My Top 25 Zimbabwean songs of all time
One day, driving with my son, I sang along to songs on the radio.
He turned, gave me his trademark ‘look at this old mad’ side-eye, and asked: “Just how many songs do you know, dude. How many songs are in your head?”
Yes, he sometimes calls me dude.
I don’t know, I told him.
“Well,” he continued, “give me a number; 1000? 1 million? 1 billion? How many?”
Dude, I said, I don’t know.
And yet, here I am, sifting through these ‘1 billion’ songs to try and do the impossible; pick my Top 20 songs from Zimbabwe.
Like most urban youths growing up in the 90s, I didn't listen to a lot of local stuff. Now, much older, I've had to play catch up, and so most of my top tunes are from the early years.
How do I even start? Where? There are far too many good songs, songs from across too many genres, from too many generations. Each of these 20 songs that I picked carries a special memory for me, some sad, but mostly simply warm from my decidedly happy childhood (thanks Mom and Dad).
Except for Number 1, the rest of the songs are in no particular order.
Here goes.
Simukai – Pied Pipers
The Pied Pipers, a legendary Zimbabwe band from back in the day, gave me my favourite song. It’s not just my fave Zim song. It’s simply my fave song, overall. From that opening, rising keyboard note, Fungai Neganje’s lead guitar…and the lyrics.
When it plays, I travel back home, to my childhood, sitting outside on the lawn, in those ridiculously short adidas ‘Playtime’ shorts and North Stars, Simukai playing out of the Tempest radio speakers, eating a sherbet.
If I’m in a bad mood – which is not often – I slid on the headphones and this song, without fail, always makes me happy again. Play this at my funeral. Just make sure I don’t get up to swing to it.
Spirit – Andy Brown
This was not one of his biggest commercial successes, but, for me, this was Andy at the top of his game. The intro alone is a work of genius, the lyrics were Andy reaching into the depths of his talent, the backing vocals were on point. Two-minutes into the song, Andy delivers one of the best guitar solos of all time, by any guitarist, anywhere.
Wandirasa - Chiwoniso
She was 21 when she wrote this song. 21, guys, and yet such depth. Ancient Voices is, without a doubt, one of the best albums ever put out by a Zimbabwean musician. Years later, Wandirasa still makes you stop, listen, and fall in love with the song all over again.
Kutambura – Bhundu Boys
In terms of Zimbabwean bands, Bhundu Boys are my favourite ever. So it was hard to pick one. I had to play ‘pinky pinky ponky’ to pick this one. Kutambura, definitely, is one of the most beautifully written songs to ever to come out of Zimbabwe.
Kudendere – Harare Mambos
“Amainini mune matyira / kana iri purezha kumusha kune mabira / Kana iri mari tobike ndari / Toudza baba kuti kuno kune kakari…”
They. Don’t. Write. Like. This. Anymore.
They just don’t. The bassline. Virginia Silla’s vocals. That guitar.
Sarura Wako – Leonard Dembo
My number 1 song, from my number 1 artiste. The best Sungura intro ever, Shepherd Akim was imperious on bass, and Leonard’s vocals were that extra-smooth topping that made this song ever so perfect.
Ndakakubereka – Oliver Mtukudzi
My favourite from one of my favourites. Not one of his most famous tunes, but a personal favourite. It holds a special memory for me; It takes me to a hot day, sitting in the back seat of the car, driving down a long straight in the sugar plantations in Triangle, the song playing over the radio.
Ndibvumbamireiwo – Four Brothers
The lyrics cut deep, matched perfectly by the defiant tone Marshall picked for his vocals. Nothing was average here. Never Mutare’s bass, Frank Sibanda’s lead, and that constant rhythm from Alex Chipaika holding all down. There’s a 2-minute sequence in this song that simply defies gravity as these four guys just lay down their genius, for future generations to learn how to play. As a friend once said, “Marshall Munhumumwe achieved perfection” on this one (side note, at the end of the sequence, if you have good headphones, you can hear Marshall breath in to sing)
Thomas Mapfumo – Tinodanana
Never has a brass section been in finer form. Never. Everson Chibamu and Temba Ncube on brass, Charles Mayana on bass, Sebastian Ferado on drums, the legendary due of Jonah Sithole and Leonard ‘Pickett’ Chiyangwa on guitar. My fave Mukanya tune.
Zambezi to Limpopo – Midnite Magic
A song well ahead of its time, from a band well ahead of its time; Prince Tendai and Minite Magic created this absolute gem. Oh, the bassline.
Umoya Wami - Majaivana
Where does one start with this one? The deep lyrics, telling the story of displacement and pain? Or just the musical arrangement alone, which we speak far too little about. Sometimes I just slide on the headphones to soak in the instrumentation.
The River - Talking Drum
Michael Lannas had many great songs. But this one, oh man, how did they even do this? It’s a pure work of art. For some reason, it evokes memories of the aroma of toast, on sunny, chilled Saturday mornings at home.
Waiting for a New Day – Edwin Hama
Struggled to pick one from my two fave Ediwn Hama songs. The other is ‘Dreams of a Home’ (ku Gokwe tinoinda toseee). But this one has a special place in my heart for me. Had an uncle that loved Edwin Hama so much, and spent his temporary teacher’s pay on his records. He loved this one and we used to sing it. RIP Sekuru Adie!
Mwenza – Leonard Zhakata
Of course, the legend had many, many bigger hits than this one. But this right here is my jam. The language are so deep, I had to ask my friend Leonard Makombe to translate for me.
Pamuchato waTobias - Admire Kasenga
Once met Admire when he walked into our newsroom at The Standard to promote an album. One of the most down to earth chaps ever. Pure Sungura, the kind that’s missing right now. Danced all night to this, the night before my wedding. Woke up late. The thing almost went ahead without the groom and his biys.
Tobias Areketa – Vanondivenga
What more can you ask for from a song? Smooth vocals? Done. Brass? There you go. Bassline? You can’t play a bassline any better than that.
Kudakwashe – James Chimombe
One of my fave artistes. It’s a toss-up between this one, and another one called Rudo, which isn’t even one of his biggest hits. But this one really cuts deep. Remember watching it on Ezomgido and being totally absorbed by his genuine emotion.
Makatukura – Zig Zag Band
A band that holds special memories for me, being from my hometown and all. This one is my number one from them. A cutting social commentary on the 'haves' and the 'have nots'.
Shumaira – Dr Footswitch
A song played well before I was born, some time in the 70s, but one that I feel right in the chest. Loved it so much, named my daughter after it (kind of).
Tshisalanga – Ilanga
When they give out lessons on how to arrange a song, they should put this one in Tutorial 101. A band so full of talent, and they displayed it best here for me. Andy’s guitar, Don’s ‘mangled’ bass and his mournful vocals. This is what good music sounds like.
Ndinokudai – Family Singers
Takes me back to an interesting time in my youth. What a time. Using that bassline and percussion, these guys simply broke the walls; church music didn’t need to be boring. Zim Gospel music changed forever after this.
Zuva Rekufa Kwangu – John Chibadura
Once, an equally idle comrade of mine and I argued well into the night about which of John’s two big reggae hits was best. He went for ‘Mudiwa Janet’. I was having none of that. This one, for me, is absolute magic.
Nerudo/Zvikomborero – Cde Chinx
I will have to make a tie here. I’ve never been able to pick which ones between these two hit the hardest.
King Pinn – I salute you
Greatest Zim hip hop track ever. No contest. Tonderai Makoni was one special talent.
Carry The Message - Transit Crew
Growing up, we didn't have a lot of local reggae/dancehall. Transit Crew were our icons. When we visited mbuya in Mbare, all I wanted to do was run over to Stodart Hall, thinking I'd find Culture Tee there, chilling, toasting. Loved this song to bits.
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Hanna Barag 6.12.2020
By the way this is a loose translation by Google and myself.
My friend wrote on her post:
Yesterday, Saturday, I took part in a demonstration in Balfour every week. I parked my car on Sokolov Street as after many weeks of experience I knew would be easiest to get home.
On my way to the demonstration I came across a group of 5 guys with kippot and payot who decided that I was a lousy left-wing prostitute. The achievement is not small for an 85-year-old woman, 1.45 cm and 42 kilos !!! Since my first years at the checkpoint, I have not received such a "compliment" -!!! I continued on to the demonstration , as every week. There were police there in every hook and cranny and in the most unbelievable crowds of them all along all the streets around the demonstration. Four of whom on horseback accompanied me on my way to the square of democracy. Beautiful horses that will soon become wild animals – as befits a police horse.
I demonstrated along with many others . After about two hours I decided it was time to go home. I went down to Sokolov Street and there I met a huge border policeman who shouted at me, "Ma'am, you can not go here." I continued to walk a few more steps, not as a defiance but because I did not think there was a problem in a street that was completely empty. . "Mrs. Are you deaf?" I'm not deaf although at my age hearing is no longer what it used to be - it's true !. I stopped "Yes, what's the matter." "You can’t walk here”
" "What?" "You do not understand?" "Here is my car, I want to leave".
"Idiot ( loose translation of a word meaning clogged)You do not understand what I am saying.?"
"I understand very well, but I'm trying to explain to you that here's my car - it's the gray Hyundai standing here."
“ Supid woman !!! It is forbidden""
I said, “Sorry, why does not your name appear, I want your name and rank "(truth, maybe for the first time in a long time I was a little scared, after all I am barely David and he is the size of two Goliaths. And most importantly - he has the power).
Then a policeman in blue shouted “Let the lady go to her car.”
Then, albeit quietly the key to the whole story appeared, “Go, you stinking leftist. All of you are liars and you have no car.”
To my shame I stopped for a moment, thought for a moment and went home. And if I did not know before what sort of police we were dealing with, I received a simple explanation that ended without further violence.
Me: Just as well she controlled herself. Last week a woman in her sixties was dragged along the ground at a demonstration and practically stripped of her clothing.
And now for the mundane;
I find walking in the demonstrations a bit frustrating now. There are fewer people. People are now demonstrating on the bridges as the procession of cars come up to Jerusalem, in their own neighborhoods, the cold and let’s face it ….the gradual wearing away of demonstrating without seeing any difference. I would like to ask all those who are still cheering Bibi if they are still working or simply enjoying the benefits of the unemployment, how many have lost their businesses. I understand that in the months to come they will have to start paying back the benefits how they will then feel. Now I can not keep us and I do not want people to feel that they have to stay behind because of me. I have to fight with them to go on as I have not problem being alone. But on the other hand it is pointless to walk not in the procession. There is one lady who is very active and I am in contact with her. This Saturday there are to be four different routes but I will go to the nearest one.
In Nofim the restrictions are becoming more and more illogical. Let me stress that I keep to the rules even those which I think there is no logical reason for. They are last put up some extra meeting places but one has to arrange with the social worker to receive guests, only two at a time, for one hour and no food or even coffee and now they also have the receptionist filling in extra hours making sure that only those who have made arrangements with the social worker come in. Soon they will probably call in the secret service too. The most stupid of these restrictions is that if you sleep out one night you have to isolate yourself for two weeks. In other words I can during the day or night go on the buses and the light train which are packed with people who cannot keep social distance, I can go to the mall if I want to, I can meet with however many friends I want ….and I can eat with them or drink and that is fine. But if I go to a friend out of town even if I get a lift and sleep over and am only with her or maybe one or two other people I have to isolate. The stupid comment from the director is how do I know what you are doing when you are not in Jerusalem!!! The holy city. He now is trying to be very nice to me but besides saying good morning I do not speak to him. I despise him for giving in to complaints about me which he knows there is no legal basis for. I lost all respect for him anyway during the Corona panic when he skulked in his house even after his period of isolation ended and he left 4 of our staff to deal with all the problems. He and the head of the council who wags his tail also gave me no support when the head of the cleaners charged me an exorbitant amount.
My credit card was hijacked and I had to tear it up and wait for a new one. Everyone knows how efficient our postal service is. Without thinking I ordered Gett and only afterwards realised that the ride had not been paid for. I explained to them that I do not have a second credit card.....which I have now ordered in case of such an emergency, and that for me it is a problem either to go to the bank or pay through the net. I asked if a friend could pay for me and how to do this. They informed me today that they had cancelled my debt, that the driver had received his payment and that I could once more order for which I will pay cash until the card arrives Thank you Gett. If before I used you because it was convenient , I will now use you because you are considerate and understanding…..and that for once I have something good to report
This statue was removed by the police …I wonder why? No wonder the flag looks tattered
It was done in the dead of the morning…and on the news no one seems to know where it was taken…..Destroyed?
And to “sugar” it all….
Don't Say We Didn't Know 724
The demolition wave in the Occupied Territories persists in full force.
On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, Israeli soldiers came to the Palestinian village Fasail in the occupied Palestinian Jordan Valley, and demolished 2 dwellings of one family and two dwellings under construction of another family. In addition, they demolished structures serving as sheep pens, storerooms and outhouses. At Tel A-Samadi (near Jiftlik) they confiscated a dwelling shack, an outhouse and a water tank.
On the same day, Israeli soldiers demolished houses in Palestinian villages in the Massafer Yatta area (Firing Zone 918). In Rakiz village they demolished 2 dwellings. In Sarura they demolished an outhouse. At Khalat A-Dhaba they demolished 2 dwellings, an outhouse and a kitchen. At Mughayar Al Abid they demolished a dwelling and an outhouse. Near Jinba they demolished a large water tank and water pipes. They demolished 2 kilometers of water pipe distributing water to villages in the entire area of Massafer Yatta.
***
On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, Israeli government agents escorted by police came to the Negev Bedouin village of Tel Al Maleh, and demolished two houses.
The paperback edition of the book "Don’t Say we didn’t know" is live in the Amazon Store. It is available for readers to purchase here.
In kindle you can read it for free.
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