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
La Chanson De Satie
Arthur H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Monte le son plus fort,
Je veux sentir une dernière fois ton corps,
Contre moi.
Je pars en voyage,
Tu pars très longtemps,
Je vais t'oublier un peu
Je voulais te dire que je t'aime encore,
Tu voulais me dire que tu m'aimes encore.
Je t'en prie chante moi,
Cette vielle air française,
Cette mélodie d'Éric Satie, Je crois que c'est ça.
Je voulais te dire encore
Je voulais te dire que je t'aime encore,
Tu voulais me dire que tu m'aimes encore.
Tu pars en voyage,
Je pars très longtemps,
Tu vas m'oublier,
C'est sûr c'est certain.
Rapproche toi de moi
Monte le son plus fort
Tu voulais me dire
Oui que je t'aime encore
Que tu m'aimes encore
Que tu m'aimes encore.
The lyrics of Arthur H's "La Chanson de Satie" tell the story of two lovers who are about to be separated for some time. The singer asks his lover to come closer to him, turn up the music, and embrace him one last time. He acknowledges that they will both embark on separate journeys, but he hopes to hold on to the memories of their love. He asks his lover to sing for him the melody of an old French song by Eric Satie, possibly as a way to hold on to the love that they shared.
The lyrics are emotional and raw, and they capture the pain of separation in a poignant way. The repetition of the phrase "Je voulais te dire que je t'aime encore / Tu voulais me dire que tu m'aimes encore" (I wanted to tell you that I love you still / You wanted to tell me that you love me still) highlights the intensity of the love that they shared and creates a sense of yearning and loss.
Overall, "La Chanson de Satie" is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the complexities of love and separation.
Line by Line Meaning
Approche toi de moi,
Come closer to me,
Monte le son plus fort,
Turn up the volume louder,
Je veux sentir une dernière fois ton corps,
I want to feel your body one last time,
Contre moi.
Pressed up against me.
Je pars en voyage,
I'm going on a journey,
Tu pars très longtemps,
You're going away for a long time,
Je vais t'oublier un peu
I'll forget you a little bit,
c'est sûr c'est certain.
It's sure, it's certain.
Je voulais te dire que je t'aime encore,
I wanted to tell you that I still love you,
Tu voulais me dire que tu m'aimes encore.
You wanted to tell me that you still love me.
Je t'en prie chante moi,
Please sing to me,
Cette vielle air française,
This old French tune,
Cette mélodie d'Éric Satie, Je crois que c'est ça.
This melody of Eric Satie, I think that's it.
Tu pars en voyage,
You're going on a journey,
Je pars très longtemps,
I'm going away for a long time,
Tu vas m'oublier,
You're going to forget about me,
C'est sûr c'est certain.
It's sure, it's certain.
Rapproche toi de moi
Come closer to me,
Monte le son plus fort
Turn up the volume louder,
Tu voulais me dire
You wanted to tell me,
Oui que je t'aime encore
Yes, that you still love me,
Que tu m'aimes encore
That you still love me,
Que tu m'aimes encore.
That you still love me.
Contributed by London L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.