She began her musical education at a French conservatory at seven years old. By age 18, she was studying Musicology at the University in Montpellier, France, and then obtained her Master in Musicology at the Sorbonne in Paris. Émilie was intrigued by the idea of combining her traditional musical education with new music technologies and studio experimentations. She developed these interests into unique skills at the cutting edge new technology music school, the IRCAM in Paris, which to this day remains the only center in the world dedicated to contemporary musical research and production, bringing science and art together in order to widen instrumentation and rejuvenate musical language.
Here she met Cyrille Brissot who she still works with today to develop and build specific instruments adapted to Émilie’s needs, both in the studio and on stage, including the “Brissot” - a breathtaking arm controller that allows her to remotely control, modulate and transform her live voice through a series of controlled effects. Émilie uses a variety of other new technology devices including Yamaha’s “Tenori-on” and a variety of other new hardware and software. Émilie uses this technology to give herself a wide range of versatility on stage, including being able to control everything – from beats to multiple instruments to vocal harmonies and modulation simultaneously while alone on stage.
Shortly after Ircam, Émilie Simon signed a record deal with Barclay/Universal France. Since then, she has written, arranged, performed and produced her two records and the original music for the French (original) version of March of the Penguins. There, Émilie used many diverse and inventive techniques including rubbing pieces of ice together to produce beats and sounds, and blended them with her electronic machinery and inviting lyrics.
Despite garnering best album honors in the electronic category at France’s
“Victoires de la Musique” Awards for her debut, and being touted as one of the most promising female artists, the Montpellier-bred chanteuse is quick to champion her independence as an artist over such acclaim. “[Awards] are nice, but it’s like a cherry on top, really,” the singer/songwriter insists. “It’s great when you have the feeling you are doing something important or that you’re understood. But it doesn’t alter the way I work in any way. I’m always thinking back on what I have done, because I don’t want to be redundant. I want to make music without rules, without anybody telling me what I have to do.”
Émilie Simon first made her mark on the U.S. in the fall of 2006 with her debut U.S. release, The Flower Book on Nov. 7, 2006. Her plush, artful soundscapes had already yielded her significant praise and awards in her French homeland, as well as acclaim across the rest of Europe and Japan. Singing in both French and English, Émilie allows her music to flow naturally, rewarding her with devoted fans worldwide. A year and a half after The Flower Book’s release, Émilie is currently residing in New York City and writing her next record. She will be performing shows in NYC this Fall to preview her new material. Having always begun the creative process in the recording studio, and then following with live performances, Émilie is trying a new approach. For the new record, she will let the songs breathe and evolve in a live environment before heading into the studio.
secret
Émilie Simon Lyrics
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Un grain de granit
Du fond de la terre
Je saurai me taire
Si tu ressuscites
Un grain de granit
Je saurai me faire petite
Si tu ressuscites
Un grain de granit
(Hum, je resterai secret)
Je saurai me faire petite
J'ai vu se dessiner une vi-père
Je voudrais lui ressembler
Accrochée à tes larges épaules pâles
(Hum, je t'ai lâché)
Si tu ressuscites
Un grain de granit
(Hum, je resterai secret)
Je saurai me faire petite
Si tu ressuscites
Un grain de granit
Du fond de la terre
Je saurai me taire
Si tu ressuscites
Un grain de granit
Je saurai me faire petite
(Hum, je t'ai lâché)
Si tu ressuscites
Un grain de granit
(Hum, je resterai secret)
Je saurai me faire petite
(Hum, je t'ai lâché)
Si tu ressuscites
Un grain de granit
(Hum, je resterai secret)
Je saurai me petite
The song "Secret" by Emilie Simon is a haunting and introspective piece that delves into the complexities of a relationship. The lyrics discuss the idea of being willing to keep secrets and remain silent in the face of someone who is capable of bringing back even the smallest of things, like a grain of granite from deep within the earth. This desire for silence is further emphasized in the repetition of the phrase "Je saurai me taire" or "I will know how to remain silent." The singer sees a viper and wishes to become it, possibly because they see it as being able to protect themselves from harm. The mention of the viper could also symbolize the dangers within the relationship, and the desire to be able to survive in the midst of any possible harm.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of fear and resignation, even as the singer professes their willingness to remain silent. The repetition of the phrase "Tout ce que je sais restera secret" or "Everything I know will remain a secret" emphasizes the idea that there is a lot that remains unspoken and unknown within this relationship. Despite this secrecy, the singer is willing to go along with it and even become small and silent if necessary.
Overall, "Secret" is a complex and emotionally charged song that delves into the idea of silence and secrecy within relationships. It portrays the fear and resignation that can come with keeping secrets, even as it acknowledges the willingness to remain silent.
Line by Line Meaning
Si tu ressuscites
If you bring back to life
Un grain de granit
A single grain of granite
Du fond de la terre
From deep within the earth
Je saurai me taire
I will know how to keep quiet
Si tu ressuscites
If you bring back to life
Un grain de granit
A single grain of granite
Je saurai me faire petite
I will know how to make myself small
J'ai vu se dessiner une vipère
I saw a viper drawing itself
Je voudrais lui ressembler
I would like to be like it
Accrochée à tes larges épaules pâles
Hanging onto your broad pale shoulders
Tout ce que je sais
Everything I know
Restera secret
Will remain a secret
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Emilie Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind