A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ‘CELEBRATE’ BY Joe EL-x-Yemi Alade

 

 

When a song is nice we play it twice!

Two popular talented Nigerian music artistes, Joe EL and Yemi Alade release a banger titled ‘Celebrate’.

Read for the message inserted in the song!

 CONTENT ANALYSIS OF ‘CELEBRATE’

Joe EL uses his unique signature tune for the intro of this soul-lifting song. A unique tune indeed that enraptures the audience easily. He then graduates to the first verse which immensely drags the audience. He announces that it is hooray! Everyone has to turn out in this ululation, and a time that is purely right for this. This is evident thus: ‘The time has come for somebody to jubilate oo/…..to cut the cake’. He urges everyone to take part in this celebration as everyone got to display his dance styles alongside with a partner not solo. This is evident thus: ‘So make you no dance only on…/get up and do your dance/…turn around’. He invites different people for this celebration from different cultural makeups. In the chorus he sees that really the people have involved themselves in the merriment. The moment life has made possible a get-together for people of common and uncommon interest (s). The squeaky yet captivating voice of Yemi flavours the appealing effect of the chorus to the ear the more. She steps in with giving a new liveliness to the occasion of course this is the moment dance elevates to the climax. Then she furthers by refraining a forte that gingers the audience again. She invites old and young, even momma and papa will have to come and take part. This is evident thus: ‘Iyoo o mama…Iyoo o papa(x2)…/cele(celebrate o x4)’. She sees the time as such that everybody should dine and wine, the moment of absolute freedom and the very moment that workers have to rest. This explains why it is said that ‘there’s time for everything in life’. One should at least have that single moment of fun out of his many days of work. She sees the occasion as a finished job because everyone around this time got money or she would be ready to bear the bill. The meal includes some African dishes/tribal food which they have from different cultures. The merriment shall even involve fondling in the helicopter.

Also interesting to know is the song is a hybrid of both gospel and afro-pop music. This creates unison among ‘believers and unbelievers’ thereby fostering love and harmony.

THEMES

v Theme of celebration: This is the major theme in the song. Its lines and verses point a mental picture of celebration plus the beat which provides the banging-rhythm for a spectacular dance.

v Theme of Unity: The song is blind to differences that could be found among religion, race, class, cultures as well as power. It is fit for virtually every occasion and in any part of the world. Simply, it blends two or more unidentical cultures or modes of life together.

v Theme of Motivation: The song motivates upon listening to it. The audience is heightened in hope, there may not be money now but let us ‘celebrate’. It thus, encourages optimism thereby eradicating brood or boredom.

v Theme of Dance as a Way of Life: That the best joy in life is when we come together to dance in one love and harmony. Dance culture has a binding spirit that unites people from all walks of life. W hile dancing, one forgets every pinch of sadness, exerts that vigorous energy yet with smiles spreading on the face.