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.
Virus X
Étienne Daho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Les gargouilles nous surveillent
Saint-Malo, rose pâle
Se déplie, se réveille Virus X
Jeune flamme orageuse
Solitaire, héroïque
Disperse dans l'océan
L'azur fou de tes yeux
M'a lancé un défi
Et je lèche le sang
De cruels ennemis
Nul besoin de me démasquer
Car je n'ressemble à aucun de tes ex
Nul besoin de me contaminer
De m'intoxiquer par ton Virus X
Virus X, Virus X
Nul besoin de me contaminer
De m'intoxiquer par ton Virus X
Virus X
Ton cœur bat la chamade
Zigzague, les yeux bandés
J'échappe à l'embuscade
Le plus sûr des reflexes
Serait de vite fait tracer
Nul besoin de me démasquer
Car je n'ressemble à aucun de tes ex
Nul besoin de me contaminer
De m'intoxiquer par ton Virus X
Nul besoin de me démasquer
Car je n'ressemble à aucun de tes ex
Nul besoin de me contaminer
De m'intoxiquer par ton Virus X
Virus X, Virus X
Nul besoin de me contaminer
De m'intoxiquer par ton Virus X
Du haut de Saint-Vincent
Les gargouilles nous surveillent
Saint-Malo, rose pâle
Se déplie, se réveille
Saint-Malo, rose pâle
Se déplie, se réveille
Virus X
Virus X
"Virus X" by Étienne Daho is a song that is full of poetic and metaphorical storytelling. The lyrics depict a mysterious and intense relationship between the singer and the object of their affection. The song begins with the mention of Saint-Vincent, a high point where the gargoyles are watching over them. This could be interpreted as a symbol of constantly being observed or judged by external forces. Saint-Malo, described as a pale pink color, unfolds and awakens the "Virus X."
The singer refers to themselves as a "young stormy flame" that is solitary and heroic. They scatter their organic poems into the ocean, a metaphor for their emotions and expressions being disseminated widely. The intense gaze of the person they desire has issued them a challenge, and they eagerly embrace it, even if it means confronting cruel enemies.
The chorus emphasizes their uniqueness and independence, highlighting that they don't resemble any of their love interest's exes and there is no need for them to be infected by or intoxicated with the "Virus X." The "Virus X" can be seen as a metaphor for the toxic or dangerous aspects of the relationship.
The song suggests that the person they desire is unpredictable, with a heart that beats rapidly and blindly zigzags. The singer cleverly evades any ambush, asserting that the quickest reflex would be to trace a path away from the situation.
Overall, "Virus X" explores the complexities of desire, attraction, and the need to maintain individuality and autonomy within a relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Du haut de Saint-Vincent
From the top of Saint-Vincent
Les gargouilles nous surveillent
The gargoyles are watching us
Saint-Malo, rose pâle
Saint-Malo, pale rose
Se déplie, se réveille Virus X
Unfolds, awakens Virus X
Jeune flamme orageuse
Young stormy flame
Solitaire, héroïque
Solitary, heroic
Disperse dans l'océan
Scatters in the ocean
Ses poèmes organiques
Its organic poems
L'azur fou de tes yeux
The crazy azure of your eyes
M'a lancé un défi
Has thrown me a challenge
Et je lèche le sang
And I lick the blood
De cruels ennemis
Of cruel enemies
Nul besoin de me démasquer
No need to unmask me
Car je n'ressemble à aucun de tes ex
Because I don't resemble any of your exes
Nul besoin de me contaminer
No need to infect me
De m'intoxiquer par ton Virus X
To intoxicate me with your Virus X
Virus X, Virus X
Virus X, Virus X
Ton cœur bat la chamade
Your heart beats fast
Zigzague, les yeux bandés
Zigzags, blindfolded
J'échappe à l'embuscade
I escape the ambush
Le plus sûr des reflexes
The safest reflex
Serait de vite fait tracer
Would be to quickly trace
Virus X, Virus X
Virus X, Virus X
Du haut de Saint-Vincent
From the top of Saint-Vincent
Les gargouilles nous surveillent
The gargoyles are watching us
Saint-Malo, rose pâle
Saint-Malo, pale rose
Se déplie, se réveille
Unfolds, awakens
Saint-Malo, rose pâle
Saint-Malo, pale rose
Se déplie, se réveille
Unfolds, awakens
Virus X
Virus X
Virus X
Virus X
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Etienne Daho, Federico Di Bonaventura, Paolo Gozzetti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hans Hirsch
👍👍👍👍
Laurent Huchard
Ce morceau est absolument dingue DAHO, encore et toujours le grand maitre de la pop Française
anne marie dupont
salut chère beaux homme je vous contacte parce que j'ai bien aime votre personne pour cela je pense bien avoir une petit connaissances suis cela vous dérange pas ? merci bien passe une très belle journée
Buron Bruno
Étonné Daho ...Le Taulier ! 🎤📺
Patrick Lhoir
Du tout grand Étienne daho ! On en redemande !
didier robert
j adore! merci Etienne
Nad 16
Écoutée pour la première fois hier en voiture, et gros coup de ♥️.
Tom Huxley
Magnifique Etienne... tellement bien... J'adore, ne change rien ta carrière d'artiste est un exemple pour bcp...🙂😘😊
L D
Ça change de notre Daho de d'habitude ,mais ça va ,le rythme et la voix sont là , merci pour ce beau moment ..😉💙👍
Isabelle Carlone
Waouh... Juste une incroyable envie de danser !!! La magie Daho opère, encore et toujours 🙏🙏🙏💕💕💕💕💕💕