
#Ponmile: A Lover’s Passionate Plea
It begins solemnly; a solemnity that will persist throughout the entire nearly 4 minutes of the song, and will set the tone for what, in my opinion, would be a song for the ages; a classic that will stand the test of time, and will comfortably hold its own amongst other Nigerian classics.
From the syncopation, to the rhythm of the guitar that adds a soothing, yet introspective feel to the brilliantly arranged song, to the incredibly deep, passion-filled lyrics, to the sensational ad-libs, and the production as a whole - including the video, shot by the young mastermind or national acclaim; the erudite Clarence Peters, you cannot but observe that Remilekun Safaru, aka Reminisce, outdid himself on this song.
Reaching deep into a recess that not many will know exist, even those close to him, brilliantly invited and urged on by another Jospo masterpiece, Reminisce breaks glass ceilings on this song and boldy faces and addresses a societal issue that not many Nigeria artistes would embrace.
At a time when the Nigerian music industry is saturated with so many songs that sound the same, and with near-ridiculous lyrics that leave the listeners befuddled, Reminisce draws a clear line that links talent, hard work and responsibility, while discussing an all important issue that affects many a family, especially in Africa, South of the Sahara.
The moment you hit 'play’, the synergy between the artiste and the producer is obvious, from the jump; the melody drifting in your ears that forces you to pay attention to the lyrics and general direction of the song, is like the metaphorical Bread and Ẹ̀wà Àgọ̀nyìn - delicious! The guitar piece that ushers in the first verse could only have been put together by such a master of the instrument as the very talented Femi Leye. The song opens with a very passionate plea, from a lover to his partner -
"Mo lè torí ẹ wẹ̀ l’ókun o,
Mo lè torí ẹ wẹ̀ l’ọ́sà",
Mo lè torí ẹ lọ g’òpó, òpó iná,
k’omo aráyé kí mi ní well done sir"
Literally meaning "I could jump in the ocean and the lagoon because of (my love for) you".
This would be the take-off point for the entire song, which is a passionate plea from one lover to his partner, urging her to remember the depth of their love, and not toy with his heart.
"Pọ́n mi lé" literally translates into "Honour me", and this is the theme of this song, which is one lover earnestly beseeching his partner: “Remember our love, the things we have been through, the mountains we have climbed and the streams we have crossed, and not throw it all away because of a passing phase of disillusionment.”
In the verse, in a spent, dejected and despondent tone typical of a person in the thick of heartbreak, the lover beseeches his partner to be upfront and tell him straight up if their love is over, rather than sneak around with other men and have him go through the embarrassment of finding out from other sources, even as he expresses his deepest fears that this might actually be happening, and the helpless feeling of a lost, disoriented man who is losing the love of his life, despite his very best efforts:
"n’se l’àyà mi ń já, but you have no idea ó,
Ìwọ ni àníyàn mi gan gan."
The second verse follows the same trajectory, only now, he seems to be getting more comfortable with the reality that she is gone for good, while still holding on the tiniest flicker of hope that perhaps, there is still one flame left of the fire of love that once burned in her heart for him.
The song closes with thinly veiled passionate pleas for one last chance, brilliantly hidden in questions:
"so ma bá mi gbé’lé, when things no pure,
Would you be my umbrella, when rain dey fall,
If you no go dey there o jé tètè sọ,
Kí n má lọ para mi sí ẹ lọ́run."
Brilliant song, even more brilliant delivery; the ad libs would be many people’s favorite part, as it gives the song the smoothness and fill that it deserves, while also highlighting many of the key issues and words in the song.
Everything about this song is perfect, including the video; no one could have interpreted the role better than superstar actor and the National acclaimed Nigerian King of memes; Odunlade Adekola, and fast rising multi-talented actress, Lota Chukwu.
The song, as perfectly interpreted by the video, brilliantly touches on the all important theme of love, and its attendant values of loyalty and trust; sometimes the cause of despondency and helplessness, which too many times are the biggest causes of domestic violence, and other crimes of passion.
With this song, Remilekun displays his versatility, a quality that has seen him thrive and exist for many years as one of the biggest acts in Nigeria, while also lending a voice to the increasing cases of domestic violence currently bedeviling Nigeria as a country, and cases of which many organizations and even the government are trying very hard to reduce.
If many of his peers would also take a break from time to time, and lend their voices in their circles of influence to these issues, perhaps the society at large would be the better for it.
Perhaps.
