Arthur H first performed in 1988 in clubs in Paris, as leader of a trio with bassist Brad Scott and drummer Paul Jothy. His first album, Arthur H (1990), combined rhythmic experimentation and bal-musette elements with a vocal style which has been compared to Tom Waits. He toured widely around this time, particularly in France and Japan, adding a fourth band member, Jon Handelsman (saxophone), and produced a second album, Bachibouzouk (1992). In early 1993, he did a six week season at the Magic Mirrors, an antique circus big top, which was later put on as a touring show and recorded on the live album En chair et en os. In 1996, he released the album Trouble Fête, following which he performed a season at the Gymnase in Paris. The live album Fête Trouble (1997) included some tracks from these shows as well as others recorded on tour in Africa. He toured the USA and Canada in 1998.
In 2000, he wrote the soundtrack for Michel Couvelard’s film, Inséparables, before touring in Asia and Canada. His next album, Pour Madame X (2000), featured the touring band of Nicolas Repac (guitar), Brad Scott (double bass) and Laurent Robin (drums). In 2001, he took part in the show "Cabaret Imprudent" with "Le Cirque Cahin-caha". The following year, he released the album Piano Solo, recorded live in a studio and mainly consisting of solo interpretations of earlier songs. This was followed by a band album, Négresse Blanche (2003), comprising tracks dedicated to the memory of famous women such as "Marilyn Kaddish" and "Bo Derek". In 2005, a planned tour of China was cancelled, and he returned to the studio to record the album Adieu Tristesse. This was the most commercially successful of his career, and included several duets, one with his father and another, "Est-ce que tu aimes?", with the musician -M- (Matthieu Chedid). He subsequently toured widely in France, Lebanon and Canada. In 2006 he published a book, "Onirique attaque", containing lyrics, reflections and photographs. He also composed the soundtrack for the film "L’homme qui rêvait d'un enfant", directed by Delphine Gleize. The soundtrack was performed by an ensemble of children from a local music school. The album "Show Time", issued late in 2006, was recorded live on tour and includes duets with Matthieu Chedid, Pauline Croze, Lhasa de Sela and Jacques Higelin. In June 2008 he released the album "L'Homme du Monde".
Discography
* 1990 : Arthur H
* 1991 : Cool Jazz (remixes)
* 1992 : Bachibouzouk
* 1993 : En chair et en os (live)
* 1996 : Trouble-Fête
* 1997 : Fête Trouble (live)
* 1999 : Inséparables (soundtrack)
* 2000 : Pour Madame X
* 2002 : Piano Solo (live)
* 2003 : Négresse Blanche
* 2005 : Adieu Tristesse
* 2006 : Show Time (live)
* 2008 : L'Homme du Monde
www.arthurh.net
L'Amoureux
Arthur H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
J'aime les chapeaux
J'aime les boxeurs
J'aime la chaleur
J'aime , j'aime
J'aime les voitures
J'aime les grandes femmes
J'aime les areoports
J'aime ,oui j'aime
J'ame tes couleurs
J'aime ta paleur
J'aime les matins de brume
Le soleil et la lune
J'aime ,oui j'aime
J'aime le verglas
J'aime les iris
J'aime les autoroutes
Mais qu'est ce que tu veux que ca me foute !
The lyrics of Arthur H's song L'Amoureux express a deep appreciation for a wide range of things. The singer expresses their love for unusual things like "les idios" (idiots), as well as more common things like "les voitures" (cars) and "les grandes femmes" (tall women). The repetition of "J'aime" (I love) throughout the song emphasizes the intense passion the singer feels.
The lyrics also mention nature, with the singer loving "les matins de brume" (foggy mornings) and both the sun and moon. However, even when the singer expresses love for things that might seem odd or out of place, there is a hint of self-awareness in the line "Mais qu'est-ce que tu veux que ça me foute!" (But what do you want me to care!) at the end of the song, indicating that the singer might not really be bothered about other people's opinions.
Overall, the lyrics to L'Amoureux celebrate the beauty and wonder of the world in all its diversity.
Line by Line Meaning
J'aime les idios
I love peculiarities or eccentricities.
J'aime les chapeaux
I love hats.
J'aime les boxeurs
I love boxers or fighters.
J'aime la chaleur
I love warmth or heat.
J'aime , j'aime
I love, I love.
J'aime les voitures
I love cars.
J'aime les arthur
I love Arthurs (perhaps referring to a person named Arthur).
J'aime les grandes femmes
I love tall women.
J'aime les areoports
I love airports.
J'aime ,oui j'aime
I love, yes I love.
J'ame tes couleurs
I love your colors.
J'aime ta paleur
I love your paleness or fairness.
J'aime les matins de brume
I love misty mornings.
Le soleil et la lune
The sun and the moon.
J'aime ,oui j'aime
I love, yes I love.
J'aime le verglas
I love black ice or freezing rain.
J'aime les iris
I love irises (the flowers).
J'aime les autoroutes
I love highways.
Mais qu'est ce que tu veux que ca me foute !
But what do you want me to do about it! (Perhaps indicating a lack of concern for others' opinions.)
Contributed by David Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.