Martelly currently serves as President of Haiti after winning the presidential election in 2011.
Martelly is more popularly and affectionately known as “Sweet Micky,” a moniker sometimes used interchangeably to refer to himself as well as his band (with original members, guitar player Alex Tropnas and bass player Welton Desire).
Michel Martelly has been heralded as a pioneer of a unique brand of kompas music, a style of Haitian dance music sung in Haitian Creole language. Originally, compas was a fusion of Afrolatin jazz and African/Haitian folkoric rhythms, and was traditionally played by large bands composed of numerous group members and instrument sections. Martelly, a keyboardist and the self-proclaimed “bad boy” President of Compas, popularized a nouvelle generation, or “new generation” style, of smaller bands with few members that relied predominantly on synthesizers and electronic instruments to reproduce a fuller sound. Martelly’s and Sweet Micky’s live performances and recordings are sometimes laced with obscenities and humorous sociopolitical commentary by Martelly. Outlandish and outspoken, Martelly has been known to drink publicly while performing in wigs, costumes, diapers, and Scottish kilts, and occasionally removed his own attire while performing. While arguably the most recognized and applauded musician and public personality in Haiti, Martelly’s performance style has sometimes ignited controversy throughout the Haitian diaspora.
I Don't Care
Sweet Micky Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Year: 1994
Lyrics by: Michel Martelly
Men pou kisa tout bagay sa devan garaj la mesye?
Parking machin yo byen. Twòp aksidan...
Sa k′ap pase nou la a? Oh oh!
Kite konpa a mache...
Men se nou menm ki rive, chak swa nou frape
Lè n'ap jwe se konsa moun yo mande n
Se konsa nou ye
Epi mwen di:
Sa k pa kontan, anbake
Kite konpa a mache
Say... e se konsa nou rive, chak swa
Mache
Vire, vire l
Balanse la
Chofe
Karese la
Men nou men nou men nou
Say...
Men se...
Kite konpa a mache
Konpa sa a s′on bagay serye
Kite konpa a mache
Se konsa fanatik yo vle l
Kite konpa a mache
Kalito se sa l deside
Kite konpa a mache
Se konsa moun yo te mande l
Kite konpa a mache
Se konsa fana...
Epi sa k pa kontan, anbake
Kite konpa konpa mache
Mache la
Wi pitit
Mennen konpa
Mache
Kite konpa a mache
Fanatik yo se sa yo vle
Kite konpa a mache
Se konsa moun yo vle tande l
Kite konpa a mache
Mwen di
Sa k pa kontan, anbake
Kanpe djaz la
Fanatik Micky, fanatik Micky yo, djazz la chaje pwoblèm
Nou chaje pwoblèm.
Se pa pwoblèm fanatik. Nou chaje fanatik.
Vire gad dèyè nou n'ap wè sa k'ap pase.
Se pa pwoblèm pouvwa.
Nou fè sa nou vle nan ti peyi sa a.
Peyi a... le pays nous appartient. Voilà le problème de ce pays.
Se pa pwoblèm lajan. Lè w parèt nan lakou djaz sa a he he hey
Ou wè tèt bèf - Ohhh
Ou wè Acura - Ohhh
BMW - Ohhh
Pathfinder - Ohhh
Nissan Patrol - Ohhh
Isuzu Trooper - Ohhh
Ou wè Canter - Ohhh
Li bwote duri – Ohhhh
Ha ha ha ha ha
Se pa pwoblèm lajan n genyen
M′ap di nou sa
Se konprann nou pa ka konprann
Se konprann n′ap chèche konprann
Se konprann n'ap eseye konprann pou kisa yo rayi djaz la konsa
Yo di Bondye konn bay li pa konn separe
Yo wè 3 bèl ti mesye k′ap mennen, yo ran Bondye responsab
Si nou kwaze avè yo, bò La Commune o
N'ap gade yo, n′ap tchwipe
Si nou kwaze piti yo Rue St. Honoré woy
N'ap gade yo, n′ap tchwipe
Men si n kwaze avèk yo bò Bicentenaire, sa n'ap fè tenten yo?
N'ap n′ap n′ap n'ap dekale yo
N′ap n'ap n′ap n'ap mete baton
Se pa entèresant n′ap fè, se sovaj nou sovaj
Sovaj o, Micky sovaj o (Se konsa nou ye)
Lè y'atake nou pi sovaj (Sovaj nou ye)
Sovaj o, Micky sovaj o (Se sa nou ye)
Lè y'atake nou pi sovaj
Sova sova sova...
Mwen di tout tan: Sa′k pa kontan, anbake
Sa′k pa kontan, anbake
Ede m chante tout moun, ale la a
If you try to blow my mind, I don't care
Fanatik yo do you care? – I don′t care
Say I don't care – I don′t care
I don't give a damn – I don′t care
Ki te mele dada m – I don't care
I don't give a shit – I don′t care
Konpa m ap tonbe – I don′t care
Fanatik yo renmen m – I don't care
Mwen s′on bèl gason – I don't care
Mwen multi-milyonèrrr – I don′t care
Say I don't care – I don′t care
I don't give a damn – I don't care
Ki te mele dada m – I don′t care
Atansyon, atansyon atan...
Sa′k pa kontan, anbake
Atansyon ...atansyon
Du bon compas
Ou la la, que c'est bon
Sa se kinan m tande
Ou la la, oui que c′est bon
Chavire konpa a pou moun yo f'on ploge non monchè
Fè m byen jwe non tonton
Ha ha ha... tigi dim tigi dim
Fann nan kann nan, se koupe nan bannann nan
Shake the boom boom, sweet chocolate
He he...
Ou la la, que c′est bon
Wi pitit vire vire vire
Pran... yo pran
Yo pran
Ou.Jezu Jezu, oh la la
Sa a s'on konpa chiktay
Nan tout fèt, se konpa chiktay ki tonbe papa
Say I don′t care – I don't care
I don't give a damn – I don′t care
Ki te mele dada m – I don′t care
Don't give a shit – I don′t care
Say do you care? – I don't care
An han... voup tou bou doup tou bou doup
Ale dodo
Ha ha
The lyrics to Michel Martelly's "I Don't Care" is a brilliant representation of his modus operandi as an artiste. The song depicts a Konpa band about to perform in front of a garage with congested traffic. In typical Martelly's style, he implores the band to bring on the beat, and let the music flow, an approach he religiously employs in many of his songs. The phrase "Kite konpa a mache," which means "let the Konpa walk" in English, is repeated several times throughout the song, signifying Martelly's intention to keep the party going. He affirms the fact that, whatever adversities they face, nothing should impede them from playing their music and providing a good time.
Martelly's "I Don't Care" is an ode to the Konpa genre, which has had a significant influence on the musical culture of Haiti. The lyrics are a potent reminder of the importance of music in the country, its people, and its history. Through its catchy rhythm and the simplicity of the lyrics, the song unifies the people and caters to the needs of the audience, where he encourages them to dance and enjoy themselves.
In conclusion, Martelly's "I Don't Care" is a classic Konpa hit that has stood the test of time. The song's lyrics are simple, with clear and concise messages about the importance of music and how it affects people's lives. Michel Martelly's use of the repetitive phrase "Kite konpa a mache" reinforces the song's central message, urging people to let the music take control and provide an escape for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Men pou kisa tout bagay sa devan garaj la mesye?
Why are all these things in front of the garage, sir?
Parking machin yo byen. Twòp aksidan...
The cars are parked well. Too many accidents...
Sa k′ap pase nou la a? Oh oh!
What is happening here? Oh oh!
Kite konpa a mache...
Let the konpa play...
Men se nou menm ki rive, chak swa nou frape
But it's us who arrive, every evening we hit
Lè n'ap jwe se konsa moun yo mande n
When we play, that's how people ask us
Se konsa nou ye
That's how we are
Epi mwen di: Sa k pa kontan, anbake
And I say: Those who are not happy, step back
Say... e se konsa nou rive, chak swa
Say... and that's how we arrive, every evening
Mache
Walk
Vire, vire l
Turn, turn it
Balanse la
Swing it
Chofe
Drive
Karese la
Caress it
Men nou men nou men nou
But we, we, we
Men se...
But it's...
Konpa sa a s′on bagay serye
This konpa is a serious thing
Kite konpa a mache
Let the konpa play
Se konsa fanatik yo vle l
That's how the fans want it
Kalito se sa l deside
Kalito, that's what he decided
Kite konpa a mache
Let the konpa play
Se konsa moun yo te mande l
That's how people asked for it
Kite konpa a mache
Let the konpa play
Se konsa fana...
That's how fans...
Epi sa k pa kontan, anbake
And those who are not happy, step back
Kite konpa konpa mache
Let the konpa konpa play
Wi pitit
Yes, my child
Mennen konpa
Lead the konpa
Kite konpa a mache
Let the konpa play
Fanatik yo se sa yo vle
The fans want that
Kite konpa a mache
Let the konpa play
Se konsa moun yo vle tande l
That's how people want to hear it
Kite konpa a mache
Let the konpa play
Mwen di
I say
Sa k pa kontan, anbake
Those who are not happy, step back
Kanpe djaz la
Stand up, the jazz
Fanatik Micky, fanatik Micky yo, djazz la chaje pwoblèm
Fanatics Micky, Fanatics Micky, the jazz is full of problems
Nou chaje pwoblèm.
We have problems.
Se pa pwoblèm fanatik. Nou chaje fanatik.
It's not a problem, fanatics. We have fanatics.
Vire gad dèyè nou n'ap wè sa k'ap pase.
Turn around and see what's happening.
Se pa pwoblèm pouvwa.
It's not a problem of power.
Nou fè sa nou vle nan ti peyi sa a.
We do whatever we want in this little country.
Peyi a... le pays nous appartient. Voilà le problème de ce pays.
The country... the country belongs to us. That's the problem of this country.
Se pa pwoblèm lajan. Lè w parèt nan lakou djaz sa a he he hey
It's not a problem of money. When you appear in this jazz courtyard, he he hey
Ou wè tèt bèf - Ohhh
You see a beef head - Ohhh
Ou wè Acura - Ohhh
You see an Acura - Ohhh
BMW - Ohhh
BMW - Ohhh
Pathfinder - Ohhh
Pathfinder - Ohhh
Nissan Patrol - Ohhh
Nissan Patrol - Ohhh
Isuzu Trooper - Ohhh
Isuzu Trooper - Ohhh
Ou wè Canter - Ohhh
You see a Canter - Ohhh
Li bwote duri – Ohhhh
It carries hard stuff - Ohhhh
Ha ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha ha
Se pa pwoblèm lajan n genyen
It's not a problem of having money
M′ap di nou sa
I'm telling you
Se konprann nou pa ka konprann
It's understood that we can't understand
Se konprann n′ap chèche konprann
It's understood that we're trying to understand
Se konprann n'ap eseye konprann pou kisa yo rayi djaz la konsa
It's understood that we're trying to understand why they hate the jazz like that
Yo di Bondye konn bay li pa konn separe
They say God knows how to give but doesn't know how to separate
Yo wè 3 bèl ti mesye k′ap mennen, yo ran Bondye responsab
They see 3 beautiful young men leading, they blame God
Si nou kwaze avè yo, bò La Commune o
If we cross paths with them, on La Commune's side
N'ap gade yo, n′ap tchwipe
We'll look at them, we'll wipe them off
Si nou kwaze piti yo Rue St. Honoré woy
If we cross paths with their kids on Rue St. Honoré
N'ap gade yo, n′ap tchwipe
We'll look at them, we'll wipe them off
Men si n kwaze avèk yo bò Bicentenaire, sa n'ap fè tenten yo?
But if we cross paths with them near Bicentenaire, what will we do to them?
N'ap n′ap n′ap n'ap dekale yo
We'll move them, move them, move them, move them
N′ap n'ap n′ap n'ap mete baton
We'll put sticks, sticks, sticks, sticks
Se pa entèresant n′ap fè, se sovaj nou sovaj
We're not doing anything interesting, we're wild, we're wild
Sovaj o, Micky sovaj o (Se konsa nou ye)
Wild, oh Micky wild (That's how we are)
Lè y'atake nou pi sovaj (Sovaj nou ye)
When they attack us even more violently (We're wild)
Sova sova sova...
Wild wild wild...
Mwen di tout tan: Sa′k pa kontan, anbake
I keep saying: Those who are not happy, step back
Sa′k pa kontan, anbake
Those who are not happy, step back
Ede m chante tout moun, ale la a
Help me sing to everyone, go there
If you try to blow my mind, I don't care
If you try to blow my mind, I don't care
Fanatik yo do you care? – I don′t care
Fanatics, do you care? - I don't care
Say I don't care – I don′t care
Say I don't care - I don't care
I don't give a damn – I don′t care
I don't give a damn - I don't care
Ki te mele dada m – I don't care
Who messed with my dad - I don't care
I don't give a shit – I don′t care
I don't give a shit - I don't care
Konpa m ap tonbe – I don′t care
The konpa is falling - I don't care
Fanatik yo renmen m – I don't care
The fanatics love me - I don't care
Mwen s′on bèl gason – I don't care
I'm a handsome guy - I don't care
Mwen multi-milyonèrrr – I don′t care
I'm a multi-millionaire - I don't care
I don't give a damn – I don't care
I don't give a damn - I don't care
Ki te mele dada m – I don′t care
Who messed with my dad - I don't care
Atansyon, atansyon atan...
Attention, attention, attention...
Du bon compas
Good konpa
Ou la la, que c'est bon
Oh la la, how good it is
Sa se kinan m tande
That's what I hear
Ou la la, oui que c′est bon
Oh la la, yes, how good it is
Chavire konpa a pou moun yo f'on ploge non monchè
Capsize the konpa for people to jump in, my friend
Fè m byen jwe non tonton
Make me play well, uncle
Ha ha ha... tigi dim tigi dim
Ha ha ha... tigi dim tigi dim
Fann nan kann nan, se koupe nan bannann nan
Fan in the sugarcane, it's cut in the banana
Shake the boom boom, sweet chocolate
Shake the boom boom, sweet chocolate
He he...
He he...
Pran... yo pran
Take... they take
Yo pran
They take
Ou.Jezu Jezu, oh la la
Oh Jesus, Jesus, oh la la
Sa a s'on konpa chiktay
This is a super konpa
Nan tout fèt, se konpa chiktay ki tonbe papa
In every event, it's the super konpa that falls, man
I don′t give a damn – I don't care
I don't give a damn - I don't care
Ki te mele dada m – I don't care
Who messed with my dad - I don't care
Don't give a shit – I don′t care
Don't give a shit - I don't care
Say do you care? – I don't care
Say do you care? - I don't care
An han... voup tou bou doup tou bou doup
An han... vagrant all over the place
Ale dodo
Go to sleep
Ha ha
Ha ha
Writer(s): Raul Malo
Contributed by Jacob R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.