Gimme Hope Jo'anna


"Gimme Hope Jo'anna" is an anti-apartheid song written and originally released by Eddy Grant in 1988, during the apartheid era in South Africa. The song was banned by the South African government when it was released, but was widely played in South Africa nonetheless. It reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Grant's first top 10 hit for more than five years.

Lyrics

"Jo'anna" is a reference to Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa. "The Archbishop who's a peaceful man" is a reference to Desmond Tutu, the first black South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town who received the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his fight against apartheid.

Track listings

7" single
  1. "Gimme Hope Jo'Anna" – 3:47
  2. "Say Hello to Fidel" – 4:41
12" maxi
  1. "Gimme Hope Jo'Anna"
  2. "Say Hello to Fidel"
  3. "Living on the Frontline"

    Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Use

used a parody of the song to re-launch their yogurt drink in 2004 re-working the lyrics to "Give me Yop me mamma"