Nigeria is blessed with songs and talents. Every Nigerian loves to sing and listen to music in one way or the other.
Nigerians are reserved in the kind of music they listen to. It has to be one that has a good rhythm, catchy and easy to remember. The Nation goes memory lane to dig out songs that every Nigerian knows as much as the national anthem.is an English/Ibo song by Onyeka Onwenu, who is a singer, songwriter, actress, journalist and politician. The song met with the popular approval and appreciation, thereafter becoming a measuring standard for songs in the same genre.
Onwenu, 64, remains the only musician to have crossed pop with juju music and highlife, seamlessly combining English and local languages to deliver songs of great social value.Anyone born between the late 1980s and early 1990s can never deny hearing this epic music by Mike Okri, drumming obedience and respect for parents and elders into the ears of every kid. Every child who had music enthusiasts as parents will never forget this song.
The song suffered some persecutions, as it was turned down by EMI in 1974, citing the song’s “childish appeal.” “Sweet Mother” suffered further rejections from Decca Records and Philips Records before it was eventually released in December, 1976 by Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian recording company based in Onitsha. It has grown to be a song known by every average Nigerian.
Seun Rere