There is something about music, it connects you with the past. Every time you hear a song, chances are it will remind you of the first time you heard it, the best time you heard it, or it will bring those tears rolling down the cheeks.

That is the beauty of music.
So every time I listen to my collection of old school music, local old school music, one question constantly jogs my mind: which is the best local song made so far? I remember in the Silver Jubilee celebrations, Chitekete walked away with the gong, but was it the best song that Zimbabwe has ever listened to?

There are many aspects to judge a song by, like how popular it was on request shows, at the parties, at the record bars, on radio and/or television and at live shows.
But then there are some songs which might not have sold thousands, but will remain etched in our memories for years to come, songs that will have relevance for ages to come.

Handirambe by Paul Matavire easily comes to mind. The song is so soulful, it touches the very core of your psyche. It is an Aids song, done in such a way it does not bore you, it is not your usual Aids song, but it has deep meaning.
Better than that, it can relate to any other ailment, outbreak, death scenario — past, present or future. I am not sure how many of you readers know that Paul Matavire didn’t pen that one — that it was written by David Mabvuramiti?

Whilst Leonard Dembo immortalised his name with such songs as Vhenenziya and Chitekete, there are other songs like Kanganwiro that have deeper meaning.
You could easily say that Kanganwiro is a gospel track, for it carries with it some biblical teaching. Just like Alick Macheso’s Mwari Wenyasha.
As much as we had good songs, there are other songs that will remain etched in our memories forever, am not sure if it is for their artistic attributes. How many remember Special Meat by Calisto Nyamhute? Well, that song reached the charts — and stayed there — for weeks if not months, besides the fact that the song does not carry any message.

Must have been made for parties, but if there is one song that was made for parties and did achieve that, it must have been Ndochi by Papa Joze (am informed the guy is late now, may his soul rest in peace) and no party in the early ’90s could be held without Ndochi.
Then there was James Chimombe, of Jemedza fame, or Cecilia, but I would want to think that Jikinya was his best song. The song is rich in texture, it has everything from instruments to vocals — and the message too!

If you listen carefully to Jikinya, you would want to think it is the same song as Patrick Mukwamba’s Usambonyara (Nebasa Raunoita). Or Macheso’s Charakupa in later years.
Oh, and the Super Sounds! Remember them? Yes, you cannot forget them for they gave us Chipendani, one song with probably the best instrument arrangement ever made in the country. Especially after the vocals are done and then the “chipendani” starts playing, Zimbabwean music is just rich.

This is not an attempt to look at the best musician or artiste, but rather the best songs, the most touching songs we have been blessed with.
Because of that, the dynamics go beyond Oliver Mtukudzi and Thomas Mapfumo — who have, undoubtedly, given us some of the not-so-forgettable songs over the decades.

Talking of which, Ndiri Bofu by Mtukudzi is one of those songs that send one into introspection, a song that makes you realise that there is a Maker above. But it would not be my best song from Pakare Paye Arts Centre, for Hazvireve (Rudo Handina) had a lot of significance to me.
Allow me, dear reader, to let emotions work for me on this one, the time it was released it had a lot of meaning in my life.

But then, for others will say Jerry, done in remembrance of Jack Sadza, will have more meaning; or Rufu Ndimadzongonyedze; or Sandi Bonde, or Svovi Yangu.
Gandanga, Cde Thomas Mapfumo, has had a lot of hits, spawning decades, but, as captured in a previous instalment of this column, it is the Singles Collection that captures

Mapfumo at his best. Outside of the collection, there is Vanhu Vatema, which was equally well received though I think Bhutsu Mutandarika, or Pidigori, or Muchadura, well, I have to admit I am losing myself here.

It would be folly to talk about the history of Zimbabwean music without mentioning Solo naMutsai, which was the song of the ’80s.
Devera Ngwena Jazz Band, funny that it wasn’t even a jazz band, made its mark on the local music scene with Solo naMutsai . . . I can even hear the lyrics playing in my mind. Admittedly, the group went on to release a number of hits, like Wangu Pee, which I did not know then that it will have some meaning to me years later as well.

The Bhundu Boys came on the scene and gave us Simbimbino, which in my humblest submission is the best song the group ever made. That’s arguable, though. And who remembers the late Tobias Areketa — and his song Amai, which pays tribute to our mothers. I am not sure which song, between his and Chiwoniso Maraire’s Mai, would pick the gong for the best song made for mothers.

In my discussion with colleagues I have always argued that Ilanga is probably the most talented group yet to emerge out of Zimbabwe, as on its splitting it gave us individual musicians like Andy Brown (late), Don Gumbo (late), Busi Ncube and Keith Farquason. And then they decided to give us True Love, which is as danceable and repeatable as it was two decades ago. That was music, man.

Simon Chimbetu gave us Oppah (Manica Valley) and there have been some theories that the song was a dedication to Oppah Muchinguri, I am not sure about that and unfortunately during our interactions when he was still around it passed my mind to ask him. But I think his best song has to be Samatenga, forget about Imba Isina Window
or Dzandipedza Mafuta.
To be continued