1. Mus… Read Full Bio ↴Gypsy music can be classified in a combination of three ways:
1. Music played by the Roma people.
2. Music played with chest-based vocals, microtonal sounds and loose, free solos.
3. An adaptation and combination of host music.
Some question the existence of pure Gypsy music, as the style differs in different areas. The Roma people borrow characteristics of local and regional areas which they took on to new areas, so Middle Eastern Gypsy music will sound different from Finnish Gypsy music. Common traits, however, include the deep, chest-based coarse vocals and chromatic and loose solos. The wide distances have introduced a multitude of influences of Greek, Spanish, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Slavic, Romanian, German, French and Balkan musical forms.
Nantes
Beirut Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since I've seen you smile
And I'll gamble away my fright
And I'll gamble away my time
And in a year, a year or so
This will slip into the sea
Well it's been a long time, long time now
Since I've seen you smile
Nobody raise your voices
Just another night in Nantes
Nobody raise your voices
Just another night in Nantes
Oh non je t'en prie, nous ne sommes pas chez nous
Oh je t'assure que ce n'est pas grave
Non laisse moi
Mais qu'est-ce que tu as aujourd'hui?
Je sais que les hommes vous dégoûtent, vous ne pensez qu'à ça
Well it's been a long time, long time now
Since I've seen you smile
And I'll gamble away my fright
And I'll gamble away my time
And in a year, a year or so
This will slip into the sea
Well it's been a long time, long time now
Since I've seen you smile
The song "Nantes" by Beirut is a melancholy and nostalgic track about missing someone's smile. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, expressing the longing for connection and happiness: "Well it's been a long time, long time now since I've seen you smile." The singer is willing to take risks and gamble away his fears and time to rediscover that joy he remembers.
The following lines express that all things eventually pass, and in a year or so, the memories will fade away: "And in a year, a year or so, this will slip into the sea." The repetition of the opening lines serves as a reminder of what the singer wants to rediscover: that lost moment of happiness.
The lyrics then jump to a different scene, with a conversation happening. It's unclear who the singer is or what they're discussing, but they're in Nantes, France, and someone in the group is upset with men: "Je sais que les hommes vous dégoûtent, vous ne pensez qu'à ça" (I know that men disgust you, you only think about that). The scene is a reminder that life goes on and different things happen, but the longing for missing happiness remains.
Overall, the song has a lonely feeling, expressing the sadness of isolation, and the hope that the moments of happiness can be rediscovered.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's been a long time, long time now
Since I've seen you smile
And I'll gamble away my fright
And I'll gamble away my time
And in a year, a year or so
This will slip into the sea
Well it's been a long time, long time now
Since I've seen you smile
It has been a while since he last saw his loved one smile and he is willing to risk everything, including his fear and time, just to be with her. He knows that things might not work out, but he hopes they will last a year or so before they disappear like everything else in life. He still misses her smile and longs to see it again.
Nobody raise your voices
Just another night in Nantes
Nobody raise your voices
Just another night in Nantes
The person is probably trying to silence the rest of the people around him because he is in a place called Nantes where he is trying to escape from his problems, even just for one more night. He doesn't want anyone to ruin it and just wants to enjoy the moment.
Oh non je t'en prie, nous ne sommes pas chez nous
Oh je t'assure que ce n'est pas grave
Non laisse moi
Mais qu'est-ce que tu as aujourd'hui?
Je sais que les hommes vous dégoûtent, vous ne pensez qu'à ça
This part seems to be a conversation between two people. The first one is probably asking the second one to calm down or behave properly because they are not in their own place. The second person seems to be going through something and is feeling disgusted by men in general. The first person wants to help but doesn't know how.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Zach Condon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind