Though there are many Yoruba songs that were sung majorly on the theme of love, here are some of the top 5 Yoruba love songs of all time which by means of their intensity, you too will have to concur with and then agree with us on this.
Singing is generally defined as the art of arranging sound to create some combination of form, harmony, melody, rhythm or otherwise expressive content. The art of singing or song often plays a key role in social activities, religious rituals, rite of passage ceremonies, celebrations, cultural activities, or for emotional reasons such as expression of love.
Top 5 Yoruba Love Songs of all Time
This article is only going to concentrate on giving you the best of best when it comes to at least top 5 Yoruba love songs of all time. Mere looking at these songs, I bet there will be no argument about their uniqueness and everlasting rhythm which also includes their psychedelic motives and effect too.
1. Orlando Julius E’s Ololufe
“Ololufe” by Orlando Julius Ekemode: Some believe that the (supposed) co-founder of the Afrobeat genre Magnum Opus is “Jagua Nana” but for me it’s “Ololufe”. Sang from the viewpoint of a man begging his wife, the lyrics shows what defines a Yoruba marriage/man as successful. For me though, what killed the song is the sound…it transports me to a place where I was in the days of innocence…the horns, trumpet and sax are so on point that it pushes me to the edge of tears.
2. KWAM 1’s My Love
“My love” by King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal 1 (KWAM1): I’m a huge KWAM1 fan but that has nothing to do with the worthiness of this song on this list. Though delivered in a laid-back song-speech and laced with some English words in between, the song with its wonderful use of keyboard and other instruments makes a delightable listening (especially during a downpour with your hands around your beloved) and everyone can relate to it. It is a wonderful example that Yoruba music can be without loud sounds.
3. Ebenezer Obey’s Olomi Gbo Temi
“Olo mi gbo temi o” by Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey: released in 1962 (I think), this song from Obey’s second album was said to have been the launching pad for an amazing music career and rightfully so. The song taps directly into conjugal love felt by a newly-wedded man to his bride and his desire to show it. Apart from the lyrics of the song, the drumming is also very on point. There is no man alive who understands Yoruba language that does not love the song.
4. Tosin Martins’ Olo Mi
“Olo mi” by Tosin Martins: This is THE wedding reception song. I can write a whole website analysing what I love about the song: The instrumentals are so on point that they alone woulda been a world-class song (not surprising considering the calibre of the producer); then the wordings are themselves a work of art and written from the viewpoint of a young man wooing a maiden for marriage that would be for better or worse till the day they are old; the synthesis of these two elements to bring a song that makes everyone want to get married.
5. Beautiful Nubia’s What A Feeling!
“What a feeling” by Beautiful Nubia: There is a reason this song was a top song for about two years when it came out. The lyrics, though some(chorus) are in English, are poetic and evocative, showing the way a Yoruba man should who a lady he intends to marry (bringing in friends and family). The use of English and Yoruba languages makes the song a top one for westernized Yorubans. And the back-up voices are so angelic! (Especially towards the end). The trumpets solo at the start of the song is very definitive.
