On My Playlist: Top 5 The Parlotones Songs

The Parlotones are one of South Africa’s most well-known rock acts. The quartet of Kahn Morbee (vocals and rhythm guitar), Paul Hodgson (lead guitar), Glenn Hodgson (bass guitar, keyboards) and Neil Pauw (drums) has toured the world with their music and has changed the lives of many through its publicity and philanthropic work.
5. Life Design
The drumbeat, the guitar riff, the pulsating bass – each one of these elements make Life Design the great song that it is. Kahn’s distinct lyrics of positivity and living life to the fullest make this one of my favourite songs. The chorus gets you hooked every time, as well as the powerful bridge: “We drink we drink we drink from the cup of life.” This really is a memorable song where everything good about The Parlotones gets put into one great piece of inspiring music.
4. Over-exposed
The song opens with a growl from Kahn before he segues into the opening verse of “This could be the end of the system, this could be the end of fashion.
This could be the end of who the hell cares, this is my life.” This is also one of the first songs where Kahn’s use of alliteration in his lyrics really comes to the fore: “I shiver, shake shudder and make my mistakes.” Once again Parlotones bring their a-game in the chorus with great sig along lyrics of “Over-overexposed, I’ve seen too much.” Summarised, this is a great song on today’s society, where exposure is maximised on various levels.
3. Bird in Flight
This one of the great Parlotones’ songs, mainly because of the song structure that builds up to a brilliant and memorable chorus. “Love is like a bird in flight,” sings Kahn and this is something that we can all understand. Love should be something free and spontaneous – there should be no hate, no holding on to bad things, let love in flight and great things will happen. This is a fantastic song and a staple of most Parlotones sets.
2. I’ll be There
A love song to rival all love songs. The piano centred song focuses on everlasting and enduring love and is something that anyone can relate to.
“Even if you are rich, even if you are poor, every breath you breathe, I’ll be there for you.” A timeless local classic that will forever stand the test of time. One of my all-time favourite ballads.
1. Colourful
This is the song that made Parlotones the band that they are today.
This is the song that long-time fans and even casual ones will know by heart. Karen Zoid also performed this song with Kahn on an episode of Die Republiek van Zoid Afrika, which was really well received. The song looks at romance and a man’s desperate attempt to impress the woman he has a crush on.
The struggles of speaking to this woman and his flaws make this song relatable to most men who lay their eyes on a beautiful woman: “I get so nervous I stutter, stutter. I get so clumsy I fumble.” In the end, he realises that he is unique and still colourful. A great song that also looks at finding identity.