I Want To Know What Love Is
Lucky Dube · Taxman [1997]
Lucky Dube
I' ve got to take a little time
A little time to think things over
I' d better read between the lines
In case I need it when I' m older
This big mountain I must climb
Ohh feels like the world upon my shoulders
Through the crowds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder
In my life, there's been heartache and pain
I don' t know, if I can face it again
I can' t stop now
I' ve travelled so far
To change this lonely life
Chorus:
I want to know what love is
i know you can show me
I want to feel what love is
i know you can show me
I' m going to take a little time
A little time to look around me
I' ve got nowhere left to hide
It looks like reggae has finally found me
In my life, there's been heartache and pain
I don' t know, if I can face it again
Can' t stop now
I' ve travelled so far
To change this lonely life
Chorus:
I want to know what love is
i know you can show me
I want to feel what love is
i know you can show me
till fade
I Want To Know What Love Is
Lucky Dube's 1997 track 'I Want To Know What Love Is' stands as a defining anthem of South African township rap and hip-hop. Released on the album *Taxman*, the song blends gritty storytelling with a rhythmic flow that captures the socio-political realities of the era. Dube's delivery transforms the concept of love from a romantic ideal into a complex force intertwined with struggle, resilience, and community. The recording exemplifies the genre's ability to address hard truths while maintaining an infectious energy that resonated globally. It remains a cornerstone of his discography, illustrating how his work often merges indigenous cultural narratives with international hip-hop sensibilities to create a powerful, unifying message.