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.
Soleil de minuit
Étienne Daho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reves d'enfance, rites magiques
Images usées, reves éveillés
Héros d'antan qui défient le temps
Dans le noir, garcons couche-tard
Sans guitares, gagnent peut-etre
Un pourboire pour la frime
La déprime en prime
Cuirs fatigués, rides au coin des yeux
Coca, ice-cream, pas un centime
Pauvres James Dean traine boulevard du crime
Dans les gares, félins aux yeux noirs
Sans départ, pas d'crédit
Pour les chasseurs en prime
La déprime en prime
Sombre voyou au regard fou
C'est toi, c'est nous qui dormons debout
Vivre à demi, désirs, envies
Paresse, ennui, soleil de minuit.
The lyrics of Etienne Daho's song Soleil De Minuit paints a picture of a dark and romantic world filled with violence and magic. It speaks of childhood dreams and outdated heroes who defy time. The verses describe the lives of nocturnal boys who earn a meager living without guitars and are perhaps more interested in flaunting their image rather than playing music. The chorus speaks of James Dean-like characters, stranded without money but armed with their street smarts, wandering through dark alleys hoping for that big break. In a world full of paresse, ennui, and the midnight sun, the singer paints a vivid picture of young people living on the edge, half alive, half asleep.
The lyrics of Soleil De Minuit are incredibly poetic and the words and images used in the song depict a dreamlike world of shadow and mystery. The lyrics touch on several themes such as ennui, desperation, and the lure of danger that young people often face. The song is beautifully melancholic, representing a world full of broken dreams and people who are struggling to find their place in it. Despite the darkness that surrounds the lyrics of the song, it has an optimistic feel, speaking of the resilience of young people who continue to live their lives in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Sombre romance, graine de violence
A dark romance filled with potential for violence.
Reves d'enfance, rites magiques
Childhood dreams and magical rituals.
Images usées, reves éveillés
Frequent daydreams with cliché images.
Héros d'antan qui défient le temps
Old-fashioned heroes who challenge the test of time.
Dans le noir, garcons couche-tard
Staying up late into the night without guitars.
Sans guitares, gagnent peut-etre
They might earn tips for bragging, despite the lack of instruments.
Un pourboire pour la frime
A tip for show-off.
La déprime en prime
Depression comes as a bonus.
Péloche rayée de gris, de bleu
A spotted film of grey and blue.
Cuirs fatigués, rides au coin des yeux
Tired leather clothes and wrinkles around the eyes.
Coca, ice-cream, pas un centime
Coca-cola, ice-cream, not a penny to spend.
Pauvres James Dean traine boulevard du crime
Poor James Dean roams the Boulevard of Crime.
Dans les gares, félins aux yeux noirs
Black-eyed felines in railway stations.
Sans départ, pas d'crédit
Without going anywhere, no credit available.
Pour les chasseurs en prime
Hunters get depression as a bonus.
La déprime en prime
Depression comes as a bonus.
Sombre voyou au regard fou
A shady crook with a crazed look.
C'est toi, c'est nous qui dormons debout
It's you and I who sleep standing up.
Vivre à demi, désirs, envies
Living half a life, with desires and passions.
Paresse, ennui, soleil de minuit.
Laziness, boredom, and the midnight sun.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Daho Etienne, Darcel Frank
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fredbourgeteau3482
un chef d'oeuvre de chanson un texte fort une ambiance unique bravo etienne
@CarolineChristaSongs
Chanson pour Ari Päffgen, fils de la chanteuse Nico du Velvet Underground. Repose en paix Ari !
@silvie1788
Meravigliosa voce bellissima canzone 💿♬😙
@julienamalfi568
Incroyable cette musique
@NAIVADA
Super. Mais galère, je recherche depuis une éternité la version plus "mainstream pop" de ce titre, qui existe aussi, avec des arrangements différents qui rendent la mélodie imparable je trouve.. trop peu entendue... Pourquoi est-elle si rare :)
@ks.420
C est énorme j adore 😍
@CarolineChristaSongs
Chanson pour Ari Päffgen, fils de la chanteuse Nico du Velvet Underground. Repose en paix Ari !
@judithpapo3583
Un super Étienne qui chante a la perfection que j' aime
@monadeli9515
Génial !
@fredbourgeteau3482
la naissance du génie de Daho?