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.
De Bien Jolies Flammes
Étienne Daho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Orange indigo dans tes yeux cernés, l'incendie
C'est le triomphe des cerveaux rétrécis
Sur les trottoirs fous de la haine, l'ennemi
Les sirènes hurlent, les balles sifflent, trop de bruits
Mais nos sanglots couvrent les cris
De biens jolies flammes, assombrissent minuit
Ta plainte restera muette cette nuit
Migraineuse affolée nerveuse et trahie
Les sirènes hurlent les balles sifflent à l'infini
Pour nous défendre, j'suis bien trop p'tit
La mort ce soir frappera aveugle et sans merci
Pour tout comprendre, j'suis bien trop p'tit
Une Bien Jolie Flamme, mon astre de minuit
Lumière Lucie auteur de mes jours, de ma nuit
Auteur de mes jours, de ma nuit
In the song "De biens jolies flammes" by Étienne Daho, the lyrics refer to a chaotic and violent scene, where pretty flames spread in the middle of the night, but they are the result of the small-minded people triumphing over the streets filled with hate and enemies. Among the noise of sirens and bullets, the singer and his loved one are left feeling helpless and small against the wave of destruction surrounding them. The lyrics suggest that they are unable to understand why such violence is happening, and it feels like it will never end.
The song has a melancholic tone and an underlying sense of despair. It speaks to the helplessness and fear that people experience during times of conflict and violence. The singer is unable to protect his loved one, and it seems that there is no hope for any resolution or understanding. The reference to "Lucie", the author of his days and his nights, adds to the sense of loss and longing for a more peaceful world.
Line by Line Meaning
De biens jolies flammes éclaboussent minuit
Beautiful flames splash around midnight
Orange indigo dans tes yeux cernés, l'incendie
Orange-indigo in your shadowed eyes, the fire
C'est le triomphe des cerveaux rétrécis
It's the triumph of narrow minds
Sur les trottoirs fous de la haine, l'ennemi
On the sidewalks crazy with hate, the enemy
Les sirènes hurlent, les balles sifflent, trop de bruits
Sirens wail, bullets whistle, too much noise
Mais nos sanglots couvrent les cris
But our sobs drown out the screams
De biens jolies flammes, assombrissent minuit
Beautiful flames darken midnight
Ta plainte restera muette cette nuit
Your complaint will remain silent tonight
Mon oriflamme, ma vaillante chérie
My battle flag, my valiant darling
Migraineuse affolée nerveuse et trahie
Migraine-ridden, panicked, nervous and betrayed
Les sirènes hurlent les balles sifflent à l'infini
Sirens wail, bullets whistle ad infinitum
Pour nous défendre, j'suis bien trop p'tit
To defend us, I'm way too small
La mort ce soir frappera aveugle et sans merci
Death will strike blindly and mercilessly tonight
Pour tout comprendre, j'suis bien trop p'tit
To understand everything, I'm way too small
Une Bien Jolie Flamme, mon astre de minuit
A Beautiful Flame, my midnight star
Lumière Lucie auteur de mes jours, de ma nuit
Light Lucie, author of my days, and my night
Auteur de mes jours, de ma nuit
Author of my days, and my night
Writer(s): Arnold Turboust, Etienne Daho Copyright: Satori Songs
Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.