South Africa
Foreign Songs
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"Parfuum" (Perfume), written and performed by Gerhard Steyn, was rated #1 on the “Die Burger Afrikaans Nasionale Top 10” (Die Burger, or The Citizen, is a South African national newspaper) and hovered in the top 10 for more than nine weeks.

Steyn has taken the Afrikaans music industry by storm. Having studied theology and psychiatry, he released a Gospel album in 2012, Nuwe Krag (New Strength). While working on it, claims Steyn, he came up with most of the melodies for his following album, Brood and Melk, which was written with great ease. This latest work conveys the message that, despite hardship, love can conquer all. His mesmerizing stage performances, alluring character, and lack of pretention have made Steyn a household name to many South Africans.

"This latest work conveys the message that, despite hardship, love can conquer all"

Although "Parfuum" is a love song of passionate yearning, it is upbeat, makes for easy listening, is a definite hit at all Sokkie dances, and is played on most Afrikaans and local radio stations. Similar to the American “Sock Hop,” Sokkie is a dance performed by two dance partners, usually with only their socks on or barefooth, which is unique to South Africa. It's commonly known as “langarm” (long arm), “water-pomp” (water pump, because the couple's arms look like they're pumping water) or “windsurfing.” It's similar to ballroom dancing, but is danced to all genres of music.

The lyrics of Parfuum are simple and somewhat repetititve, and they refer to the recalled scent of a woman who is far away from the singer. He asks himself what he misses most about her and then concludes that he must see her again.

Lyrics:

Is dit die reuk van jou parfuum? (Is it the smell of your perfume?). Of hoe jy glimlag as jy my sien? (Or how you smile when you see me?). Is dit die glinster in jou oë? (Is it the glistening in your eyes?). Wat my in twee plus twee laat glo (that allows me to believe in two plus two). Is dit die trane oor jou wang? (Is it the tears rolling down your cheek?) Wat sê dat jy na my ook verlang? (Which says that you also miss me?) Is dit die diepte in jou oë? (Is it the depths in your eyes?) Wat my altyd laat glo. (That allows me to always believe).

Chorus: Al is jy ver van my (even when you are far from me). En jy dans voor my (and you dance before me). Ruik ek jou parfuum (I smell your perfume) x2

Oral waar ek gaan (wherever I go). Dra ek 'n foto saam (I carry a photo of you). Ruik soos jou parfuum x2 (smells as your perfume)

Is dit die reuk van jou parfuum? (Is it the smell of your perfume?). Of hoe ek voel wanneer ek jou sien? (Or the way I feel when I see you?) Is dit die sprankel in jou oë? (Or the twinkle in your eyes?) Wat my in liefde laat glo? (Which allows me to believe in love?)

Chorus: Al is jy ver van my (even when you are far from me). En jy dans voor my (and you dance before me). Ruik ek jou parfuum (I smell your perfume) x2

Oral waar ek gaan (wherever I go). Dra ek 'n foto saam (I carry a photo of you). Ruik soos jou parfuum (smells of your perfume) x2

As ek net 'n dag in jou oë kan staar (If there was just a day I could stare into your eyes). En ons flippin net kon werk (and we could flipping make it work). Al is jy ver van my (even if you are far from me). En jy dans voor my (and you dance before me). Oral waar ek gaan (wherever I go). Dra ek 'n foto saam (I carry a photo of you). Ruik soos jou parfuum x2 (smells of your perfume)

Chorus: Al is jy ver van my (even when you are far from me). En jy dans voor my (and you dance before me). Ruik ek jou parfuum (I smell your perfume) x2

Oral waar ek gaan (wherever I go). Dra ek 'n foto saam (I carry a photo of you). Ruik soos jou parfuum (smells of your perfume) x2