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.
Il ne dira pas
Étienne Daho Lyrics
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Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Qu'il a tué son père, sa mère, son frère, ses chats
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Que sur son passé il jette un regard las, las
Las, las
Oui, d'enfin, il ne dira pas
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Que dans les night-clubs
La nuit il fait la nouba
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Il se sent si seul qu'il passe
De bras en bras, bras, bras
Il se sent si seul qu'il passe
De bras en bras, waah
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Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Que pour cet amour il a ce désir -la
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Que dans ses bras la nuit
Il pleure tout bas, bas, bas
Que dans ses bras la nuit
Il pleure tout bas-bas
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Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
Un geste, un sourire, il n'est déjà plus là
The song "Il ne dira pas" by Étienne Daho speaks of a person who keeps secrets and does not reveal their true feelings and actions to others. The repetitive line "Il ne dira pas" (He won't say) emphasizes the character's reluctance to share his true self. The song starts off with the character's refusal to confess to killing his own family and pets, leading to the assumption that he hides a dark past. The line "Que sur son passé il jette un regard las, las" (That he looks wearily at his past) suggests that he might have regrets or guilt about his actions.
The character also keeps his nocturnal activities hidden, as he won't say that he spends his nights partying in nightclubs or that he sleeps around because of his loneliness. This reflects his desire to suppress his true feelings and maintain an image of himself that is not entirely true. The song concludes with the line "Un geste, un sourire, il n'est déjà plus là" (One gesture, one smile, he's already gone), suggesting that the character is elusive, and even if someone tries to uncover his secrets, he will have already moved on.
Line by Line Meaning
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Qu'il a tué son père, sa mère, son frère, ses chats
That he killed his father, his mother, his brother, his cats
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Que sur son passé il jette un regard las, las
That he looks back on his past with weariness
Las, las
Weariness, weariness
Pour enfin, il ne dira pas
For finally, he won't say
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Que dans les night-clubs
That in nightclubs
La nuit il fait la nouba
He parties all night long
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Il se sent si seul qu'il passe
He feels so lonely that he moves
De bras en bras, bras, bras
From one set of arms to another, arms, arms
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Que pour cet amour il a ce désir-là
That for this love he has that desire
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Que dans ses bras la nuit
That in his arms at night
Il pleure tout bas, bas, bas
He cries softly, low, low
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Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Il ne dira pas, non il ne dira pas
He won't say, no he won't say
Un geste, un sourire, il n'est déjà plus là
A gesture, a smile, he's already gone
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Thierry Alexandre, Etienne Daho
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind