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.
Promesses
Étienne Daho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Est pleine
De promesses
Chinoise
Aux sombres mobiles
Les nuages se pressent et les étoiles filent
Demain est presque là, éclaire une autre ville
Les rues
Sont pleines
De promesses
Mobiles et ombres chinoises
L'air frais claque et se tend
Balaye tes cheveux
J'ai les doigts sur tes tempes
Tu fermes les yeux
J'aimerais te parler
De ballades sur le port
Et de trésors cachés
Dans les rochers le soir
J'aimerais simplement
Te changer les idées
J'aimerais simplement
Chasser tes idées sombres
La lune est pleine
De promesses
Exauce les vœux les
Plus fous
Oublie visages vides et avides, laisse
Laisse ces soucis où hélas tu te prélasses tant
Je voudrais te parler de croisières sans fin
De signes et de mots sur le sable gravés
Je voudrais simplement te changer les idées
Je voudrais simplement te chasser tes idées sombres
Je voudrais te parler de ballades sur le port
Et de trésors cachés dans les rochers le soir
Je voudrais simplement te changer les idées
Pour que tu puisses enfin chasser mes idées noires
The lyrics in Etienne Daho's song "Promesses" describe a moment of hope and promise as dawn approaches. The imagery of the lyrics presents a feeling of renewal and new beginnings. The promise of the coming day is also connected to the mysterious allure of Chinese shadows and moving clouds that create a sense of excitement and anticipation. The singer invites his companion to let go of their worries and anxieties and open themselves to new experiences and new perspectives. The lyrics evoke a sense of romance and possibility that is heightened by the vivid imagery of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Vois, l'aube
Look, the dawn
Est pleine
Is full
De promesses
Of promises
Chinoise
Chinese
Aux sombres mobiles
With dark movables
Les nuages se pressent et les étoiles filent
The clouds are pressing and the stars are shooting
Demain est presque là, éclaire une autre ville
Tomorrow is almost here, lighting up another city
Les rues
The streets
Sont pleines
Are full
De promesses
Of promises
Mobiles et ombres chinoises
Mobile and Chinese shadows
L'air frais claque et se tend
The fresh air is crisp and tense
Balaye tes cheveux
Sweeps through your hair
J'ai les doigts sur tes tempes
I have my fingers on your temples
Tu fermes les yeux
You close your eyes
J'aimerais te parler
I would like to talk to you
De ballades sur le port
About walks on the port
Et de trésors cachés
And hidden treasures
Dans les rochers le soir
In the rocks at night
J'aimerais simplement
I would simply like
Te changer les idées
To change your mind
J'aimerais simplement
I would simply like
Chasser tes idées sombres
To chase away your dark thoughts
La lune est pleine
The moon is full
De promesses
Of promises
Exauce les vœux les
Fulfills the wildest dreams
Plus fous
The craziest
Oublie visages vides et avides, laisse
Forget empty and greedy faces, let go
Laisse ces soucis où hélas tu te prélasses tant
Leave behind those worries that you sadly lounge in so often
Je voudrais te parler de croisières sans fin
I would like to talk to you about endless cruises
De signes et de mots sur le sable gravés
About signs and words engraved on the sand
Je voudrais simplement
I would simply like
Te changer les idées
To change your mind
Je voudrais simplement
I would simply like
Te chasser tes idées sombres
To chase away your dark thoughts
Je voudrais te parler de ballades sur le port
I would like to talk to you about walks on the port
Et de trésors cachés dans les rochers le soir
And hidden treasures in the rocks at night
Je voudrais simplement
I would simply like
Te changer les idées
To change your mind
Pour que tu puisses enfin chasser mes idées noires
So that you can finally chase away my dark thoughts
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Etienne Daho, Frank Darcel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind