Thursday April 29, 2021 “Africa” Weezer

Written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro and originally recorded by their band Toto, “Africa”, like most of the songs by this band, makes absolutely no sense lyrically or has any real continuity but most of Toto’s songs just sound so good that we don’t pay attention to the lyrics.

 Weezer is an interesting band with a retro sound that could fit comfortably in the sixties and have recorded a number of covers in addition to “Africa.  Songs like “Take on Me” (Aha); Billie Jean (Michael Jackson); and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears).  Their covers are ever so faithful to the originals and are each worth a listen.

 None of the members of Weezer, especially lead singer Rivers Cuomo, were conventional rockers but were kids who holed up in their garage to play along with their favorite records when they weren't studying or watching TV. As a result, their music has a quirky sense of humor and an endearing awkwardness that made songs from their debut, Weezer (aka "The Blue Album"), into big modern rock hits during the mid-'90s.

 Stay safe and well...and I have never heard an accordion that sounded like the one Weezer lead singer Rivers Cuomo is playing in the video.

I hear the drums echoing tonight

But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation

She's coming in, 12:30 flight

The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation

I stopped an old man along the way

Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies

He turned to me as if to say

"Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you"

 

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

I bless the rains down in Africa

Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)

 

The wild dogs cry out in the night

As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company

I know that I must do what's right

As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti

I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become

 

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

I bless the rains down in Africa

Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)

 

Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you

 

It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you

There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do

I bless the rains down in Africa

I bless the rains down in Africa

(I bless the rain)

I bless the rains down in Africa

I bless the rains down in Africa

I bless the rains down in Africa

(Gonna take the time)

Gonna take some time to do the things we never had (ooh, ooh)