a cd on...
 
Me too. An Oliver Mtukudzi CD. 
This just made me put a cd on...
yeh, a little on the long side...

I think the thing that makes this song, and indeed much of the genre, cumulatively painful (i.e. great for the first minute then gradually less pleasurable) is the pizzicato guitar riff repeated ad nauseam.

If that doesn't bother you, I envy you. I wish I liked everything!
"Babble, babble, yadda-yadda, bo-bo, bubba, bubba, wooga, wooga" ................. translates as I don't have any idea at all what I'm really saying but I'm happy anyway so what does it really matter?

{#Whistle}
Jesus, this is painful to listen to.  The background singers are JUST off-key enough to make me cringe every time they open their mouths.  Also, I think this song contains no less than 46 different time signatures.
So many memories... Any chance of some Thomas Mapfumo? A fantastic, highly respected musician in Zimbabwe (and also internationally!)
Look..I'll confess to anything...just make it stop
pannaramma wrote:
stop whining and enjoy this man's warm, rich voice. If you have something better, upload it.
I THIRD this!! :D
this makes me want to break out a dashiki ... and burn it.
geordiezimmerman wrote:
England?
LOL! I deserved that.... No, Central African Republic. I assume that the cannabilism stories were true because the American consul confirmed them. (Where's that Emoticon that expresses naivety?) BTW, if in need of somebody to invade and throw out a nasty, despotic regime, I couldn't think of a bunch of nicer people to do it than French paratroopers. I also cannot think of a better source of advice--French political elites--for which countries to AVOID invading and occupying.....
a_genuine_find wrote:
Are we eating Zebra or Antelope?
Neither, Rack of Elephant is on the menu though.
Are we eating Zebra or Antelope?
2 -> 1
westslope wrote:
Just enough Congolese sound to remind me of drinking beer in a thatched beer hut and dancing on a hot equatorial African day while French paratroopers keep order outside. All those cannibalism stories just fade into the background.... Can you guess the country?
England?
Just enough Congolese sound to remind me of drinking beer in a thatched beer hut and dancing on a hot equatorial African day while French paratroopers keep order outside. All those cannibalism stories just fade into the background.... Can you guess the country?
phillips wrote:
happy song but isn't it OVER YET?
Another case.... (click here)
OMG shuttup already
pannaramma wrote:
stop whining and enjoy this man's warm, rich voice. If you have something better, upload it.
Well said.
nicccceeeee .....
stop whining and enjoy this man's warm, rich voice. If you have something better, upload it.
llazare wrote:
There's a world of amazing African music out there, but often it seems like "hey we play African music, here's *another* track by Oliver Mtukudzi". Can't we cut the Oliver Mtukudzi playlist in half and add in some of the 1000's of amazing African artists begging to be heard?
I second that brother, wholeheartedly. And if, at the end of the day, that's not possible, can we at least get Youssou N'Dour's cover of "Rubber Band Man"?
birdland wrote:
Feeling a need to find more? Branch out? Try this; https://www.nigeria-arts.net/Music/Juju/King_Sunny_Ade/ Absolutely the best of African Dance. Since 1966. JUJU music.
If you want the real deal Nigerian megastuff music, it's gotta be Fela Anikulapo Kuti! That man was political, musically awesome, and so so super cooooool.
I feel like I hear this every day on RP
Feeling a need to find more? Branch out? Try this; https://www.nigeria-arts.net/Music/Juju/King_Sunny_Ade/ Absolutely the best of African Dance. Since 1966. JUJU music.
happy song but isn't it OVER YET?
I like the other song you play by him, "Ndauvara" much better.
... ... What a beautiful happy clapping song to wake up to! ... ...
mattowan wrote:
That's exactly what I was thinking. Kinda fun and refreshing at first, then a bit annoying.
a bit? a whole lotta bit.
rosedraws wrote:
I suspect there wasn't much of a budget to work with.
no, the designer just wasnt any good.
I have absolutely nothing to dance about, and this song had me non-stop for its duration. Thank you, Mr. Mtukudzi.
meelifluous wrote:
You know, I really liked the music at the beginning, but it's kinda wearing on me.. . .
That's exactly what I was thinking. Kinda fun and refreshing at first, then a bit annoying.
You know, I really liked the music at the beginning, but it's kinda wearing on me.. . .
This would be fun to wake up to on my CD clockradio
Mmmm, it's ok.
Nice! I haven't heard this before.
It being 8:18am this song is making me want to punch my computer screen
tony620d wrote:
and the cover is a horrible photoshop chop
I suspect there wasn't much of a budget to work with.
daveesh wrote:
noooooo!
YYYYYYEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!
It was very amazing to hear Tuku's song, from Zimbabwe, with a rythm so similar to Argentinian chacareras. Whaw! Is it only me that noticed it? Thanks RP!
and the cover is a horrible photoshop chop