7 Seconds
7 Seconds

Youssou N’Dour - 7 Seconds Lyrics

What do you get when you mix world music with a universal message? A global anthem challenging us to look beyond skin deep. Youssou N’Dour weaves a bilingual tapestry, emphasizing unity over division: the true colors worth seeing are those of empathy and… Read more

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7 Seconds Music Video

7 Seconds Lyrics

Boul ma sene, boul ma guiss madi re nga fokni mane
Khamouma li neka thi sama souf ak thi guinaw
Beugouma kouma khol oaldine yaw li neka si yaw
Mo ne si man, li ne si mane moye dilene diapale

Roughneck and rudeness
We should be using on the ones who practice wicked charms
For the sword and the stone
Bad to the bone
Battle is not over
Even when it's won
And when a child is born into this world
It has no concept
Of the tone of skin it's living in
It's not a second

We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
It's not a second
We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
I'll be waiting
I'll be waiting

J'assume les raisons qui nous poussent de changer tout
J'aimerais qu'on oublie leur couleur pour qu'ils esperent
Beaucoup de sentiments de race qui font qu'ils desesperent
Je veux les portes grandements ouvertes
Des amis pour parler de leur peine, de leur joie
Pour qu'ils leur filent des infos qui ne divisent pas
Changer

We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
It's not a second
We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
I'll be waiting
I'll be waiting

And when a child is born into this world
It has no concept
Of the tone of skin it's living in
And there's a million voices
And there's a million voices
To tell you what you should be thinking
So you better sober up for just a second

We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
It's not a second
We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
It's not a second
We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting

It's not a second
We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
It's not a second
We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting

It's not a second
We're seven seconds away
Or just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting

Writer(s): Cameron Mcvey, Jonathan Sharp, Neneh Cherry, Youssou N'Dour
Copyright(s): Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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What is the Meaning of 7 Seconds?

What do you get when you mix world music with a universal message? A global anthem challenging us to look beyond skin deep. Youssou N’Dour weaves a bilingual tapestry, emphasizing unity over division: the true colors worth seeing are those of empathy and understanding. The "seven seconds" isn’t just a catchy refrain; it's a metaphorical tick-tock reminding us how quickly prejudice can be upended—or reinforced. With every newborn, hope's clock resets, blissfully unaware of the social constructs they'll soon learn about. Meanwhile, our sage narrator suggests fighting evil with kindness and warns against the cacophony of opinions telling us who to be. So, next time you’re in a rush, remember: change might only be seven seconds away—or at least a song's length!

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who collaborated with Youssou N'Dour on '7 Seconds'?

    Youssou N'Dour collaborated with Swedish singer Neneh Cherry on '7 Seconds.' The song features both artists' vocals, with N'Dour singing in three languages: English, French, and Wolof, while Cherry sings in English.

  2. What languages are sung in the song '7 Seconds'?

    '7 Seconds' is a multilingual song featuring lyrics in English, French, and Wolof. Wolof is a language spoken primarily in Senegal, Gambia, and Mauritania. Youssou N’Dour sings in all three languages to reflect his Senegalese heritage.

  3. How did '7 Seconds' perform commercially?

    '7 Seconds' was a significant commercial success globally. It reached the top 10 of the charts in several countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Paraguay and the UK. It also achieved number one positions in Finland, France (where it stayed at the top for 16 consecutive weeks), Iceland, Italy and Switzerland.

  4. What inspired the concept behind '7 Seconds'?

    '7 Seconds' reflects on the innocence of newborns who are unaware of racial prejudices or societal biases. The title signifies the first seven seconds of a child's life before they begin to learn about the complexities and divisions within our world.

  5. Who directed the music video for '7 Seconds', and what was its theme?

    The music video for '7 Seconds' was directed by Stéphane Sednaoui. It features black-and-white visuals portraying people of different ethnicities passing by while Youssou N'Dour and Neneh Cherry sing. The video supports the song’s message of universal human connection beyond racial differences.

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