‘Akela’ by Sono Lem and Longmey Lyrics Explained: From Lonely Nights to a Fighter’s Spirit
“Akela,” the collaborative track featuring Sono Lem and Longmey, is a song that dives deep into the raw feelings of loneliness (as “Akela” means “Alone”) and the tough journey of dealing with past hurts while trying to find hope and a sense of purpose. The song cleverly presents two different, yet connected, experiences of solitude. Longmey’s parts paint a touching picture of someone feeling very alone, surrounded by memories and unspoken sadness, quietly wishing for someone to listen.
In sharp contrast, Sono Lem’s sections, filled with a raw, street-smart honesty, tell a story of having been left out, facing the harsh reality of how relationships can change, and feeling disillusioned. However, Sono Lem’s story doesn’t end in despair. It powerfully shifts towards a strong decision to learn from past mistakes, to use music as a true way to tell his story, and to work hard for a better future. He aims to be like a “new morning for the darkness,” driven by big dreams and a desire to rise above challenges, even if the path there is a solitary one. The song seems very current, with Sono Lem even mentioning the year 2025 in his reflections on moving on from the past.
Echoes of Solitude: Longmey’s Portrait of Loneliness
The song often opens or returns to Longmey’s gentle and sad expressions of being alone. He describes moments of being by himself, sometimes even crying in solitude. Memories of someone special come back to him, and in these lonely times, he finds himself talking to himself. This creates a picture of someone who is deeply introspective, perhaps processing grief or longing.
He speaks of his loneliness as a constant companion, a feeling that stays with him. He uses the image of moonlight (“chaandni”) hidden behind clouds to perhaps symbolize hidden sorrows, unspoken feelings, or hopes that are currently out of sight. There’s a strong feeling that he has many things in his heart that he was never able to say out loud, and he wonders if anyone would truly listen if he were to share them now. This part of the song really captures the quiet ache of someone wishing for connection and understanding.
Lessons from a Hard Knock Life: Sono Lem’s Reality Check
Sono Lem’s verses bring a different energy, a more direct and somewhat gritty recounting of life’s tough lessons. He talks about being “left out” in the past, with years having gone by since then, leading him to see life through a changed lens. He touches upon the painful truth of how relationships can shift, especially when money is a factor, and a general feeling that the current times or situations (“mausam”) are not clear or favorable.
He expresses a sense of not being particularly special to anyone anymore and a desire, especially now in 2025, to leave old issues behind. This leads to a significant decision: he doesn’t want to live stuck in the past, suggesting that this song, or this phase of expressing past pain, might be a final chapter for him in that regard. Even when he talks about love, he admits that while the feeling might exist, it’s not the same as it was before, indicating a change or a loss of its original intensity.
From Pain to Pen: Music as Truth and a Path Forward
A very powerful theme in Sono Lem’s contribution is how he turns his difficult experiences into lessons and creative expression. He acknowledges that people make mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from them. He describes a process where these mistakes are written down, perhaps in his songs, and they become valuable life lessons (“sabak”), ensuring that the same errors are not repeated.
He emphasizes that when he writes songs, he’s sharing his real story; these are not just clever rap lines (“baars”) for show, but words and feelings released directly from his heart. He speaks of his pen as a witness to all the pain (“dard”) and wounds (“zakhm”) he has endured. This honesty leads him to question the pursuit of fame, especially the kind that might require “selling oneself.” Instead, he declares that the true purpose or intention (“iraada”) behind his music, his “pen,” is to become like a new morning (“savera”) for the existing darkness (“andhere”) – to bring light, hope, or change.
Striving for the Sky: The Resolve to Overcome and Inspire
Sono Lem’s verses are filled with a strong determination to rise above his circumstances and achieve his dreams. He makes it clear that his focus is on hard work, on putting in the effort that makes one sweat (“Mehnat karoon paseeno mein”), rather than getting distracted by superficial attractions (“haseeno mein nahi” – not with beauties). He talks about making bold moves, perhaps like “throwing money in casinos” (a metaphor for taking big, calculated risks for significant rewards, or investing in what truly matters to him), and not wasting his resources or energy on worthless people or pursuits (“kameenon mein nahi”).
He dismisses those who might try to bring him down with negativity or criticism (“dish” – diss tracks/insults), especially those who aren’t willing to work hard themselves but just complain or blame others. He states he doesn’t waste time on such “characters” (“namoonon”). His dream (“sapna”) is to aim high, not to get caught up in shortcomings or settle for less (“kamiyon ko nahi choona”). He wants to reach for the sky (“Mujhe sky chhoona”), not remain grounded. He ends with a confident assertion that his dream will be fulfilled one day.
The Departing “Kali”: What Leaves When Loneliness Lingers?
A recurring and somewhat mysterious phrase in the song is “Kali chali, gully chali.” “Gully chali” suggests a street or lane is now empty or gone. “Kali chali” could mean different things: “kali” can refer to a bud (symbolizing something young or a beginning that’s gone), darkness/gloom, or colloquially, a girl (especially since “shawty” is mentioned earlier by Sono Lem).
If “kali” refers to a person leaving, it would add to the theme of loneliness and changing relationships. If it means darkness or gloom departing from his room or his life, it aligns perfectly with Sono Lem’s resolve to be a “new morning for the darkness.” It could symbolize the end of a painful phase, something or someone significant moving out of his immediate life, leaving behind a changed landscape, whether that change brings more solitude for Longmey or a clearer path for Sono Lem’s new beginning.
“Akela” is a powerful blend of heartfelt sorrow and gritty determination. It acknowledges the depths of loneliness while also showcasing the strength of the human spirit to learn, grow, and strive for a brighter future, using past pain as fuel for a purposeful journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about “Akela”
Q1: What is the overall meaning of the song “Akela”?
A: “Akela” (meaning “Alone”) explores the feelings of loneliness, introspection, and dealing with past hurts. It features two perspectives: Longmey expresses the deep sadness and quiet longing of solitude, while Sono Lem recounts past disillusionments but then shows a strong resolve to learn from mistakes, use his music for truth, and work hard for a better, purposeful future.
Q2: What are the different feelings expressed by Longmey and Sono Lem in the song?
A: Longmey expresses feelings of being alone, sadness (crying alone), being filled with memories, talking to himself, and having unspoken sorrows he wishes someone would hear. Sono Lem expresses feelings of being left out in the past, disappointment with how relationships change (especially with money), but then shifts to determination, learning from errors, a desire for authentic expression, high ambition, and hope for the future.
Q3: What does the recurring phrase “Kali chali, gully chali” likely mean in the song?
A: “Gully chali” means the lane/street is gone or empty. “Kali chali” could mean a few things: “kali” can be a flower bud (something that’s left before blooming), darkness/gloom, or a girl. So, it could mean a relationship has ended and the girl (“kali” or “shawty”) has left, or it could symbolize that a period of darkness or sadness (“kali”) is departing from the singer’s room or life, indicating a new phase.
Q4: Can you explain Sono Lem’s lines about learning from mistakes: “Karte galti aur usi se toh seekhte hain…”?
A: These lines mean: “We make mistakes, and that’s how we learn; then we write those mistakes on pages (perhaps in songs or journals); then that mistake becomes our lesson; and then we don’t make that mistake again.” It shows a mature approach to personal growth, where errors are not just regrets but valuable experiences that teach important lessons for the future.
Q5: What is Sono Lem trying to say with “Is kalam ko chalaane ka bas ek hi yeh iraada, Ban jaaun main savera yeh andhere ke liye”?
A: This translates to “The only intention/purpose of wielding this pen is for me to become the dawn for this darkness.” Sono Lem is saying that his aim in making music (using his “kalam” or pen) is not just for fame or personal gain, but to bring hope, light (“savera” – dawn), and positive change to situations or people stuck in negativity or hardship (“andhere” – darkness). It’s a statement of artistic purpose and social responsibility.
Q6: What does Sono Lem mean by “Mehnat karoon paseeno mein, haseeno mein nahi, Main Gandhi feku casinos mein, kameenon mein nahi”?
A: “Mehnat karoon paseeno mein, haseenon mein nahi” means “I work hard, in sweat (through effort), not by chasing beauties/superficial pleasures.” “Main Gandhi feku casinos mein, kameenon mein nahi” means “I throw Gandhi (money/resources) in casinos, not on scoundrels/worthless people.” While “casinos” can imply gambling, in this context, it could metaphorically mean he invests his hard-earned resources in high-risk, high-reward ventures that he believes in, or spends significantly on things he deems worthy, rather than wasting time or money on negative influences or people who don’t deserve it. It emphasizes a focused and purposeful use of his energy and resources.
Q7: Who are the artists behind “Akela”?
A: “Akela” is a collaborative track by Sono Lem and Longmey. The specific prompt does not mention a producer or if it’s from an album/movie, but it highlights these two artists as the main performers.