The Elricas - Meadowlands

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Great instrumental by The Elricas and their take on Strike Vilakazi’s “Meadowlands”, first brought to life by the voices of Nancy Jacobs and Her Sisters in 1956. The deceptively upbeat melody drew from the township jive/kwela style popular in 1950s South Africa. As Vilakazi intended, the music’s catchiness helped the message spread widely. Almost immediately, “Meadowlands” struck a chord with Black South Africans living under apartheid. It was taken up by popular artists of the day and performed in shebeens, dance halls, and protest rallies. Music historian Gwen Ansell describes “Meadowlands” as “one of the most enduring melodies in South African music,” emblematic of the growing protest music movement of the 1950s
“Meadowlands” is trilingual, with lyrics in isiZulu, seSotho, and tsotsitaal (urban street slang). On the surface, the words seem cheerful – famously including the lines: “We’re moving night and day to go to Meadowlands / We love Meadowlands”. This apparent eagerness to relocate fooled the apartheid authorities at first. Relying on a literal translation, officials mistakenly believed the song supported the government’s relocation program. In fact, Vilakazi’s lyrics were deeply ironic. The song’s chorus – “Otla utlwa makgowa are yeng ko Meadowlands” (Sesotho for “You’ll hear the whites say: Let’s go to Meadowlands”) – is answered in tsotsitaal: “Ons dak nie, ons pola hier”, meaning “We’re not going, we’re staying here”. One bureaucrat even praised Strike Vilakazi for the song and expedited his application for housing, thinking Vilakazi had written a propaganda tune. Meanwhile, the intended audience – the dispossessed residents of Sophiatown – immediately grasped the song’s true spirit of resistance. As families watched their homes bulldozed and belongings loaded onto trucks, they sang “Meadowlands” to mock the injustice and steel themselves against the pain. “Meadowlands” stands as a classic example of how oppressed people used ambiguity and humour to outwit censorship and voice dissent in covert ways
Over the years, a great many artists, bands, and ensembles have covered or performed “Meadowlands.” These range from South African jazz and pop icons to international groups who adapted the song in their own styles. Here’s a list of notable versions of “Meadowlands,” Nancy Jacobs and Her Sisters – 1956, Dorothy Masuka - 1950s, Miriam Makeba – 1964, Duo Ouro Negro (Angolan/Portuguese) – 1960, Archie Coker & The Meteors – 1962, The Tulips - 1970s, Miriam Stockley – 1979, , Spokes Mashiyane (feat. France Pilane) – 1955, Richard Jon Smith – 1988, Ratau Mike Makhalemele – 1997, Boerequanga – 1996, Moses Khumalo - 2000s, Dolly Rathebe - 2004 The Gugulethu Tenors - 2012, Nonhlanhla Kheswa & Her Martians – 2013, Mango Groove – 2016, Cape Traditional Singers & Fezeka Youth Choir – 2013, among others.

The Elricas Dance Band – sometimes stylised as “El Ricas” – emerged in the early 1960s in Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of the popular langarm (ballroom dance) music scene. They were one of the most popular dance-hall bands of their era, known for their lively instrumental renditions of jazz, pop, and Latin tunes. In 1965, the Elrica’s won a nationwide “Battle of the Bands” competition, boosting their fame on the local music circuit. During the mid-1960s they became the resident dance band at the Chez Gaye nightclub in Johannesburg, regularly playing to packed crowds on weekend nights. Their reputation soon spread beyond Johannesburg, and they performed at various dance halls and nightclubs around South Africa during the 1960s and early 1970s. By the 1970s, the group’s lineup evolved, and bandleader Trevor Roskin rebranded the outfit as “Mr. Trevor Roskin and His New El-Ricas,” indicating a refreshed lineup and sound. This culminated in a 1975 album release under that name. The Elrica’s active years spanned roughly from the early 1960s into the mid-1970s, aligning with the golden age of langarm dance bands. After the mid-70s, their recording activity waned as musical tastes changed, although band members like Trevor Roskin continued to perform in the langarm circuit for years to come.

The Elricas – “Meadowlands”.
Flip side: “A Man And A Woman”.
Released on the Troubadour label, TRS-C-5039, 196?

There have been several lineup changes – no details available who actually played on this release - a list of early band members:
Trevor Roskin – Saxophone
Frank “Paw-Paws” Rutters - Saxophone
Louis “King Louie” Johnson - Piano
Percy Mooi – Piano
Herold Baxter - Piano
George Lummis – Guitar
Lionel Thomas - Guitar
Edward “Boykie” Henry - Bass
Freddie Johnson – Drums
Andre “Pele” Paul - Drums
Fakier “Beatle” Moola – Percussion
Clive Whyte - Percussion

Publisher: Meldoy Music