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.
La vie continuera
Étienne Daho Lyrics
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Ce n'est rien
La pluie dans les yeux
Fermer son cœur
S'en remettre à Dieu
Je fais Mea Culpa
L'amour ne suffit pas
J'ai fait ce que j'ai pu
Tu te démerdes plutôt bien
Le glam', le décor
Le goût de l'image et du confort
Tu fais Mea Culpa
Non, mais tu te fous de moi
À faire ce que tu peux
Avec ce que t'as pas
Mes prières seront exaucées
Mes pensées
Qui ne sont que griefs et rejet
Deviendront indolores
Dans le bleu des accords
Et la vie continuera
Ça ira, la mer effacera
Toute trace de combat,
Ça ira, ça ira, la vie continuera
Désaccord entre l'âme et le corps
Même si la flamme au cœur brille encore
Tu fais Mea Culpa
Aimer tu ne sais pas
T'as fait ce que t'as pu
Avec ce que t'as pas
Mes prières seront exaucées
Mes pensées
Qui ne sont que griefs et rejet
Deviendront indolores
Dans le feu des alcools
Et la vie continuera
Ça ira
La mer effacera
Toute trace de combat
Oublie moi
La vie continuera
La douleur s'évapore
Dans le bleu des accords
Et la vie continuera
Ça ira
La mer effacera
Toute trace de nos pas
J'serais plus là
La vie continuera
J'serai plus là
La vie continuera
J'serai plus là
The lyrics of Étienne Daho's "La vie continuera" speak to the theme of resilience and moving forward in life despite difficulties and pain. The song captures a sense of determination and acceptance, acknowledging the challenges faced in relationships and the world, but refusing to be defeated by them.
The opening lines, "J'me démerde, ce n'est rien, la pluie dans les yeux, fermer son cœur" (I manage, it's nothing, the rain in the eyes, closing one's heart) suggest a personal struggle, trying to cope with emotions and hardships. The phrase "s'en remettre à Dieu" (submitting to God) could be interpreted as seeking solace or surrendering control in order to find a way forward. The singer admits "l'amour ne suffit pas" (love is not enough) and expresses a sense of trying their best with what they have.
The second verse takes on a different perspective, addressing someone who seems to have their life together, with references to glamour, decoration, and comfort. However, the singer questions their sincerity and accuses them of pretending ("Non, mais tu te fous de moi") and also making the most of what they lack.
As the song progresses, there is a shift towards the idea of prayers being answered, thoughts becoming painless, and life continuing. The repetition of "Ça ira" (It will be fine) reinforces the message of resilience, as if reassuring oneself that everything will work out. The lyrics suggest that in the blue chords (symbolizing harmony), the pain will evaporate and life will carry on, even if the flame in the heart still flickers.
Overall, "La vie continuera" conveys a message of acceptance, perseverance, and the ability to move forward in life despite the challenges faced.
Line by Line Meaning
J'me démerde
I manage on my own
Ce n'est rien
It's nothing
La pluie dans les yeux
The rain in my eyes
Fermer son cœur
Closing my heart
S'en remettre à Dieu
Putting my trust in God
Je fais Mea Culpa
I admit my fault
L'amour ne suffit pas
Love is not enough
J'ai fait ce que j'ai pu
I did what I could
Avec ce que t'as pas
With what you don't have
Tu te démerdes plutôt bien
You manage quite well
Le glam', le décor
The glam, the decor
Le goût de l'image et du confort
The taste for image and comfort
Tu fais Mea Culpa
You admit your fault
Non, mais tu te fous de moi
No, but you're kidding me
À faire ce que tu peux
To do what you can
Avec ce que t'as pas
With what you don't have
Mes prières seront exaucées
My prayers will be answered
Mes pensées
My thoughts
Qui ne sont que griefs et rejet
Which are nothing but grievances and rejection
Deviendront indolores
Will become painless
Dans le bleu des accords
In the blue of the chords
Et la vie continuera
And life will go on
Ça ira, la mer effacera
It will be fine, the sea will erase
Toute trace de combat
All traces of the battle
Ça ira, ça ira, la vie continuera
It will be fine, it will be fine, life will go on
Désaccord entre l'âme et le corps
Disagreement between the soul and the body
Même si la flamme au cœur brille encore
Even if the flame in the heart still shines
Tu fais Mea Culpa
You admit your fault
Aimer tu ne sais pas
You don't know how to love
T'as fait ce que t'as pu
You did what you could
Avec ce que t'as pas
With what you don't have
Mes pensées
My thoughts
Qui ne sont que griefs et rejet
Which are nothing but grievances and rejection
Deviendront indolores
Will become painless
Dans le feu des alcools
In the fire of spirits
Et la vie continuera
And life will go on
Ça ira
It will be fine
La mer effacera
The sea will erase
Toute trace de combat
All traces of the battle
Oublie moi
Forget me
La vie continuera
Life will go on
La douleur s'évapore
The pain evaporates
Dans le bleu des accords
In the blue of the chords
Ça ira
It will be fine
La mer effacera
The sea will erase
Toute trace de nos pas
All traces of our steps
J'serais plus là
I won't be here anymore
La vie continuera
Life will go on
J'serai plus là
I won't be here anymore
La vie continuera
Life will go on
J'serai plus là
I won't be here anymore
La vie continuera
Life will go on
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jerome Soligny, Etienne Daho
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind