Amadou and Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Maria… Read Full Bio ↴Amadou and Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Mariam Doumbia (vocals) (born in Mali's capital Bamako 15 April 1958) and Amadou Bagayoko (guitar and vocals) (born in Bamako 24 October 1954). The pair, known as "the blind couple from Mali" met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an interest in music.

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

Sans Toi
Amadou & Mariam Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, je t′aime,
Oh, je t'aime,
Oh, je t′aime,
Oh, je t'aime.

Je ne peux pas danser sans toi,
Je peux pas chanter sans toi,
Je ne peux pas sortir sans toi,

Je peux pas dormir sans toi,
Je ne peux pax manger sans toi,
Je peux pas voyager sans toi.

Oh, je t'aime,
Oh, je t′aime,
Oh, je t′aime,
Oh, je t'aime.

Sans toi, sans toi,
Je ne peux rien faire.
Sans toi, sans toi,
Je ne peux rien faire.
Sans toi, sans toi,
Je ne peux rien faire.
Sans toi, sans toi,
Je ne peux rien faire...
Mon amour,
Je ne peux rien faire,
Mon amour,
Je ne peux rien faire.

Oh, je t′aime.
Tu es la lumiere de ma vie.
Oh, je t'aime.
Tu es le soleil de ma journee.
Oh, je t′aime.
Je t'aime, je t′aime,
Je t'aime, je t'adore!

Tu es ma seule confidante.
Oh, je t′aime.
Tu es mon seul espoir.
Oh, je t′aime.
Je t'aime, je t′aime!
Oh, je t'aime.
Je t′aime, je t'adore!
Oh, je t′aime.

Je ne peux rien faire,

Je ne peux rien faire,
Je ne peux rien faire.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Amadou & Mariam's song Sans Toi are a passionate declaration of love and dependence on the one they love. The repeated phrase of "Oh, je t'aime" (Oh, I love you) emphasizes the depth of the singer's feelings.

The verses list various activities that the singer cannot do without their beloved, including dancing, singing, sleeping, and traveling. These activities are things that are typically done alone or with others, but the singer cannot do them without their partner. The refrain of "Sans toi, sans toi, je ne peux rien faire" (Without you, without you, I can't do anything) reinforces this theme of dependence and highlights the idea that the singer's life is incomplete without their loved one.

The bridge of the song describes the partner as the "light of my life" and the "sun of my day." The singer also refers to their partner as their confidante and their hope, further emphasizing the importance of this person in the singer's life.

Overall, Sans Toi is a song about the all-encompassing love that fills every part of the singer's life and the dependence they have on their partner. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and incompleteness without their loved one, making it a powerful testament to the power of love.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, je t′aime,
Expressing love and affection to the partner

Oh, je t'aime,
Expressing love and affection to the partner

Oh, je t′aime,
Expressing love and affection to the partner

Oh, je t'aime.
Expressing love and affection to the partner

Je ne peux pas danser sans toi,
Unable to dance without the partner

Je peux pas chanter sans toi,
Unable to sing without the partner

Je ne peux pas sortir sans toi,
Unable to go out without the partner

Je peux pas dormir sans toi,
Unable to sleep without the partner

Je ne peux pax manger sans toi,
Unable to eat without the partner

Je peux pas voyager sans toi.
Unable to travel without the partner

Sans toi, sans toi,
Continuously emphasizing the importance of the partner in life