The duo produces music that mixes traditional Mali sound with rock guitars, Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets, Egyptian ney, Colombian trombones, Indian tablas and Dogon percussion. All these elements put together have been referred to as "Afro-blues".
In 2004 they put out an acclaimed album produced by Manu Chao.
In 2006 they were acknowledged with BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in the two categories: Africa and Album of the Year (for the "Dimanche à Bamako" release).
www.amadou-mariam.com
Baara
Amadou & Mariam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na dén mina
On chante, on danse
On se remue, on bouge
Moi, je m'en fou
Batoma, ton bébé pleure, Batoma
Batoma, tout le monde te demande, Batoma
Batoma, tout le monde t'appelle, Batoma
Moi, je m'en fou
Ni dén bê kassi, sin do a da
Ni né Fatoma bê kassi, sin do a da
Ni né Batoma bê kassi, sin da a da
Bournakê toma ni o bê kassila, sin do a da
Bagayoko toma ni o bê kassi la, sin do a da
Né toma ni o bê kassi la, sin do a da
On chante, on danse
On se remue, on bouge
Moi, je m'en fou
Mô kê toma a to ka kassi ka dafara
Moi, je m'en fou
Mo mousso toma a to kassi ka dafara
Moi, je m'en fou
Bouran kê djougou toma a to kassi ka dafara
Moi, je m'en fou
Bouran mousso djougou toma a to kassi ka da dafara
Moi, je m'en fou
Nimogokê djougou toma a to kassi ka dafara
Moi, je m'en fou
Sinamousso djougou toma a to kassi ka dafara
Moi, je m'en fou
Batoma hé dén bê kassi la, na dén mina
On chante, on danse
On se remue, on bouge
Moi, je m'en fou
Ni dénouw bê kassi, a yé dénouw nani
Ni dénouw bê kassi, a yé nani
Tjou, Tjou, Tjou, sin do a da
Tjou, Tjou, Tjou, dén nani
The lyrics of "Baara" by Amadou & Mariam describe a lively and upbeat atmosphere where people are dancing and singing. The refrain "On chante, on danse, on se remue, on bouge" which translates to "We sing, we dance, we move, we dance" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the joy and euphoria of the moment. The lyrics also mention a woman named Batoma, who is being called by everyone around her because her baby is crying, but the singer states that they do not care about the situation.
The song seems to be a celebration of community and shared experiences. The repetition of names throughout the lyrics suggests a call-and-response type of exchange, which is characteristic of African traditional music. The lyrics are in Bambara, a West African language spoken mostly in Mali, and they create a sense of camaraderie and togetherness among the people singing and dancing.
One interesting aspect of the song is that it features a mix of traditional African instruments, such as the kora and balafon, together with electric guitars and synthesizers. This blend of traditional and modern sounds and rhythms reflects the duo's unique style, which is a fusion of African music with Western rock and electronic influences.
Another interesting fact about "Baara" is that the song was released in 1998 as part of the duo's album "Sou Ni Tile," which means "Night and Day" in Bambara. The album was an instant success, and it helped to establish Amadou & Mariam as one of the most popular African music acts of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The duo went on to release several more albums, each one showcasing a different facet of their musical creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Batoma hé dén bê kassi la
Batoma, your baby cries, Batoma
Na dén mina
Everyone is calling you, Batoma
On chante, on danse
We sing, we dance
On se remue, on bouge
We move, we groove
Moi, je m'en fou
I don't care
Ni dén bê kassi, sin do a da
Everyone's baby cries, sin do a da
Ni né Fatoma bê kassi, sin do a da
Everyone's Fatoma's baby cries, sin do a da
Ni né Batoma bê kassi, sin da a da
Everyone's Batoma's baby cries, sin da a da
Bournakê toma ni o bê kassila, sin do a da
Bournakê's Toma's baby cries, sin do a da
Bagayoko toma ni o bê kassi la, sin do a da
Bagayoko's Toma's baby cries, sin do a da
Né toma ni o bê kassi la, sin do a da
Né's Toma's baby cries, sin do a da
Mô kê toma a to ka kassi ka dafara
My wife's Toma's baby cries, ka dafara
Mo mousso toma a to kassi ka dafara
My husband's Toma's baby cries, ka dafara
Bouran kê djougou toma a to kassi ka dafara
Bouran's wife's Djougou's Toma's baby cries, ka dafara
Bouran mousso djougou toma a to kassi ka da dafara
Bouran's husband's Djougou's Toma's baby cries, ka dafara
Nimogokê djougou toma a to kassi ka dafara
Nimogokê's Djougou's Toma's baby cries, ka dafara
Sinamousso djougou toma a to kassi ka dafara
Sinamousso's Djougou's Toma's baby cries, ka dafara
Batoma hé dén bê kassi la, na dén mina
Batoma, your baby cries, everyone is calling you, Batoma
Ni dénouw bê kassi, a yé dénouw nani
Everyone's baby cries, but yours is no exception
Ni dénouw bê kassi, a yé nani
Everyone's baby cries, it's nothing new
Tjou, Tjou, Tjou, sin do a da
Tjou, Tjou, Tjou, sin do a da
Tjou, Tjou, Tjou, dén nani
Tjou, Tjou, Tjou, it's nothing new
Writer(s): MARIAM DOUMBIA
Contributed by Benjamin O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@matthewdowton3369
i can't even explain this song man.
the melody, the vocals, the drums all melting together. every negative emotion being cast away.
as tears flow from my eyes i wish the whole world could feel what im feeling.
@alana.4432
euphoria... a beautiful thing to feel but also dangerous at times
@philandave
atleast we can... oh man we can feel it ...
@gerardvermeer2
the whole world COULD feel this…
@tosojaco9407
1
@davidthomaswade9153
There is a way to fulfill that wish
@filippilj592
wow, imagine to throw a party with all these people that love this record
@kashkacrampton3768
I'm there
@marlonleuze6267
I‘m in.
@S4V0LAEN3N
<3 ..it would turn whole humanity through ascension process and lift us all to higher state of existence, like instantly!