Étienne Daho (born January 14, 1956 in Oran, Algeria) is a French singer-so… Read Full Bio ↴Étienne Daho (born January 14, 1956 in Oran, Algeria) is a French singer-songwriter and musician. Since the early 1980s, he has had an extensive and successful career in the French-speaking world, with a synth-driven and rock-influenced pop sound. He is known for his low, whispery singing style, similar to Leonard Cohen and Benjamin Biolay, and for his innovative and creative music videos. His main influence is Francoise Hardy.

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.

Musc Et Ambre
Étienne Daho Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Assez, ces pensées sont insensées
Glissées à mes oreilles glacées
Passez sous silence mon passé
Tissé de mensonges agacés
Entendu dans la lagune, les nuits de brume, je chante, la mer écoute
Des oiseaux fatigués sur moi se penchent, j'entends, rumeurs étranges
Les Dieux qu'invoquent des sorciers fous, sous les nuages
Et personne ne me croit

Assez, de ses épaules voilées
Assez, ses jupes ternes et froissées

Assez, faux sourires, sourcils froncés
Hissez, drapeaux et voiles, annoncez
Qu'entre les champs parfumés de musc et d'ambre et ma chambre, je l'invente
Ses yeux sur moi se posent
Lorsqu'elle pose sur le fond de champ de roses
Et attend, les lèvres closes
Dis-moi, dis moi que tu me croies
Entre les champs parfumés de musc et d'ambre et ma chambre, je l'invente
Elle avance vers moi, fière et sereine, un beau jour elle sera mienne

Elle serait reine et serait folle
Alors, dis moi, dis moi que tu me croies.

Overall Meaning

"Musc Et Ambre" by Étienne Daho is a poetic and introspective song that explores themes of longing, illusions, and the power of imagination. The lyrics convey a sense of weariness and dissatisfaction with the singer's past, which is depicted as filled with agitated lies. The opening lines express a desire for those thoughts to be silenced and forgotten, as they have contributed to a sense of emotional coldness.

As the song progresses, the singer turns their attention to a mystical and dreamlike realm, described as a lagoon filled with foggy nights. It is in this liminal space that the singer finds solace and freedom to express themselves. The image of tired birds leaning towards them suggests a longing for connection and understanding, as if seeking validation for the strange rumors they generate. The appeal to the gods invoked by mad sorcerers reflects a sense of disbelief or lack of support from others.

The second verse introduces a shift in focus towards a specific person, perhaps a love interest. The singer rejects the presence of deception and disingenuousness represented by veiled shoulders and dull, wrinkled skirts. Instead, they long for genuineness, symbolized by the announcement of flags and sails. The fields scented with musk and amber serve as a backdrop for the singer's creative world, where they invent their own reality within the confines of their bedroom. The gaze of this person upon the singer is described as having a profound effect, as roses bloom in the background, and anticipation fills the air. The repetition of the plea to be believed emphasizes the need for validation and the longing for an authentic connection.

Line by Line Meaning

Assez, ces pensées sont insensées
Enough, these thoughts are crazy

Glissées à mes oreilles glacées
Slipped into my frosty ears

Passez sous silence mon passé
Pass over my past in silence

Tissé de mensonges agacés
Woven with annoying lies

Entendu dans la lagune, les nuits de brume, je chante, la mer écoute
Heard in the lagoon, foggy nights, I sing, the sea listens

Des oiseaux fatigués sur moi se penchent, j'entends, rumeurs étranges
Weary birds lean over me, I hear strange rumors

Les Dieux qu'invoquent des sorciers fous, sous les nuages
The Gods summoned by crazy sorcerers, under the clouds

Et personne ne me croit
And no one believes me

Assez, de ses épaules voilées
Enough of her veiled shoulders

Assez, ses jupes ternes et froissées
Enough of her dull and wrinkled skirts

Assez, faux sourires, sourcils froncés
Enough of fake smiles, furrowed brows

Hissez, drapeaux et voiles, annoncez
Hoist flags and sails, announce

Qu'entre les champs parfumés de musc et d'ambre et ma chambre, je l'invente
That between the scented fields of musk and amber and my room, I invent her

Ses yeux sur moi se posent
Her eyes rest upon me

Lorsqu'elle pose sur le fond de champ de roses
When she places herself on the backdrop of a rose field

Et attend, les lèvres closes
And waits, lips closed

Dis-moi, dis moi que tu me croies
Tell me, tell me that you believe me

Entre les champs parfumés de musc et d'ambre et ma chambre, je l'invente
Between the scented fields of musk and amber and my room, I invent her

Elle avance vers moi, fière et sereine, un beau jour elle sera mienne
She approaches me, proud and serene, one beautiful day she will be mine

Elle serait reine et serait folle
She would be a queen and would be mad

Alors, dis moi, dis moi que tu me croies
So, tell me, tell me that you believe me

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Daho Etienne, Turboust Arnold

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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