Ami-O - what is the song about?

[Charlie]

email from Paul Wambi, in Entebbe, Uganda (East Africa)

Hi Charlie Gillett

I must say I do enjoy your music programme with great selections from all over the world although I must admit I miss some of your programmes due to the shift work nature of my job.

I also appreciate your in-depth and articulate research of all the artists whose songs you feature.

My request to you is unique but somehow I've come to the conclusion that's its only you who can unravel my greatest musical mystery.

There's a song that came out in 1982 or 1983 that was called AMIO(AMIYO?) and was popular throughout Africa, (apparently a one hit wonder) done by a lady artsist and is still popular on most radio stations world wide including the BBC World Service. Many other versions have been done since.

My question is who sang the original version? What is the origin of the artist? And what was she singing about? Is it possible to get hold of the lyrics of this song?

This query was also asked by one of the lady presenters of Network Africa early this year when she played it as a musical break on her proramme. She was in turn asking any of her vast listening Afraican audience if they had a clue to the identity of the artist.

So either I missed out on the answer or she was equally unsuccessful.

It appears the song was promoted via pirated audio casette when it was originally released in the early 1980's for the African market and believe me there is not a single local radio station who play it that has a clue.

Charlie, I would be most grateful if you really filled me in on this one especially via my e-mail address as I'm a shift worker and may miss out on any reply you may have for me over the radio.

Regards
PAUL,
ENTEBBE,
UGANDA,
EAST AFRICA.

[Charlie]

Ami-O by Bebe Manga

The song was indeed a favourite everywhere back then, even in Brooklyn, New York, where I heard it in an African dance club in 1984. I turned to the woman next to me and commented how great it was, and she said, 'yes, I sang it'. It turned out that I was standing next to Bebe Manga herself! I was a bit doubtful that this could be true, but the African record label owner I was with confirmed the coincidence. I believe Bebe has lived in America ever since.

The track has been impossible to find on CD until now, when it is one of the many delights on the double album, Golden Afrique Vol 1.

But what is the song about? Can anybody help Paul with his mission?

[c hristian]

OH MY GOD, I HAVE HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD HERSELF AND HER NAME IS BEBE MANGA!!!

I thought, surely, someone has written about this song before. Yes, I bought Golden Afrique Vol. 1 today, b/c I am so cutting edge! (Can't wait till Vol 2 and 3 come out!)


Jesus this song is beautiful!

I'm going to give you the link to hear for yourselves, but this link really doesn't do it justice. You gotta hear all 7 minutes on a quality sound system! Her voice just gets stronger and more im[passioned. All the musical parts, the bassline! They all meld so well together! WOW!

http://www.imeem.com/celesteakd/music/h ... anga_amie/

So, this series called Golden Afrique...I'm SURE you've never heard of it before! I MUST be the only one who has this! B/c I am SO CUTTING EDGE!

[c hristian]

charlie, you are not so cutting edge. I was standing next to Bebe Manga back in 1975, when I was 3.


it's about friends!

[Ronald]

The song Ami is a song written by Ebanda Manfred about a passionate love afair he had with a girl called Amie Essomba Brigitte in 1962 and who was at that time a young student in Yaounde.
Here the link to the story about the song:
Ebanda Manfred

and the front and back cover of the Bebe Manga lp, hope this helps.

[Spartacus]

I'm going to give you the link to hear for yourselves, but this link really doesn't do it justice. You gotta hear all 7 minutes on a quality sound system! Her voice just gets stronger and more im[passioned. All the musical parts, the bassline! They all meld so well together! WOW!

http://www.imeem.com/celesteakd/music/h ... anga_amie/
!

er, does this site play/stream the song automatically or what?