Tokoloshe Man – John Kongos

Tokoloshe Man – John Kongos (Did the Happy Mondays have any idea what a Tokoloshe was?)

Tokoloshe Man Plus – John Kongos

After much success in South Africa with his G-Men, John Kongos decided to move to the UK and try his luck there. He eventually teamed up with Gus Dudgeon, who was busy producing Elton John’s material, and using a few of Elton John’s band members, recorded some tracks, including ‘Tokoloshe Man’.

Despite its subject matter being somewhat obscure for a non-South African audience, the song climbed to number 4 in the British Charts and was to be covered in the 90’s by the Happy Mondays.

The song features thundering tribal African beats and a fuzzy guitar with Kongos’ almost growled vocals. This was a far cry from the sweet vocals South Africans had been used to on his early beat songs such as Johnny and The Mermaid. Strangely, despite the line in the songs, ‘it makes no difference if you’re black or you’re white, Tokoloshe says tonight is the night is the night,’ the song charted in the Springbok Top 20 peaking at number 13. Not a bad achievement for a guy from Brakpan.

Where to find it:

Tokoloshe Man Plus – John Kongos (1988), See For Miles, SEECD221
Lyrics:

Make your bed up high
pray into the sky
close the window close the door
makes no difference if you’re rich or poor.

Get on your knees scream please
that man just love to tease.
Try to run
get a gun
he just laugh it makes it more fun.

Hard like rock ain’t got no soul
he can make the sun feel cold.
Put an eclipse on the moon
make a little cloud forty day monsoon.

Don’t recognize no hawk
don’t recognize no dove
Bad tokoloshe man
he don’t even recognize love

And it makes no difference
if you’re yellow or you’re red
when that bad man say
tonight is the night you are dead.
And it makes no difference
If you’re black or you’re white
Tokoloshe says tonight is the night is the night

Only thing I can say to you is
you gotta be good an’you gotta be true
think about Jesus Christ.
And it makes…

Video:

John Kongos:

Happy Mondays:

Aimless Lady – Suck

Aimless Lady – Suck (Hits the target)

Aimless Lady - Suck

Suck were arguably the noisiest band in South Africa in the 70s, although their career only lasted a brief 8 months and they produced but one album – Time to Suck. The album consisted of cover versions of rock classics from the likes of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath as well as one self-penned song.

Aimless Lady, a cover of the Grand Funk Railroad tune, was the a-side of their only single with their self-penned song ‘The Whip’ making up the b-side. Suck conjured up pounding drums, wailing vocals and such an intensity that made the Grand Funk original sound a little bland in comparison. This is heavy rock at its finest and Suck should really have taken their place on the stage with the likes of those they were covering.

Suck were an important band in South African music, despite their short life, because they paved the way for local bands to rock and to rock hard. They faced a lot of opposition from the conservative government of the day, even being banned from entering the town of Welkom (something all of us should strive for).

Aimless Lady is just an example of what they were capable of, but the rest of the album is worth listening to as well. I think I have to disagree with Garth Chilvers & Tom Jasiukowicz who said in their book ‘History Of Contemporary Music Of South Africa’ that ‘SA Rock returned to normality when Suck disbanded.’ I can’t believe that anything could be truly normal after having experienced Suck.

Where to find it:

Time To Suck – Suck (2001), Retro Fresh, Freshcd118

Lyrics:

Aimless lady, is this your home town?
Tell me baby, tell me where you’re bound.
When our eyes met, you were in the very first row.
I couldn’t even guess your name, but I just had to know.

You were meant for me, would you grab your coat and flee?
You were a mystery, but you just had to be …
An aimless lady.
Aimless lady.
Aimless lady.

Should I try, and satisfy, you lady?
Ain’t no lie, now we’ll get by, my baby.
If you can stand, a real good man, now lady,
Take my hand, and understand, me baby.

Take your time, you’re doing fine, now lady.
You got yours, and I got mine, now baby.
Can you see, the way to be, now lady.
Stay with me, and set me free, now baby.

Aimless lady.
Aimless lady.
Aimless lady.

You’re mine aimless lady.
Yeah, aimless lady.
You’re mine aimless lady.
Mine, aimless lady.
Oooo …

(Written by Mark Farner)

Video:

Suck:
Grand Funk Railroad:

You’re So Good To Me – Hotline

You’re So Good To Me – Hotline (No it wasn’t by Bonnie Tyler)

Hotline - Burnout

One thing that set Hotline apart for most rock bands of the early eighties was the incredible voice of PJ Powers and this was evident from their debut album ‘Burnout’ from which ‘You’re So Good To Me’ comes from. The soaring chorus of this power ballad propelled the song to number 8 in the Springbok Radio top 20 during the first few months of 1982 and thus began a long career for the band and in particular PJ Powers.

After their initial success as a pure rock band, Hotline began to incorporate the African rhythms and sounds and were so successful with this that it is easy to forget their rock roots. Of their early work, this track is perhaps only surpassed by the sublime cover of the Beatles’ ‘Help’, but as an original composition it was one of the stand out South African songs of the 80s.

Where to find it:

The Best Of P.J. Powers & Hotline – P.J Powers & Hotline (1991) Mike Fuller Music Records, PJCD300

Lyrics:

Don’t Be Angry when you hear what I got to say
You asked the truth, so here it really is
You asked me if there would be a tiny possibility
To be alone one night just you and me

I’m not supposed to be in love with you
I’m not supposed to be in love with you
But I am

Oh baby baby
You’re so good to me
And everything you do is real
You’re so good to me
I just want you to know
How I feel

Don’t start a romance when you know the end will just be sad
Leaving now, the hurt won’t be so bad
Please turn around from here
Walk away and don’t look back
There’s nothing left to offer you and me

I’m not supposed to be in love with you (oh no no no no no)
I’m not supposed to be in love with you
But I am

Oh baby baby
You’re so good to me
And everything you do is real
You’re so good to me
And every thing that you do
Makes me feel so good

I’m not supposed to be in love with you (oh no no no no no)
I’m not supposed to be in love with you
But I am

Oh baby baby
You’re so good to me
And everything you do is real
You’re so good to me
I just want you to know
How I feel

(Written by PJ Powers)

Elvis Astaire (King Of Swing) – The Soft Shoes

Elvis Astaire (King Of Swing) – The Soft Shoes (And two celebrities rolled in their graves)

Soft Shoes - Elvis Astaire

Long before X Factor was invented, there were talent shows on TV, but back then we never got to see those weird and wonderful people whose idea of wonderful singing has alley cats throwing shoes at them. Back then, we only got to see those who could actually carry a tune.  In 1983 the SABC ran a talent competition show called ‘Follow That Star’
and the runaway winners were the Soft Shoes who charmed the nation with their rendition of ‘Elvis Astaire’.

There were some that cried foul as the competition was meant for amateurs and the foursome that made up the Soft Shoes (Jervis Pennington, Roy Bramwell, Tommy Maree & Darren Magnussen) were all experienced entertainers. But all that aside, ‘Elvis Astaire’ seems to have stood the test of time and is remembered with some fondness by those who were young at the time and may have developed crushes on them (no names mentioned Carolyn).

The ditty that starts off as a plaintive piano led song quickly changes into a toe tapping bop as the lads try to convince us they can shake like Elvis Presley and dance like Fred Astaire. I can’t remember how well they danced, so that claim may have been flawed, but the song is what has lasted and it was a pretty catchy tune. It may not be the best song every made, but it certainly made its way into South African musical history to the extent that love it or hate it, it should be included in this list.

Where to find it:

Various Artists – The Best of SA Pop Volume 2 (1994) GMP, CDGMPD 40486 (CD)

Lyrics:

Sometimes I dream I’m riding on a star
Sometimes I dream That I’m going far
Sometimes I’m Elvis A-shakin’ my knees
Sometimes I’m Fred Astaire Dancing to please
And I swear if I ever give up my dreams
I’ll surely die
I will surely die

One, two, three four

He can bop and he can talk and he can shake his knees
He’s the king of shake and rattle, roll
And he can bop and he can jive, but snakes alive
He’s the king of flip and flop live
And he can tip tap tap tap shoft shoe shuffle
And he can tip tap tap tap sandman jive
He’s the king (of what?) the king of swing
He’s Elvis Astaire

Tap your toes and shake your knees
Clap your bones and  buzz your bees
Tap your toes and shake

And he can dress his body oh so neat and oh so sweet
He’s a hit parade madonna man
And he can cuff your hands and tie your hands and break your heart
Doesn’t leave you like he oughta, no
And he can never stop stop stay to long
He can never love you right or wrong
Cause he’s the king (of what?) the king of swing
He’s Elvis Astaire

Tap your toes and shake your knees
Clap your bones and  buzz your bees
Tap your toes and shake

Come on, all right, yeah yeah, sharp shooter
wop bop a lula a wop bam boo, yeah

I can bop and I can talk and I can shake my knees
I’m the king of shake and rattle, roll
And I can bop and I can jive, but snakes alive
I’m the king of flip and flop live
And I can tip tap tap tap shoft shoe shuffle
I can tip tap tap tap sandman jive
Cause I’m the king (of what?) the king of swing
I’m Elvis Astaire

Tap your toes and shake your knees
Clap your bones and  buzz your bees
Tap your toes and shake

Boogie, woogie, flip flop, yeah yeah yeah

I’m the king of shake & rattle
Elvis Astaire

(Written by Jarvis Pennington)

Two Seconds – Henry Ate

Two Seconds – Henry Ate (A very short song)

Henry Ate, that was why he was so big. But enough about a long dead monarch. The band Henry Ate was fronted by Karma-Ann Swanepoel who was anything but big in terms of physical size, but in terms of success, she and her band were one of the biggest acts of the early naughties in South Africa.

Taken from their second album, ‘Torn And Tattered’, ‘Two Seconds’ is a beautiful song that centres around Karma’s delicately powerful vocals which are supported by a neatly strummed guitar and solid drum beat. At times, the song threatens to build into a power ballad, but never quite crosses that line.

Like the English king whose name the band punned to get their own, Henry Ate has passed into the history books and while they may not be remember some 450 years after their demise, they will certainly remain in the memory of those who enjoyed their songs, and ‘Two Seconds’ will be one of those songs that will be in that memory.

Where to find it:

Torn and Tattered – Henry Ate (2000), EMI, CDEMCJ(WI)5893

Lyrics:

Two seconds more
Need to think of some better things to say
I don’t feel myself much lately
Since the better aspects went away

Give me my two seconds more
Time enough to send a kiss your way
Don’t you go wandering
‘Cause I could show up soon any day

I hope you like the rain I sent you yesterday
Someone said they saw you dancing in it
Laughing your tears away

Give me my two seconds more
Think it over before you say it’s through
Don’t you dare forget me
‘Cause I couldn’t bear being lost to you

I hope you like the rain I sent you yesterday
Someone said they saw you dancing in it
Laughing your tears away

Two seconds more
Ever silence spent alone will do
I close my eyes and wish myself
Closer and closer I move into you
I’m coming closer and closer move into you
I’m coming closer and closer move into you

I hope you like the rain I sent you yesterday
Someone said they saw you dancing in it
Laughing your tears away

So I hope you like the rain I sent you yesterday

(Words and Music: Karma-Ann Swanepoel)

Against All Odds – aKING

Against All Odds – aKING (Don’t bet against this one)

Against All Odds by aKING

No, this is not a cover of the Phil Collins song from the movie of the same name, rather it is a melodic, solid rock song with neat guitar work, tight drumming and a heartfelt vocal delivery. When Fokofpolisiekar did as it was told, Hunter Kennedy and Jaco Venter were aching (did you see what I did there?) to make music under a different guise, so they formed aKING and have made a success of it.

It might just be me, but is there a resemblance between the opening guitar riff of Against All Odds and Baxtop’s JoBangles. If you took the funk out of the guitar intro to JoBangles and made it rock, you’ll see what I mean. Not that I’m saying Baxtop should be calling their lawyers, we don’t need another ‘Kookaburra’ vs ‘Down Under’ here.

Part of the video for the song (see below) was shot in one of my favourite record shops, Mabu Vinyl in Cape Town, but be warned, it does open up with a guy dancing around in his underpants. Perhaps that’s one of the ‘odds’ you’re up against, for it is very odd. But as distracting (and disconcerting) as it is, don’t let it deter you from the strength of the song.

Where to find it:

Against All Odds – aKING (2009), Rhythm Records, RR100

Lyrics:

curious and cautious
in a stagger on my heart’s track
how vast the world was
by the lights of lime we gather
inflamed like moths to a fire

nauseous like lovers
tripping on the heart’s trap
the gullible uncovered
a faint radiance
two dullards finding their colour

against all odds
caught between a curve and a soft spot
against all odds
unraveled in each other’s arms

awkward
in a state of undress
how shy it was to touch
uneven out the evening
discreetly mocking the morning

struck by the moon I threw myself over
the night has a rainbow mutely hovering

weightless under covers
slip into the heart’s lap
zealously juvenile
an old-fashioned raucous promise
nestles beneath the bravado

Video: