Chimbudzi: A hit or miss?

PATIENCE MUSA

When Mwenje Mathole told me, he had just released a song called Chimbudzi, nothing could have prepared me for the romance in the song.

Even if it were, would anyone associate such a word with romance?

If you have not heard this song, you need to look it up on YouTube or simply tune in to ZiFM Stereo.

It’s five and half minutes of the most unique sound as Mathole’s easy husky voice pours into the song.

We all look for different elements in a song. It could be the melody, instrumental, the visuals.

But, for me, it is the lyrics.

With some songs, what grabs me first though is the piano or guitar intro.

In the song, Mwenje Mathole, is comparing the woman he loves to Chimbudzi, that little mobile phone, which many believe will not crack, no matter how many times one drops it.

For most of us, it’s that little phone we keep with us so we can transact in our businesses when making use of mobile money wallets. It also endures long periods without running out of power.

Mathole, kicks off the first verse by referring to people who are like some phones that need to be charged every day, he concludes that the reason being that they are insecure in the relationship.

The chorus describes how the woman in his life is a chimbudzi, his rib and the love is so strong it doesn’t need recharging often.

In the second verse, he talks about people who are like cars that need to be serviced every other day but his love is not like that.

I have had debates with Mathole on this song because who wants to be in a relationship where one doesn’t get attention? Maybe Chimbudzi is another word for ‘ride or die’?

Mathole told Business Times that the song was inspired by ‘the common desire for longevity’.

“I see people longing for long lasting happiness ever after.

That drove me to compose a song that encourages commitment, long suffering, patience, true love and endurance like Chimbudzi,” Mathole said.

He is not the first, or will be the last, to write an unusual love song that we listen to and love.

But, he leaves us with a lot of questions to ask the composer.

Gym Class Heroes have a song released in 2005 called Cupid’s Chokehold.

The chorus is what’s crazy for me ‘Take a look at my girlfriend she’s all I got , never much of a girlfriend I never get a lot’.

Who could forget The Police’s Every Breath You Take released in 1983.

Yes, I want attention but this song kinda goes to a ‘stalker’ level – ‘Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take, I’ll be watching you.

You have to ask, is this still about love, because it sounds like something someone would say if they were your jailer?

Truth of the matter is its different strokes for different folks, who wants a mushy slow love song dedication all the time? Change it up with Chimbudzi and see if you’ll still be in a relationship after they listen to the whole song.