Streets Lack Love

Album: No Longer At Ease (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a track from Nigerian-German roots singer/songwriter Nneka's second album, No Longer At Ease. Nneka was born and grew up in the town of Warri in the Delta region of Nigeria and the album references experiences and observations of her native country before she relocated to Germany at the age of 18. Nneka returned to live in Nigeria in 2007.
  • On this song Nneka names and shames oil-producing companies that have caused pollution, which she says has led to the illness of many Nigerians in the Niger Delta for many years. An inspiration for the singer was Ken Saro-Wiwa, a Nigerian writer and environmental activist who campaigned against the oil companies. He was hanged in 1995 along with eight other activists on charges of "incitement to murder." The charges were widely believed to be politically motivated and unfounded.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"They're Playing My Song

Armed with a childhood spent devouring books, Mike Scott's heart was stolen by the punk rock scene of 1977. Not surprisingly, he would go on to become the most literate of rockers.

Paul Williams

Paul WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

He's a singer and an actor, but as a songwriter Paul helped make Kermit a cultured frog, turned a bank commercial into a huge hit and made love both "exciting and new" and "soft as an easy chair."