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.

Saint Lunaire Dimanche matin
Étienne Daho Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

La fête s'achève
Et les derniers se pressent
C'est comme dans un rêve
Et y a plus rien à boire
Bonsoir
Et y a plus rien à boire
Bonsoir
Et y a plus rien à boire

Dans le vestibule
Où nos regards se croisent
Vais-je enfin oser
L'amener sur la plage
Bonjour
L'amener sur la plage
Bonjour
L'amener sur la plage
Bonjour

C'est l'heure
Des folies permises
Enfin
L'heure où
Je ne comprends plus rien

La fête s'achève
Plus une cigarette
Mais toi, tu as compris
Tu me suis sans rien dire
Bonjour
Tu me suis sans rien dire
Bonjour
Tu me suis sans rien dire

C'est l'heure
Des délires permis, enfin
L'heure où
Je ne comprends plus rien
Tant d'alcool
Ma tête est lourde

Un peu d'air frais
Me ferait du bien
La fête s'achève
Et les derniers se pressent
Y a plus rien à boire
Mais tes lèvres suffisent, bonjour

Mais tes lèvres suffisent, bonjour
Mais tes lèvres suffisent

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Étienne Daho’s “Saint-Lunaire Dimanche Matin” tell a story of a party that is winding down and coming to an end. As the last of the guests leave, the singer is left alone with someone they have had their eye on all evening. In the vestibule, they finally work up the nerve to ask this person if they want to go down to the beach. The chorus repeats “bonjour” and “bonsoir” intermittently, signaling the transition between the evening and the morning.

As the two make their way towards the beach, the lyrics become more abstract, focusing more on the singer’s internal thoughts and feelings. They indicate that they are feeling a sense of freedom and lack of understanding, perhaps due to the alcohol they have consumed. As the partygoers head home and there is nothing left to drink, the singer feels that the person they are with is enough to make them happy. The song ends with a repetition of “mais tes lèvres suffisent”, which means “but your lips are enough.”

The lyrics of “Saint-Lunaire Dimanche Matin” capture the feeling of a night coming to an end and the beginning of a new day. The repetition of “bonjour” and “bonsoir” in the chorus reflect the transition between the two, while the abstract lyrics towards the end of the song add a dreamlike quality. The song is ultimately about the connections we make with others, and the way that those connections can be enough to fill a void.

Line by Line Meaning

La fête s'achève
The party is coming to an end

Et les derniers se pressent
And the last ones are hurrying

C'est comme dans un rêve
It feels like a dream

Et y a plus rien à boire
And there is nothing left to drink

Bonsoir
Goodbye

Et y a plus rien à boire
And there is nothing left to drink

Bonsoir
Goodbye

Et y a plus rien à boire
And there is nothing left to drink

Dans le vestibule
In the vestibule

Où nos regards se croisent
Where our eyes meet

Vais-je enfin oser
Will I finally dare to