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
Lady X
Arthur H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ta peau de fête foraine
Parfumée à l'extasy
À la neige, à la cannelle
Ta peau de train fantôme
Oh, my lady
Aussi bonne que Jésus Christ
Oh, my lady
Petit sexe de sucre
Ma gazelle galactique
Avec son miel d'étoile
Petit sexe de sel
Oh, my lady
Aussi bonne que Jésus Christ
Aussi douce que Marilyn
Ma fleur de Tchernobyl
En douce, tu m'irradies
Tu fissures mon bunker
Petite mutante, jolie fleur
Oh, my lady
Aussi bonne que Jésus Christ
Aussi douce que Marilyn.
In Arthur H's song "Lady X," the lyrics describe the singer's admiration and adoration for his lover. The song begins with the description of her skin, which is compared to that of a carnival, scented with ecstasy, snow, and cinnamon. The next verse compares her to iconic figures of goodness and sweetness, namely Jesus Christ and Marilyn Monroe. The third verse talks about her genitalia, comparing it to sugar and salt, and refers to her as a galactic gazelle, with honey from the stars.
The final verse continues to describe Lady X in somewhat unconventional terms. He compares her to a flower from Chernobyl, as she "softly irradiates" him and "cracks his bunker." She is referred to as a "pretty mutant," who nonetheless exerts a strong hold over the singer. Throughout the song, the lyrics suggest that Lady X represents a kind of irresistible, otherworldly beauty, and that the singer is completely captivated by her.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, my lady
Addressing a woman of interest
Ta peau de fête foraine
Your skin is like a fairground, playful and lively
Parfumée à l'extasy
Scented with ecstasy, a drug that provides extreme pleasure
À la neige, à la cannelle
Smelling of snow and cinnamon, which are refreshing sensations
Ta peau de train fantôme
Your skin is like a ghost train because it evokes mystery and adventure
Aussi bonne que Jésus Christ
As good as Jesus Christ, a statement of admiration and devotion
Aussi douce que Marilyn
As gentle as Marilyn Monroe, a reference to her soft voice and sensuality
Petit sexe de sucre
Sweet little sex, a term of endearment
Ma gazelle galactique
My cosmic gazelle, a comparison to a graceful, fast animal
Avec son miel d'étoile
With her star honey, a reference to her sweet essence
Petit sexe de sel
Salty little sex, a continuation of the previous term of endearment
Ma fleur de Tchernobyl
My Tchernobyl flower, a reference to a dangerous yet beautiful creation
En douce, tu m'irradies
Softly, you irradiate me, a reference to their intimate connection
Tu fissures mon bunker
You crack my bunker, a symbol of his emotional armor being broken
Petite mutante, jolie fleur
Little mutant, pretty flower, a paradoxical way of describing her unique beauty
Contributed by Stella C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.