The Sunday Mail
Andrew Moyo —
SINCE the first day of February, social media have been abuzz with relationship memes, as has become the norm every year in the run-up to St Valentine’s Day.
The day of reckoning is this Tuesday, when loved ones will be implementing various tactics to either dodge or shower their partners with presents.
February is known as the month of love because of this particular day, and it is hard to ignore, perhaps even more so for those who are single.
Many people will attest to the fact that music is an essential element when it comes to spicing up any romantic escapades, and the global music industry has been built around matters of the heart.
While Zimbabwe’s music scene has had numerous artistes who have perfected the art of telling love stories through song, there is one particular name that stands out: the late Paul Matavire. Although he passed away in 2005, Dr Love will live long in the memories of many.
He got his nickname because of his ability to intricately explore various relationship scenarios.
Being partially blind, he defied all odds, leading the Jairos Jiri Band to become one of the most successful music outfits in the country before abandoning ship to pursue a solo career.
Perhaps – like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles – the lack of sight helped him better relate emotions through words.
Not only was he a lyrical genius, but the way Dr Love arranged his music – spicing it up with humour and captivating dialogue – made the difference between being ordinary and being great.
Whether he was trying to convince a female job seeker to get into a relationship with him as the boss in “Tanga Wandida”, or talking about his preference for “ugly” women in “Chipuka Ndipe Mwenje”, he was always showing why he was called Dr Love.
In “Tanga Wandida”, the smooth operator with a sweet tongue comes out as he uses clever word play to seduce his prey.
The song “Ndarota Ndinaye” sees him telling a woman to come to his “love surgery”.
“Chipuka Ndipe Mwenje” speaks of men who are only interested in women’s physical appearance, which is why they end up being deceived by fake hair and makeup coupled with horrible characters. He likens women who artificially enhance their beauty to flowers, which are only attractive when you pluck them but will wither by the following morning.
In “Unondidirei”, he advises people to be honest in relationships, stressing the importance of getting to know each other before deciding to settle. He discourages relationships based on, stating that while he might be financially poor, he has a billion kisses reserved for the woman he will marry.
His lyrics would get you hooked as his songs unraveled like a story that one was forced to listen to up the end in order to know how the story concluded.
Besides his ability to craft romantic statements he was also an articulate social commentator, with his diversity enabling him to tackle many issues with songs heavily laden with relatable scenarios.
Other hits from this maestro are “Kisimusi Yatosvika”, “Dhiabhorosi Nyoka”, “Ma U”, “Dhindindi Full Time”, “January Disease” and “Adhala Vegonyeti”, to name just a few.
He took his music on tours of Europe and the United States, showing that love knows no language or bourndaries.
But his career was not all rosy as he had to serve a prison sentence for – ironically – rape in 1991, only to be released a year later after getting a Presidential pardon.
That stint as a “guest of the State” did not kill his muse as he continued churning out hits. At his prime, Dr Love was among Zimbabwe’s biggest selling artistes, staging sold-out shows and enjoying the status of a megastar.
So as you listen to the romantic grooves of Alexio Kawara, Ngoni Kambarami, Cindy, Trevor Dongo, Roki, Bryan K and Selma Mtukudzi this St Valentine’s Day, do not forget to treat your better half to the music of Paul “Dr Love” Matavire.
