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.

Talisman
Étienne Daho Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Loin du chant des sirènes envoûtant
Des chimères, des fables et du vent
Viens me retrouver pour l'éternité
Loin des trésors de sable mouvant
De l'or, des épices et des rubans
Viens me retrouver pour l'éternité
Oh, combattre pour d'éternelles retrouvailles
Il ne sera de plus noble bataille

A célébrer
Dans le désert où s'arrete le temps

A l'heure ou le soleil est safran
Viens me retrouver pour l'éternité
Ce talisman protège les amants
Des mirages et des ouragans
Viens me retrouver pour l'éternité
Oh, combattre pour d'éternelles retrouvailles
Il ne sera de plus noble bataille
A célébrer
Oh nous n'aurons ni les honneurs ni les médailles

Mais il n'sera de plus noble bataille
A célébrer

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Étienne Daho's song Talisman evoke a sense of longing for a permanent and eternal connection with a loved one. The singer pleads for this person to abandon the allure of sirens, fables, and fleeting treasures in order to come together forever, away from the trappings of the material world. The battle for enduring togetherness is framed as a noble and worthy endeavor, one that will take place in a timeless desert where the sunsets are saffron-colored. The singer also mentions a talisman that protects lovers from mirages and hurricanes, further underscoring the fragility of romantic relationships and the need for something tangible to anchor them.

Overall, the lyrics to Talisman are a romantic and poetic reflection on the challenges of maintaining a lasting bond with someone you love. There is a sense of urgency and desperation in the singer's pleas, as if they are willing to fight and sacrifice everything to preserve this connection. They recognize the transience of material goods and the allure of fantasy, but believe that the only thing worth striving for is a love that endures forever.

Line by Line Meaning

Loin du chant des sirènes envoûtant
Far from the captivating song of the sirens

Des chimères, des fables et du vent
Away from illusions, legends, and winds

Viens me retrouver pour l'éternité
Come find me for eternity

Loin des trésors de sable mouvant
Far from treasures of shifting sands

De l'or, des épices et des rubans
From gold, spices, and ribbons

Viens me retrouver pour l'éternité
Come find me for eternity

Oh, combattre pour d'éternelles retrouvailles
Oh, to fight for eternal reunions

Il ne sera de plus noble bataille
There will be no nobler battle

A célébrer
To celebrate

Dans le désert où s'arrête le temps
In the desert where time stops

A l'heure où le soleil est safran
At the hour when the sun is saffron