Gimme Hope Jo'anna
Encyclopedia
"Gimme Hope Jo'anna" is a song originally by Eddy Grant
, a well-known anti-apartheid reggae
anthem from the 1980s, written during the apartheid era in South Africa
. The song was banned by the South African government when it was released, but was widely played in South Africa nonetheless. It reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart
, becoming Grant's first Top 10 hit for more than five years.
, but also the South African Government that ran the apartheid system. Soweto
is a black township near Johannesburg, notable for its role in the resistance to the apartheid laws. The apartheid-era South African army was well-known for "sneaking across the neighbours' borders" to fight in other countries, most notably in the Angolan Civil War
. The archbishop is Desmond Tutu
, who won the Nobel Peace Prize
for his opposition to apartheid.
"She's got supporters in high up places, Who turn their heads to the city sun" represents the unwillingness of the international community, at first, to take action against the South African government for using the apartheid system. It is also a reference to Sun City
, the South African luxury resort. "She even knows how to swing opinion, In every magazine and the journals" represents the propaganda which the media contributed which attributed to the success of the Apartheid system.
Eddy Grant performed a version of this song at the closing ceremony of the Indian Premier League T-20 cricket tournament on 25 May 2009. The song included a short reprise with the lyrics "...Jo'anna still runs this country" and the rest of the reprise in present tense.
Argentine comedian Yayo Guridi in his 'Cantante Enmascarado' (The Masked Singer) persona sang a literal Spanish translation of this song on the Argentine humorous TV show 'Sin Codificar' on the episode that preceded the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. Johannesburg is the city where the Argentine National Football Team
played its opening match against Nigeria
. German acapella band Basta also covered this song, dedicated to Germany
's manager Joachim Loew. The song was also versioned by the German punk group J.B.O.
.
While not a cover, this song was modified for a Joop commercial.
12" maxi
Eddy Grant
Edmond Montague "Eddy" Grant is a musician, born in Plaisance, Guyana.- Life and career :When he was still a young boy, his parents emigrated to London, UK, where he settled. He lived in Kentish Town and went to school at the Acland Burghley Secondary Modern at Tufnell Park...
, a well-known anti-apartheid reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
anthem from the 1980s, written during the apartheid era in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The song was banned by the South African government when it was released, but was widely played in South Africa nonetheless. It reached #7 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, becoming Grant's first Top 10 hit for more than five years.
Lyrics
"Jo'anna" in the lyrics represents not only the city of JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, but also the South African Government that ran the apartheid system. Soweto
Soweto
Soweto is a lower-class-populated urban area of the city of Johannesburg in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships...
is a black township near Johannesburg, notable for its role in the resistance to the apartheid laws. The apartheid-era South African army was well-known for "sneaking across the neighbours' borders" to fight in other countries, most notably in the Angolan Civil War
Angolan Civil War
The Angolan Civil War was a major civil conflict in the Southern African state of Angola, beginning in 1975 and continuing, with some interludes, until 2002. The war began immediately after Angola became independent from Portugal in November 1975. Prior to this, a decolonisation conflict had taken...
. The archbishop is Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
, who won the Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
for his opposition to apartheid.
"She's got supporters in high up places, Who turn their heads to the city sun" represents the unwillingness of the international community, at first, to take action against the South African government for using the apartheid system. It is also a reference to Sun City
Sun City, North West
Sun City is a luxury casino and resort, situated in the North West Province of South Africa. It is located about two hours' drive from Johannesburg, near the city of Rustenburg. The complex borders the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.- History :...
, the South African luxury resort. "She even knows how to swing opinion, In every magazine and the journals" represents the propaganda which the media contributed which attributed to the success of the Apartheid system.
Eddy Grant performed a version of this song at the closing ceremony of the Indian Premier League T-20 cricket tournament on 25 May 2009. The song included a short reprise with the lyrics "...Jo'anna still runs this country" and the rest of the reprise in present tense.
Cover versions
A cover was recorded by the South African Band, Dr. Victor and the Rasta Rebels.Argentine comedian Yayo Guridi in his 'Cantante Enmascarado' (The Masked Singer) persona sang a literal Spanish translation of this song on the Argentine humorous TV show 'Sin Codificar' on the episode that preceded the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. Johannesburg is the city where the Argentine National Football Team
Argentina national football team
The Argentina national football team represents Argentina in association football and is controlled by the Argentine Football Association , the governing body for football in Argentina. Argentina's home stadium is Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti and their head coach is Alejandro...
played its opening match against Nigeria
Nigeria national football team
The Nigeria national football team, nicknamed the Super Eagles or Green Eagles, is the national team of Nigeria and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation . The team has ranked as high as 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, in April 1994...
. German acapella band Basta also covered this song, dedicated to Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
's manager Joachim Loew. The song was also versioned by the German punk group J.B.O.
J.B.O.
J.B.O. is a heavy metal band from Erlangen, Germany. J.B.O. was founded in 1989 by Vito C. and Hannes "G.Laber" Holzmann and is known for parodies of rock and pop songs...
.
While not a cover, this song was modified for a Joop commercial.
Track listings
7" single- "Gimme Hope Jo'Anna" — 3:47
- "Say Hello to Fidel" — 4:41
12" maxi
- "Gimme Hope Jo'Anna"
- "Say Hello to Fidel"
- "Living on the Frontline" (live version)
Peak positions
| Chart (1988) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 2 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 1 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 8 |
| German Singles Chart | 4 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 8 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 2 |
| UK Singles Chart | 7 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1988) | Position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 20 |
| Dutch Top 40 | 10 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 2 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified | Physical sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Silver | 1988 | 200,000 | 243,000 |
Chart successions
External links
- South Campfire Song Book - includes lyrics
- Sin Codificar. "El Cantante Enmascarado singing a literal Spanish translation of Gimme Hope Jo'anna", America TV, Buenos Aires, 6 June 2009.