His music being so eclectic, it is hard to label him. However, the influence of Serge Gainsbourg can be traced in the way he uses the structures of Anglo-Saxon pop and funk, but blends them with the French tradition of complex lyrical wordplay and an emphasis on storytelling.
He his known for his unique hairstyle in the shape of an M, and praised for his amazing guitar playing abilities , and his grandiose live performances à la David Bowie (documented in the live album Le Tour de -M-).
He is Louis Chédid's son. Some of his texts (among which Bonobo) have been written by the writer Andrée Chédid, who happens to be his grandmother.
Mama Sam
-M- Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Quand je te revois Mama Sam
Un si grand cœur une si belle âme
Qui ne se soucie jamais de l'heure
Quand je pense qu'elle était comme moi
Issue de ce pays glacial
Maintenant qu'elle vit au Kenya
C'est l'africaine occidentale
Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique
(Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique)
Aigrie est ma couleur de peau
(Aigrie est ma couleur de peau)
La vie est une machine à fric
(La vie est une machine à fric)
Où les affreux non pas d'afro
Tous ces jeunes américanisés
"Nike" de la tête aux pieds
Génération très, très marquée
Mama Sam est consternée
À cette époque ou faire l'amour
Est un danger pour l'humanité
Il est honteux d'afficher "Nike"
Sur nos vêtements dégénérés
Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique
(Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique)
Aigrie est ma couleur de peau
(Aigrie est ma couleur de peau)
La vie est une machine à fric
(La vie est une machine à fric)
Où les affreux non pas d'afro
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Mama Sam cette fois c'est décidé
M'éloigner de Paname me f'rais le plus grand bien
Et si ça s'trouve je n'reviendrai jamais
Je s'rais le plus blanc-bec de tous les africains
Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique
(Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique)
Aigrie est ma couleur de peau
(Aigrie est ma couleur de peau)
La vie est une machine à fric
(La vie est une machine à fric)
Où les affreux non pas d'afro
Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique
(Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique)
Aigrie est ma couleur de peau
(Aigrie est ma couleur de peau)
La vie est une machine à fric
(La vie est une machine à fric)
Où les affreux non pas d'afro
The song Mama Sam by French singer -M- is an ode to the titular Mama Sam, who represents the true values and generosity of spirit that -M- feels are often missing in our modern, money-driven society. Mama Sam is someone who doesn't care about time and instead focuses on the things that really matter. In the chorus, -M- asserts that although he doesn't know Africa (a reference to his own ignorance of his African heritage), he knows that his skin is bitter and feels that money is driving everything in the world, while people of African descent are underrepresented.
The first verse speaks about how Mama Sam is from a cold country, but that she now lives in Kenya and identifies as from West Africa. The second verse discusses the shallowness of consumer culture, pointing to a generation of young people who are completely absorbed in branded items such as Nike and who are not aware of their origins. Mama Sam is appalled by this trend and feels that in a time when love itself is dangerous, it is shameful to wear clothing that is so overtly commercial.
The final verse takes a turn, as -M- announces that he's planning to leave Paris (where he is based) and move to Africa. He feels that this will be the best thing for him and that he may never return, but acknowledges that he will be an outsider among Africans due to his skin color. The chorus is repeated again, with -M- emphasizing the bitterness of his own skin and the fact that the world is a machine designed to generate money and drive forward regardless of the people affected.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Repeating the name Mama Sam to show the significance of this person's influence.
Quand je te revois Mama Sam
When I see you again Mama Sam, I am reminded of true values.
Je retrouve les vraies valeurs
I rediscover valuable qualities.
Un si grand cœur une si belle âme
A heart so big and a soul so beautiful.
Qui ne se soucie jamais de l'heure
Who never worries about time.
Quand je pense qu'elle était comme moi
When I think that she was like me.
Issue de ce pays glacial
From that icy country.
Maintenant qu'elle vit au Kenya
Now that she lives in Kenya.
C'est l'africaine occidentale
She's the West African.
Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique
No, I don't know Africa.
Aigrie est ma couleur de peau
Bitterness is my skin color.
La vie est une machine à fric
Life is a money-making machine.
Où les affreux non pas d'afro
Where the awful do not have Afro.
Tous ces jeunes américanisés
All these Americanized youth.
"Nike" de la tête aux pieds
With "Nike" from head to toe.
Génération très, très marquée
A generation that is very, very marked.
Mama Sam est consternée
Mama Sam is horrified.
À cette époque ou faire l'amour
At this time when making love
Est un danger pour l'humanité
Is a danger for humanity.
Il est honteux d'afficher "Nike"
It is shameful to display "Nike".
Sur nos vêtements dégénérés
On our degenerate clothing.
Mama Sam, Mama Sam
Repeating the name Mama Sam to emphasize her importance.
Mama Sam cette fois c'est décidé
Mama Sam, this time it's decided.
M'éloigner de Paname me f'rais le plus grand bien
Getting away from Paris would do me the most good.
Et si ça s'trouve je n'reviendrai jamais
And maybe I won't come back at all.
Je s'rais le plus blanc-bec de tous les africains
I will be the greenesthorn of all Africans.
Non je ne connais pas l'Afrique
No, I don't know Africa.
Aigrie est ma couleur de peau
Bitterness is my skin color.
La vie est une machine à fric
Life is a money-making machine.
Où les affreux non pas d'afro
Where the awful do not have Afro.
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Matthieu Arnaud Chedid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@inaanokaba
Christy McGarry, i think, has edge over other candidates considering that she had done previous beaucons. She's got the height, the body, the face and most importantly, communication skills.. she is very spontaneous.
Also, behind her team is RAJO Laurel, Raymond Gutierrez,... etc.
She will be like Ms. Dominican Rep 2022
Im rooting for her !!!
@MamaSamVlog
Pwede din ❤❤❤
@alfjoey1234
Between Alexie & Lorain, I prefer the latter. When she speaks, what she had to say has substance. She is elegant, svelte and queenly. She is world class.
@MamaSamVlog
laban
@rperarce1894
Go for Miss Iloilo...Ms. Alexie Brooks
@MamaSamVlog
laban
@andrewsoriano3625
Ako personally, I think any year na mag-try ang isang lady na sumali ng Miss Universe Philippines ay never siyang makakasiguro na mananalo siya, regardless kung gaano siya ka-prepared. Tulad nga ng sabi ng maraming beauty pageant experts, kung hindi naka-align ang stars for you to win, hindi ka mananalo. Winning a beauty contest is really a destiny, at kung sasali ka, try to enjoy the journey, experience and the learnings; and bear in mind na kaya ka nakapasok sa pageant is because you are beautiful and good enough to be there....
@MamaSamVlog
I hope so ❤
@tca666
Korek kelangan mo si lady luck sabe ni gloria diaz 😊
@jasminetripoli9529
❤❤❤❤ SMART Miss Iloilo Alexi Mae Brooks Kayumanngi ❤❤❤❤ FAVORITE ALEXI Mae Brooks Ang Crown Miss Universe Iloilo Universe Philippines Numbers