Lyr Req: Open and Close (Fela Kuti)

Subject: Lyr Req: Fela Kuti's Open & Close
From: Roberto
Date: 14 May 06 - 11:03 AM

I'd like to get the text of OPEN & CLOSE, sung by Fela Kuti. The first line should be: I want to tell you a story / No-be story-O.

Thanks. R

Subject: Lyr Add: LADY (Fela Kuti)
From: Azizi
Date: 14 May 06 - 11:59 PM

Roberto, unfortunately I don't have those lyrics you are seeking.

You may be aware of this website: Fela Kuti's Lyrics
That site has the lyrics [and explanations for several of] these Fela Kuti's Afrobeat songs:

1. BEASTS OF NO NATION
2. COFFIN FOR HEAD OF STATE
3. COLOMENTALITY
4. FEAR NOT FOR MAN
5. J'EHIN J'EHIN
6. INTERNATIONAL THIEF THIEF
7. KALAKUTA SHOW
8. LADY
9. MR. FOLLOW FOLLOW
10. MR. GRAMMARTICALOGYLISATIONALISM IS THE BOSS
11. ORIGINAL SUFFERHEAD
12. NO AGREEMENT
13. POWER SHOW
14. QUESTION JAM ANSWER
15. SORROW, TEARS, AND BLOOD
16. TEACHER DON'T TEACH ME NONSENSE
17. TROUBLE SLEEP, YANGA WAKE AM
18. WATER NO GET ENEMY
19. ZOMBIE



Here's an example of one of Fela's songs that I really like:

LADY

If you call woman
African woman no go 'gree
She go say I be Lady o

If you call woman
African woman no go 'gree
She go say I be Lady o

She go say:
*(CHORUS) SHE GO SAY I BE LADY O – [AFTER EACH LINE]
She go say I no be woman
She go say market woman na woman
She go say I be Lady

I want tell you about Lady: (3x)
She go say him equal to man
She go say him get power like man
She go say anything man do
Him self fit do
I never tell you finish… (3x)
I never tell you…
She go want take cigar before anybody
She go want make you open door for am
She go want make man wash plate for her for kitchen
She want salute man she go sit down for chair (2x)
She want sit down for table before anybody (2x)
She want piece of meat before anybody (2x)
Call am for dance, she go dance Lady dance (2x)

African woman go dance she go dance the fire dance (2x)
She know him manna Masster
She go cook for am
She go do anything he say
But Lady no be so (4x)
Lady na Masster (3x)
Call am for dance, she go dance Lady dance (2x)
African woman go dance she go dance the fire dance (2x)
She know him manna Masster
She go cook for am
She go do anything he say

But Lady no be so (4x)
Lady na Masster (4x)
If you call am woman
African woman no go 'gree
She go say I be Lady

She go say:
*(CHORUS- AFTER EACH LINE) SHE GO SAY I BE LADY O O
She go say I be Lady
She go say I no be woman
She go say market woman na woman
She go say I be Lady
*(repeat indefinitely)

-snip-

I hope someone here can help you find the lyrics you are seeking. If not, please remember to post those lyrics here whenever you find them.

Best wishes,

Azizi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fela Kuti's Open & Close
From: Roberto
Date: 15 May 06 - 09:54 AM

Thank you, Azizi. Yes, I know the site you mention. I think that collection of Fela Kuti's lyrics is mainly from his most political songs, while Open & Close seems a dance song, from his early recordings with Afrika 70. But it is one of the best songs he recorded, in my opinion. I hope someone who knows it and can understand the language will post the lyrics. R

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fela Kuti's Open & Close
From: Azizi
Date: 15 May 06 - 08:02 PM

Hello Roberto,

I goggled the key words "African Music Forums" this morning, and found this forum:

http://www.panafricanallstars.com/forum/default.asp

Do you know that forum? I'm not sure how much activity it gets on any given day or month.

At any rate, I joined, and posted a message asking for folks from there to visit or join this site and to help with your query.

I'm hoping for the best.

Azizi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Fela Kuti's Open & Close
From: Roberto
Date: 16 May 06 - 12:11 PM

I didn't know that site. Thank you. If they are good in African Music as the Mudcat is in the English speaking countries' traditional music, they'll sort out the text of Open & Close. R