Pata Pata: a light touch of influence
Pata Pata that translates as a light touch requires no introduction in South Africa.
South African’s have enjoyed Pata Pata since 1959 when Mariam Makeba and the girl group, The Skylarks first performed it.
But it wasn’t until the re-recording in 1967 that the song became a global hit.
The version we are all familiar with today was recorded by US and R&B producer Jerry Ragovoy.
It is more directly pop and features English lyrics:
“Pata Pata is the name of a Dance we do down Johannesburg way.”
“And everybody starts to move as soon as Pata Pata starts to play.”
The infectious nature of the song sends Mariam into high demand.
Makeba goes from being unknown in 1959 to popular in America and everywhere she travelled in South America in 1967.
She talks about how “in the disco’s they have invented a new dance called the Pata Pata. Couples dance apart, and then reach out and touch each other.”
Regardless, Makeba didn’t understand why the song was popular.
In her 1987 autobiography, she describes it as “one of my most insignificant songs”.
Songs like ‘Sophia is Gone’ and ‘Soweto Blues were more to her liking.
Makeba lived in Sophiatown in 1950.
It was a vibrant musical town where kwela music, marabi, African jazz and big band music became popular.
Significantly, it was also one of the few places where all races could mix at the time.
Her music was described as politically charged.
But Makeba maintained that it was not.
“I’m not a political singer. I don’t know what the word means. People think I consciously decide to tell the world what was happening in South Africa. No! I was singing about my life.”
“…In South Africa we always sang about what was happening. Especially the things that hurt us.”
Regardless the significance of Pata Pata is best described in a 2000 interview.
Makeba said, “sometimes people are tired of thinking of difficult and unpleasant things.”
Makeba may have denied that her music shared any political influence, but she was a voice on an international stage.
She appeared in ‘Come Back, Africa’ an anti-apartheid film by Lionel Rogosin.
Her appearance in the film stripped her of her South African citizenship.
It also allowed her the freedom to voice what was happening through music.
“Through my music I became this voice and image of Africa and the people without even realising,” says Makeba in her 1987 autobiography,
The flirtatious light touch of Pata Pata transcended borders and race and time.
In 2008 she performed Pata Pata one last time in Italy before succumbing to a heart attack shortly after.
Other versions of the song
More artists performed and reworked the song since 1959.
The most recent version was released in July of this year by Somi, a vocalist from Illinois.
Also Read: ‘New age Exec!!!’- Black Coffee shares visuals of himself as an executive at Gallo Record Company
QUICK LINKS
UpComing Shows
Feel Good
With Andy Maqondwana
Feel good about feeling good! That's exactly what The Feel-Good show is about. An escape from the negativity that surrounds us, indulging you in good feels. Pass it on to one and all. Spread the good feeling around Gauteng with Andy Maqondwana.
close
Kaya Biz
With Gugulethu Mfuphi
The world of business is simplified for you by Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi. This fast-paced award-winning business show talks to the corporate giants as well as up and coming entrepreneurs about their wins and challenges. Gugulethu invites guests to offer their analyses of markets and economies, and also delves into issues of personal financial wellness. Kaya Biz airs Mondays to Thursdays 18h00 to 19h00.
close
Point of View
With Phemelo Motene
Point of View with Phemelo Motene delves into the day’s current affairs, touches on real issues that affect people’s daily lives and shares expert advice on questions posed by the audience. Mondays to Thursdays 20:00 to 22:00.
close
959 Music Weekdays
Kaya 959 Hits
Real. Familiar. Memorable. Kaya 959 brings you the music you know and love from our playlist. Uninterrupted. Thursdays 20h00 to 21h00
close
The Best T in the City
With T Bose
He has held it down in the world of mid-morning radio with the best music, riveting topics, brilliant mixes and interesting guests. Every weekday, The Best T proves why he is the BEST by connecting to you like only your bro or favourite uncle could. He lets his listeners dictate the songs they want to hear in the ever-popular Top 10 at 10, and his Three Teaspoons never run out. Catch The Best T in the City Mondays to Fridays from 09h00 to 12h00.
closeConnect with Kaya 959
DownLoad Our Mobile App
