The Top 8 South African Songs of All Time

There is such a thing as a South African sound - indefinable, tragic, with a hint of glory.

Growing up in the '90s, most South African bands were trying to sound like Nirvana. In short, they were terrible. I gave up on South African music. In my little corner, it seemed there was no swing, no roll with the rock.

Last year, I went back in time and listened to more South African music, and gradually I felt like I got a sense, a taste, of a certain sound characteristic of South African music

Now I know many folk out there would say that all music and musicians are original or individuals, nobody can be put in a box et cetera. I disagree. I think all art is just a long stream of conversation with the past - that you can only be truly original if you build on the past. In this light, regions can and probably should have a unique sound. Think the Chicago blues, Motown, British blues, Jamaican reggae, Swedish pop, New York punk, the Austrian classical era, Latin chant and so forth.

What would we call our era in South African music? Perhaps the fact that we can't think of a name indicates the current fragmentation of our body social - a fading Rainbow Nation.

Who knows? Maybe listening to some good South African music might contribute, in some small way, to nation-building.

After all, Dostoevsky famously wrote, 'Beauty will save the world.'

So below I give you my choice of the eight best South African songs of all time - in no particular order. Enjoy:

1. 'Burnout' by Hotstix Mabuse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9bRWYfPOMQ

You've heard it in the ad. The angst of the '80s sublimated into the angst of a love burning out.

2. 'Weeping' by Bright Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdyu_jcLYW8

If you listen carefully you'll hear the deep melody of the then banned Nkosi Sikelela harmonising in the background. How many people do you know who are not really roaring, rather they are weeping?

3. 'Pata Pata' by Miriam Makeba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNeP3hrm__k

Touch, touch, the song means in Xhosa. This global hit put Makeba on the world stage.

4. 'Beloofde Land' by Die Heuwels Fantasties

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSY1NalnSqI

Die Heuwels Fantasties seemed to me to fleetingly represent a new wave of Afrikaans self-confidence in terms of the lyrical potential of the language to make good pop music.

5. 'Spirit of the Great Heart' by Johnny Clegg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNEmU8qTEQY

Jock of the Bushveld soundtrack. If this song doesn't get the heart pumping, you are probably not South African.

6. 'Another Country' by Mango Groove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMmUtvYL4B8

Again, the South African experience faithfully portrayed in the particular, making the song universal in scope. Moving.

7. 'Homeless' by Ladysmith Black Mambazo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFQ1TSzdpRA

The South African super-group. I used to play soccer on the St Mary's field in Kloof with their grandkids. Basically the E Street Band of South Africa.

8. 'Shallow Waters' by Just Jinjer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlIfm5uCjPE

It was the '90s, and Just Jinjer were taking white South Africans out of the grunge fad. We should still be grateful.

Obviously I've left out a lot - think 'Scatterlings of Africa' and 'Special Star', 'Jakarandastrate' or Hugh Masekela! This is just my take.

But listen to these eight, and I am sure you'll feel... something.. something that is ours.