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.
Jack Tu N'es Pas Un Ange
Étienne Daho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Les marins boivent sans souci
Le port est à deux pas d'ici
Les marins boivent sans souci
(Jack, Jack, Jack)
Mais un drame se trame
Car un homme sans âme
Voudrait bien vous faire tâter d'son arme
Dans ce quartier louche, mal famé
Où se cachent des loups affamés
Dans ce quartier louche, mal famé
Où se cachent des loups affamés
(Jack, Jack, Jack)
Une fille blanche et grasse
À l'ombre d'une impasse
Brave pour quelques passes
Le danger qui rôde et qui la glace
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
You're looking high, you're looking rude
You're looking high, you're looking rude
You're looking high, you're looking rude
You're looking high, you're looking rude
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, pas de chance, Jack la repère
Et l'empoigne d'une main de fer
Pas de chance, Jack la repère
Et l'empoigne d'une main de fer
(Jack, Jack, Jack)
Elle cède sous la force
De ses assauts féroces
Implorant la clémence
Tandis qu'il la rosse avec démence
Sorti tout droit de l'enfer
Ce monstre légendaire
Fera la une des colonnes
Une fois de plus, l'éventreur déconne
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
These lyrics are from the song "Jack Tu N'es Pas Un Ange" by Étienne Daho. The song tells a story set in a port district where sailors drink without worries. However, there is an ominous presence in the neighborhood. It warns a lady to hide because a soulless man wants to threaten her at gunpoint. The neighborhood is described as shady and filled with famished wolves. In this dangerous place, a girl, described as overweight and white, seeks refuge in a dark alley, offering herself for money. The danger lurking around freezes her.
The song highlights the character of Jack, who is portrayed as not being kind. The repetition of the line "Jack, tu n'es pas gentil" emphasizes this. The lyrics suggest that Jack spots the girl and grabs her forcefully. She gives in to his aggressive advances, pleading for mercy while enduring a violent beating. The song compares Jack to a legendary monster straight from hell, who will once again make headlines as the "ripper" messes up again.
Overall, the lyrics paint a dark and unsettling picture of a dangerous neighborhood where exploitation and violence prevail. It serves as a commentary on the vulnerability of individuals in such environments and the cruelty of certain individuals.
Line by Line Meaning
Le port est à deux pas d'ici
The harbor is only a few steps away from here
Les marins boivent sans souci
The sailors drink without a care
Mais un drame se trame
But a tragedy is unfolding
Cachez-vous, brave dame
Hide yourself, brave lady
Car un homme sans âme
Because a soulless man
Voudrait bien vous faire tâter d'son arme
Would like to make you feel his weapon
Dans ce quartier louche, mal famé
In this shady, disreputable neighborhood
Où se cachent des loups affamés
Where hungry wolves hide
Une fille blanche et grasse
A pale and plump girl
À l'ombre d'une impasse
In the shadow of a dead-end street
Brave pour quelques passes
Brave for a few transactions
Le danger qui rôde et qui la glace
The danger lurking and chilling her
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, you are not nice
You're looking high, you're looking rude
You appear high, you appear rude
Hmm, pas de chance, Jack la repère
Hmm, no luck, Jack spots her
Et l'empoigne d'une main de fer
And grabs her with an iron hand
Elle cède sous la force
She yields to the force
De ses assauts féroces
Of his fierce attacks
Implorant la clémence
Imploring for mercy
Tandis qu'il la rosse avec démence
While he beats her wildly
Sorti tout droit de l'enfer
Straight out of hell
Ce monstre légendaire
This legendary monster
Fera la une des colonnes
Will make the headlines
Une fois de plus, l'éventreur déconne
Once again, the ripper messes up
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, you are not nice
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, you are not nice
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, you are not nice
Hmm, Jack, tu n'es pas gentil
Hmm, Jack, you are not nice
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Etienne Daho
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind