Last week, Jim (NewEpicAuthor, A Unique Title For Me) set a theme of togetherness (my selection). This week, he gives us the theme numbers.

Numbers, eh? I thought of a few matches for this, but one of my favourites was a 1994 collaboration by Youssou N’Dour and Neneh Cherry. Written by N’Dour, Cherry, Cameron McVey and Jonathan Sharp, it was a #1 hit in many countries (in France, it remained so for 16 weeks!). It was also voted the 1994 Song of the Year by MTV Europe. It charted at #3 in the UK and at #98 on the Hot 100.

N’Dour is originally Senegalese, and has tried his hand at many things during his long career. As well as penning/performing this song, he stood for President of Senegal in 2012. Although disqualified under dubious circumstances, he went on to back the eventual winner, Macky Sall, who is still president there today.

Cherry is actually Swedish-born, although she is mostly known for her work in the UK record industry. In her career, she has won 2 Brit awards, the MTV award, and has been nominated for a Grammy. She first came onto my radar with her 1988 single hits Buffalo Stance and Manchild, both of which were Top 10 hits in the UK.

This song is their collaboration. It is called 7 Seconds.

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 the skin is living in

It’s not a second
Seven seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I’ll be waiting
It’s not a second
Seven seconds away
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 races qui font qu’ils desesperent
Je veux les deux mains ouvertes,
Des amis pour parler de leur peine, de leur joie
Pour qu’ils leur filent des infos qui ne divisent pas
Changer

Seven seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I’ll be waiting
It’s not a second
Seven seconds away
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 the 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
Just as long as I stay
I’ll be waiting
It’s not a second
We’re seven seconds away
For just as long as I stay
I’ll be waiting
It’s not a second
Seven seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I’ll be waiting

Yousou N’Dour, Nenah Cherry, Cameron McVey, Jonathan Sharp