Étienne Daho (born January 14, 1956 in Oran, Algeria) is a French singer-so… Read Full Bio ↴Étienne Daho (born January 14, 1956 in Oran, Algeria) is a French singer-songwriter and musician. Since the early 1980s, he has had an extensive and successful career in the French-speaking world, with a synth-driven and rock-influenced pop sound. He is known for his low, whispery singing style, similar to Leonard Cohen and Benjamin Biolay, and for his innovative and creative music videos. His main influence is Francoise Hardy.

Daho is best known in Britain for his appearence on the number 11 Saint Etienne hit single "He's On The Phone", which is an English-language adaptation of his 1984 French-language hit "Weekend à Rome". He also collaborated with Saint Etienne on the Resurrection EP, his album Eden, and his single "Le Premier Jour", itself based on the track "Ready or Not" from Sarah Cracknell's 1997 solo album "Lipslide".

He has worked with many other artists, such as Chris Isaak, Marianne Faithfull, Elli Medeiros, Astrud Gilberto, Vanessa Daou, the Swingle Singers, and more. His duet with Charlotte Gainsbourg, titled "If", was released in 2004.

His 1996 album Eden featured a mix of electronic-oriented songs, ranging from downtempo ballads to drum 'n' bass-influenced tracks, and HiNRG dance. Corps & armes (2000) saw Daho return to a more orchestral sound fuelled by traditional instruments, such as piano, acoustic guitar, and horns. In 2004, he released Réévolution, which featured a guitar-heavy rock sound.

In 2012, he produced and composed songs for French comedian/singer Lou Doillon for her first album Places.

Étienne Daho is one of the most influential French pop singers of the last four decades. His extensive work has seen him collaborate with many artists, and explore a wide range of musical styles.

Arnold Layne
Étienne Daho Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Arnold Layne had a strange hobby collecting clothes
Moonshine washing line, they suit him fine
On the wall hung a tall mirror distorted view
See through baby blue he dug it
Oh Arnold Layne, it's not the same
Takes two to know, two to know
Two to know, two to know
Why can't you see

Arnold Layne Arnold Layne, don't do it again

Now he's caught a nasty sort of person
They gave him time doors clang chain gang he hates it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Étienne Daho's song Arnold Layne describe the bizarre and unsettling pastime of the titular character. Arnold Layne collects clothes, particularly those found on a washing line that suits his tastes. He also has a tall mirror on his wall that distorts reflections, and he enjoys looking through it. The lyrics suggest that Arnold's behavior is strange and perhaps even dangerous. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "takes two to know" four times, indicating that Arnold's behavior is known to others and possibly shared by some.

The second half of the song takes a darker turn. Arnold Layne is caught doing something wrong and is sent to jail. The lyrics don't specify what he did, but it's clear that he hates being behind bars. The song ends with a plea from the singer to Arnold to avoid repeating his mistake.

Overall, the lyrics to Arnold Layne paint a picture of an eccentric and possibly disturbed person whose actions eventually catch up with him. The song is full of intriguing imagery and leaves much open to interpretation.

Line by Line Meaning

Arnold Layne had a strange hobby collecting clothes
Arnold Layne was fascinated with collecting clothes, which is unusual.

Moonshine washing line, they suit him fine
Arnold Layne was particular about the type of washing line he used to dry his clothes and preferred a homemade solution.

On the wall hung a tall mirror distorted view
Arnold Layne had a mirror hanging on his wall, but it was distorted, so the reflection was not entirely accurate.

See through baby blue he dug it
Arnold Layne had a fascination for transparent or translucent objects, and he liked the blue tint of some of his items.

Oh Arnold Layne, it's not the same
Arnold Layne is not the same person he used to be, and something has changed.

Takes two to know, two to know Two to know, two to know Why can't you see
It requires two people who understand each other to know and empathize. Why can't Arnold Layne understand or empathize with others?

Arnold Layne Arnold Layne, don't do it again
Arnold Layne did something wrong, and he is being warned not to repeat it

Now he's caught a nasty sort of person They gave him time doors clang chain gang he hates it
Arnold Layne has been caught by the authorities and is now serving time in prison. He is not adjusting well to life behind bars.

Contributed by Adeline J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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