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.
L'enfer enfin
Étienne Daho Lyrics
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à l'air embrasé
ça ressemble à l'enfer, l'enfer est sur la terre
hauts les coeurs serrés, les yeux dilatés
tu vis mon amour en enfer, un enfer couleur chair
des anges doux et pervers t'incitent à t'étendre par terre
le ciel ne peut-il attendre l'hiver
un 24 décembre, beau et vide,
s'émerveille, l'enfer enfin
avant que la chance ne nous lâche
frangine au coeur bien tendre
pourras-tu entendre
les fados étranges des amis perdus
qu'on ne reverra plus
fiévreuse dans ta jupe orange
tu m'enseignes en échange la grande harmonie
unis pour la vie nous allons mourir pour renaître
mourir pour renaître
un 24 décembre, beau et vide,
petite soeur de sang aux yeux limpides
s'écrie l'enfer enfin
l'enfer enfin.
The lyrics of "L'Enfer Enfin" by Étienne Daho depict a sense of chaotic and intense emotions. The opening line, "A la tienne, à la nôtre, santé" can be translated as "To yours, to ours, cheers," suggesting a collective celebration. However, the following lines, "à l'air embrasé, ça ressemble à l'enfer, l'enfer est sur la terre" convey a feeling of a heated atmosphere that resembles hell on earth. This juxtaposition of celebration and turmoil sets the tone for the rest of the song.
The lyrics continue with phrases like "hauts les coeurs serrés, les yeux dilatés" which can be translated as "high hearts closed, dilated eyes," indicating a heightened emotional state. The singer is experiencing love in the midst of this chaotic atmosphere, describing it as an "enfer couleur chair" or a hell in flesh color. The presence of both gentle and perverse angels incites one to surrender and indulge in earthly pleasures.
The song also mentions a "24 décembre, beau et vide," or a beautiful yet empty December 24th, which may symbolize a moment of reflection or solitude amidst the chaos. The lyrics highlight a sense of longing for lost friends and the strange fados (a Portuguese music genre) they used to listen to. The singer, represented as a tender-hearted sister, teaches the singer the harmony found in this chaotic world in exchange for their friendship.
Overall, the song "L'Enfer Enfin" explores the paradoxical nature of love and human experience, often finding beauty and meaning in moments of chaos and turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
A la tienne, à la nôtre, santé
Cheers to you, to us, to health
à l'air embrasé
In the fiery air
ça ressemble à l'enfer, l'enfer est sur la terre
It resembles hell, hell is on the earth
hauts les coeurs serrés, les yeux dilatés
Hearts tightened, eyes dilated
tu vis mon amour en enfer, un enfer couleur chair
You experience my love in hell, a hell of flesh color
des anges doux et pervers t'incitent à t'étendre par terre
Sweet and perverse angels incite you to lie down on the ground
le ciel ne peut-il attendre l'hiver
Can't the sky wait for winter
un 24 décembre, beau et vide,
A beautiful and empty December 24th
petite soeur de sang extra lucide
Little sister of extra-clear blood
s'émerveille, l'enfer enfin
Marveled, hell finally
avant que la chance ne nous lâche
Before luck abandons us
frangine au coeur bien tendre
Sister with a tender heart
pourras-tu entendre
Will you be able to hear
les fados étranges des amis perdus
The strange fados of lost friends
qu'on ne reverra plus
That we will never see again
fiévreuse dans ta jupe orange
Feverish in your orange skirt
tu m'enseignes en échange la grande harmonie
You teach me in exchange the great harmony
unis pour la vie nous allons mourir pour renaître
Unified for life, we will die to be reborn
mourir pour renaître
To die to be reborn
un 24 décembre, beau et vide,
A beautiful and empty December 24th
petite soeur de sang aux yeux limpides
Little sister of clear-eyed blood
s'écrie l'enfer enfin
The hell finally exclaims
l'enfer enfin.
Hell finally.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Turboust Arnold, Daho Etienne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind