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
Naive Derviche
Arthur H Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Naïve derviche
Tourne tourne
Sorcière
Tourne tourne
Naïve derviche
Tourne tourne
LégèreQuand tu tournes tu es blanche
Quand tu tournes tu es jaune
Quand tu tournes tu es rouge
Quand tu tournes tu es vivante
Quand tu tournes tu es bandante
Quand tu tournes tu es blanche
Quand tu tournes tu es noireTourne tourne
Naïve derviche
Tourne tourne
Sorcière
Tourne tourne
Naïve derviche
Tourne tourne
LégèreC'est comme ça
Que l'on marche droit
Dans cette vie
A l'envers
The song "Naïve Derviche" by Arthur H is a poetic exploration of the dervish figure, who spins around in ecstatic dance as a form of spiritual devotion. The lyrics use the metaphor of spinning to describe aspects of the dervish's character and experience, including their fluidity and changing colors. The repetition of the phrase "tourne tourne" (spin spin) reinforces the sense of motion and transformation that is central to the dervish's practice.
The dervish is described as both "naive" and a "sorceress," suggesting a dual nature that is both innocent and powerful. The playful use of language in the line "Quand tu tournes tu es bandante" (when you spin you are seductive) adds a touch of humor and sexuality to the song, while also acknowledging the erotic dimension of the dervish's dance. Overall, the song celebrates the dervish as a figure of spiritual and creative inspiration.
Line by Line Meaning
Tourne tourne
Refrain: Spin, spin
Naïve derviche
Verse 1: Naive dervish (a Sufi Muslim ascetic who spins in prayer)
Tourne tourne
Refrain: Spin, spin
Sorcière
Refrain: Witch
Tourne tourne
Refrain: Spin, spin
Naïve derviche
Verse 2: Naive dervish
Tourne tourne
Refrain: Spin, spin
Légère
Refrain: Light
Quand tu tournes tu es blanche
Chorus: When you spin you're white
Quand tu tournes tu es noire
Chorus: When you spin you're black
Quand tu tournes tu es jaune
Chorus: When you spin you're yellow
Quand tu tournes tu es rouge
Chorus: When you spin you're red
Quand tu tournes tu es vivante
Chorus: When you spin you're alive
Quand tu tournes tu es bandante
Chorus: When you spin you're sexy
Quand tu tournes tu es blanche
Chorus: When you spin you're white
Quand tu tournes tu es noire
Chorus: When you spin you're black
Tourne tourne
Refrain: Spin, spin
Naïve derviche
Verse 1: Naive dervish
Tourne tourne
Refrain: Spin, spin
Sorcière
Refrain: Witch
Tourne tourne
Refrain: Spin, spin
Naïve derviche
Verse 2: Naive dervish
Tourne tourne
Refrain: Spin, spin
Légère
Refrain: Light
C'est comme ça
Bridge: That's how we walk straight
Que l'on marche droit
Bridge: In this upside-down life
Contributed by Victoria S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.