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
M' bifé
Amadou & Mariam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ka na ta ka né to
Chéri né bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Tjéni né bifé
Tjéni na té fé
Ka na né maloya(??)
Tjéni né bifé
Tjéni né bifé
Embrasse-moi chéri
Tjéni né bifé (x2)
Ka na ta ka né to
Tjéni né bifé
Jarabi M'bifé
Serre-moi dans ta main
Ka na ta ka né to
Embrasse-moi chéri
Chéri je t'aime
Tjéni né bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Serre-moi dans ta main
Ka na né maloya
Embrasse-moi chéri
Ka na né maloya
Chéri je t'aime (x2)
The lyrics to Amadou & Mariam's song M'bifé are in a West African language spoken in Mali called Bambara. The song is a love song about a man and a woman, who express their love for each other in various ways. In the first verse, the woman says "Chéri né bifé" which translates to "Darling, I love you" and in the second line "Ka na ta ka né to" which means "I will never leave you." She repeats this verse throughout the song, emphasizing her love for her partner and how they will never separate.
In the next verse, the man responds with "Tjéni né bifé" which translates to "My love for you", and in the second line "Tjéni na té fé" which means "Will never die." He also repeats this verse several times in the song, solidifying his love for his partner and how it will never fade away. The rest of the lyrics are a combination of the two expressing their love in different ways, such as "Serre-moi dans ta main" (Hold me in your hand) and "Embrasse-moi chéri" (Kiss me darling).
Overall, the song is a beautiful expression of love between two people who are deeply connected and committed to each other. The repetition of the phrases "Chéri né bifé" and "Tjéni né bifé" throughout the song creates a powerful and emotional atmosphere that captures the depth of their love for each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Chéri né bifé
My dear, let's unite
Ka na ta ka né to
In this world, let's be together
Tjéni né bifé
My love, let's unite
Tjéni na té fé
Our love will never fade
Ka na né maloya(??)
Not sure, no meaning provided in the lyrics
Serre-moi dans ta main
Hold me tight in your hand
Embrasse-moi chéri
Kiss me, darling
Jarabi M'bifé
Not sure, no meaning provided in the lyrics
Chéri je t'aime
My love, I love you
Lyrics © REVA SONS, RADIO BEMBA, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SONY ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING FRANCE
Written by: MARIAM DOUMBIA, MANU CHAO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mgurru3458
Chéri né bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Chéri né bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Tjéni né bifé
Tjéni na té fé
Ka na né maloya(??)
Tjéni né bifé
Serre-moi dans ta main
Tjéni né bifé
Embrasse-moi chéri
Tjéni né bifé (x2)
Ka na ta ka né to
Tjéni né bifé
Jarabi M'bifé
Serre-moi dans ta main
Ka na ta ka né to
Embrasse-moi chéri
Chéri je t'aime
Tjéni né bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Serre-moi dans ta main
Ka na né maloya
Embrasse-moi chéri
Ka na né maloya
Chéri je t'aime (x2)
@poppychoppy5091
Oh my god! How can something be so utterly beautiful!! ❤️
@noarnoar7775
Manu chao qui accompagne derrière avec sa voix !
@ned_biggs
This needs to be 15 minutes longer!
@mgurru3458
Chéri né bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Chéri né bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Tjéni né bifé
Tjéni na té fé
Ka na né maloya(??)
Tjéni né bifé
Serre-moi dans ta main
Tjéni né bifé
Embrasse-moi chéri
Tjéni né bifé (x2)
Ka na ta ka né to
Tjéni né bifé
Jarabi M'bifé
Serre-moi dans ta main
Ka na ta ka né to
Embrasse-moi chéri
Chéri je t'aime
Tjéni né bifé
Ka na ta ka né to
Serre-moi dans ta main
Ka na né maloya
Embrasse-moi chéri
Ka na né maloya
Chéri je t'aime (x2)
@yaminamrs453
Merci :)
@vishsri
Thank you thank you... This song and the melody ...is like a streak from the skies
@savi3sounds
this music is so beautiful. I can't understand a word of it but it sounds wonderful.
@funwithFred
Right?! Goes to your soul. And went to "Google Translate" the lyrics, and Google translate doesn't translate this dialect French, lol......I think I got one line. Love the music of Mali........right to the soul.
@avatarlhamo3063
funwithFred it's absolutely not any french dialect ^^' it's an african language even if there is sometimes french translation of her african phrases i can hear in this order "c'est moi dans ta main" (it's me in your hand), "embrasse moi chéri" (kiss me darling) "chéri je t'aime" ("darling i love you")
Because they are both blind i feel these simple words like "it's me in your hand" very powerfull)
@rapini7148
In Canada myself and don't understand a word, but I can't stop coming back to this album.