Gimme Hope Jo’anna (1988)
Gimme Hope Jo'anna is an song written, composed, and performed by Eddy Grant in 1988. The song was originally released as an anti-apartheid anthem during the apartheid era in South Africa. The song was classsified as forbidden song by the South African government when it was released, but was massively played in South Africa nonetheless. It reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Grant's first UK top 10 hit for five years.[1]
Key Lyrics
Well Jo'anna she runs a country
She runs in Durban and the Transvaal
She makes a few of her people happy oh
She don't care about the rest at all
She's got a system they call apartheid
It keeps a brother in subjection
But maybe pressure will make Jo'anna see
How everybody could live as one
Interpretation
The word "Jo'anna" that is used in the song title is a reference to Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa. The lyric "The Archbishop who's a peaceful man" in the 4th verse of the song is a reference to Desmond Tutu, the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town who received the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his advocation and spreading awareness against apartheid.[2]
Reception
Bill Coleman from Billboard in his review described the song as "sprightly pop with a meaningful antiapartheid message".[3]
References
- ↑ Andrew Perry. "How Eddy Grant gave hope to South Africa". 27 June 2008. The Telegraph. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ↑ Gimme Hope Jo’anna. Wikipedia. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ↑ Bill Coleman. "Single Reviews" (PDF). 31 March 1990. Billboard. p. 78. Retrieved February 2, 2021.