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.
Les Jalousies
Étienne Daho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Je monte la garde et tu commences à vivre ton autre vie
Et l'inconscient, t'ouvre grand ses lourdes jalousies
Et l'inconscient t'ouvre grand ses lourdes jalousies
Soldat de ton souffle, dans ce long voyage, attentif, je te suis
Les sommets ou le gouffre, dans quelle situation es-tu en conflit ?
Lorsque l'inconscient, t'ouvre grand ses lourdes jalousies
Au matin tu reviens, le jour disperse toutes les ombres de la nuit
Profonde amnésie, tu ne te souviens meme plus de qui je suis
Et ton inconscient referme ses lourdes jalousies
Et ton inconscient referme ses lourdes jalousies
The lyrics of Étienne Daho's song Les Jalousies describe a relationship in which one person is guarding the other's dreams and desires. The first line, "Sentinelle idolâtre et gardien de temple de tes nuits," can be translated to mean "idolatrous sentinel and guardian of the temple of your nights." The singer is devoted to the other person, guarding their innermost thoughts and feelings. However, as the other person opens up to their unconscious desires and fantasies, the singer is left conflicted and unsure of their role. The line "Les sommets ou le gouffre, dans quelle situation es-tu en conflit?" asks whether the other person is at the summit or in the abyss of their emotions.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Lorsque l'inconscient, t'ouvre grand ses lourdes jalousies" twice, which means "when the unconscious opens wide its heavy shutters." This line suggests that the other person is conflicted between their conscious desires and hidden feelings, and the singer is left to guard and witness this internal struggle. In the end, the other person forgets even who the singer is, and their unconscious closes again, leaving the singer feeling discarded and forgotten.
Overall, the song describes the complicated and sometimes painful dynamics of a relationship in which one person takes on the role of a guardian or sentinel, trying to protect the other person's innermost desires and emotions. As the other person starts to reveal their unconscious desires, the situation becomes more complex and conflicted, leaving the singer feeling uncertain and ultimately discarded.
Line by Line Meaning
Sentinelle idolâtre et gardien de temple de tes nuits
As your devout watchman and protector of your dreams
Je monte la garde et tu commences à vivre ton autre vie
I stand guard while you start to live your other life
Et l'inconscient, t'ouvre grand ses lourdes jalousies
Yet your subconscious mind unlocks its heavy jealousy doors
Et l'inconscient t'ouvre grand ses lourdes jalousies
And your subconscious mind unlocks its heavy jealousy doors
Soldat de ton souffle, dans ce long voyage, attentif, je te suis
Like a soldier following your every breath on this long journey
Les sommets ou le gouffre, dans quelle situation es-tu en conflit ?
Amidst the heights and abyss, what situation causes conflict within you?
Lorsque l'inconscient, t'ouvre grand ses lourdes jalousies
When your subconscious mind unlocks its heavy jealousy doors
Lorsque l'inconscient, t'ouvre grand ses lourdes jalousies
When your subconscious mind unlocks its heavy jealousy doors
Au matin tu reviens, le jour disperse toutes les ombres de la nuit
When morning comes, the day scatters all the shadows of the night
Profonde amnésie, tu ne te souviens meme plus de qui je suis
Deep amnesia causes you to forget who I even am
Et ton inconscient referme ses lourdes jalousies
And your subconscious mind closes its heavy jealousy doors
Et ton inconscient referme ses lourdes jalousies
And your subconscious mind closes its heavy jealousy doors
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daho Etienne, Dembling Nicholas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind