Once A Fave, Always A Fave: Angelique Kidjo's "We Are One"

I love randomly stumbling upon things that take me back in time, those little moments that bring a rush of nostalgia. A few days ago, someone from my contacts posted a snippet of Angélique Kidjo’s We Are One on their status. The instant I heard it, I was filled with joy, almost as if I had completely forgotten about the song, it's been so long anyway. Yet, it was once my absolute favorite, first from The Lion King II, one of the movies I cherished as a little girl. I would always replay the part where this song played featured in the movie, over and over again.

Then, one of my older sisters got her first button phone and added the song to her playlist. I’m pretty sure she always hid her phone from me because I was constantly sneaking it away just to play the song. Back then, all that mattered to me was how beautiful the song sounded. I wasn’t concerned with learning the lyrics or understanding the full meaning behind it. In fact, my favorite parts of the song were the sections where Angélique Kidjo sang in her native language. My little sister and I would eagerly wait for those moments to sing though we had no idea what the words meant.

Coming across the song again, I found myself paying closer attention, not just to its melody but also to its lyrics and the deeper message it conveys. The first verse speaks about life’s uncertainty, how there is so much we don’t understand. It is so deep that the more you look, the more likely you are to see. Even when we try to figure out our own paths and find a way through life, unexpected things happen sometimes and we might lose our foot because things don't always go as planned. It’s one of those truths that become clearer the more we reflect on them. One of the hardest things ever is dealing with the unknown, and that is why life can be tough. The unknowns, the ups and downs, it's all part of the big journey of life, one of which we must have to go through unfortunately.

The second verse, in particular, focuses on self-reflection. In the face of life’s uncertainties, we often find ourselves weighed down by expectations, those from family, society, and even ourselves. The people who love us always want the best for us. They encourage us to shine and reach our full potential. But do their definitions of best align with what truly brings out our own best? Can we still do things our own way and succeed? Trying to find the balance between trusting our own heart and also dealing the the pressures and expectations all around us can be very daunting. Especially, when the feelings boils down to thinking we're some sort of piece that completes one big puzzle where we think we don't have any control whatsoever over our own lives

Above all, the chorus carries heartwarming reassurances. It reminds us that we are never alone. There will always be people who support us, family, good friends, and even the unexpected strangers who walk into our lives and make them better. Even so rightly that we might have to accomplish a big purpose in our lives as we find our way, we'll have have people that gives a backing like a pillar supporting a house.

The song itself isn’t long; its message is simple yet profound. And so, I find myself falling in love with it all over again. This time, it means even more, to think that someone put these feelings into words and turned them into a melody that touches the heart every time you listen is amazing. I can’t get enough of it now.

Cover Image Is Mine
Video From YouTube