TOP TEN ALL-TIME GREAT SA SONGS EVER
from Dawn of Time till today
- 'Ngazula Emangomeni', by Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds (1942). The
other great song from the man who gave us Mbube, this a-capella piledriver
achieves an intensity level that puts many bands from the amps and
electrification era to shame.
- 'Skokiaan', by the Bulawayo Cold Storage Commission Dance Band (1954)
Frenzied, frantic jive classic.
- 'Ishumelosheleni', by Manhattan Bros. (1959) Astonishing what those
Sophiatown cats could do with just two chords. In fact, astonishing what
they did with almost everything. Rob Allingham's compilation of their
greatest hits 1948-59 (Gallotone) was a blinding revelation.
- 'Cry to Me', by the Staccatos (circa 1969). In which Steve Lonsdale proves
for all time that a white man can take a Solomon Burke song and break its
back, thereby settling all debates about race and soul. {'Cry To Me' was
written by Bert Russell aka Bert Berns - real name: Bertrand Russell
Bernstein - ed.}
- 'Mannenberg', by Dollar Brand (circa 1972). His ascetic eminence Abdullah
Ibrahim seems scornful of this creation, as if it was just a throwaway for
dancing in shebeens. But that's exactly what we imagined we were doing, in
the darkest days of apartheid, in the white suburbs, at dance parties in
our fathers' garages.
- 'Impi', by Johnny Clegg and was it Juluka (circa 1982). What can I say?
Still get cold shivers down my spine every time I hear it.
- 'Whistle', by Via Afrika (circa 1983). It's a brainless dance tune, but
f*ck, did it kick. Those girls always seemed the most glamourous creatures
ever to emerge from Jo'burg, "New York of Africa" and "second greatest city
after Paris."
- 'Kambora Mina', by Paul Ndlovu (1985). I always thought Shangaan had the
potential to be as internationally big as reggae. If Ndlovu had survived
and continued in this glorious vein, it might have happened.
- 'Reggae Vibes is Cool' by Bernoldus Niemand (1985). A forlorn and touching
little satire of white East Rand youth culture from a talent of Tom Waits'
stature.
- "Kaff*r", by Arthur (1994) The song that made Afrikaans cool again, and
nice dance groove to boot. Also a highpoint of the genre, which was soon to
degenerate into McKwaito (myns insiens anyway).
Plus four that didn't make it but would on a different day.
- 'Liefling', by Ge Korsten. Sure, pure schmalz, but the patriot says it was
at least as good as anything by the Three Tenors and nearly ten years ahead
of them.
- 'Zambezi', by Nico Carstens. The suits! The rings! Sex, drugs, brandy &
coke! This guy was the Frank Sinatra of Kroonstad and Klerksdorp.
- 'Boesak Awethu', from Shifty Records' "FOSATU Worker Choruses." What a
tuneful revolution we almost had.
- 'Afrikaners is Plesierig', by Karen Zoid. The song that finished the job
Arthur started (see above).
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