Bérurier noir is a French punk band formed in Paris in 1983 by Loran (guita… Read Full Bio ↴Bérurier noir is a French punk band formed in Paris in 1983 by Loran (guitar), François (vocals) and Dédé (drum machine). They called themselves "noir" (black) for the color of mourning (because their first concert was planned to be also their last) and for anarchy and "Bérurier" after the character from the novels of Frédéric Dard. Instead of being an end, the success of their first show inspired them to continue. A cult band, Bérurier Noir were loved by a generation of youth and feared by concert organisers for the riots that followed their shows.

On the one hand, Bérurier Noir's music was clearly derived from British punk rock as far as music and lyrics were concerned. Most of their songs were short, aggressive and usually based on a couple of basic power chords. Their lyrics reflected the typical concerns of punks such as the rejection of consumerism, politics and traditional social order and the anger felt by disaffected youth, tramps and outsiders in general. On the other, they added some interesting innovations. Their rhythm section consisted of a cheap drum machine, which became an essential and arguably endearing part of their sound. The frequent use of a saxophone as of the mid-eighties also set them apart from most other punk rock bands.

They would regularly appear on record sleeves and on stage wearing clown outfits, mock police uniforms or pig masks. Their shows were a unique and highly festive cross between a punk rock concert, a grotesque circus and an anarchist rally.

By 1985, the band had grown to include François Guillemot (vocals), Loran (guitar), Pascal kung fu (saxophone), Helno (backing vocals), Laul aka Bol (backing vocals), la grande Titi (backing vocals), la petite Titi (backing vocals).

By 1987: François Guillemot (vocals), Loran (guitar), Masto (saxophone), Helno (backing vocals), Laul aka Bol (backing vocals), la grande Titi (backing vocals), la petite Titi (backing vocals).

By 1989: François Guillemot (vocals), Loran (guitar), Masto (saxophone), la petite Titi (backing vocals), Jojo (fire breather and backing vocals).

The band refused to make a profit and also to work. As a result, they lived precariously. In 1989, after three farewell concerts at the Paris Olympia, they disbanded. François later formed Molodoï and "François Béru et les Anges Déchus", Loran formed Ze6, Tromatism and later A.D. (Division de la horde).

On December 4, 2003, they reunited for the release of a DVD documenting their career. The concert took place in the context of the Transmusicales in Rennes. They have since played other concerts, in Quebec and in Belgium.

http://beruriernoir.fr/

Soleil noir
Bérurier Noir Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Au fond du H.L.M.
De la cité Staline
Se cache une fillette
Qui s'ennuie à mourir
Tous ses copains se droguent
Alors elle fait pareil
Et sans savoir pourquoi
Elle ne se contrôle pas

Mais elle a toujours froid
Il n'y a pas de soleil
"J'me sens bien avec ça"
Une éclipse est en elle
Et pour se réchauffer
Elle danse avec la mort
Ca la fait délirer
Toujours un peu plus fort

Au fond du H.L.M.
De cette cité poubelle
Se cache une fillette
Qui s'ennuie à mourir
C'est hier qu'elle est morte
Avec ses 15 ans
Ses copains qui se droguent
L'appelaient Soleil Noir

Et on entend au loin
Qu'ils appellent Soleil Noir
Ils jouent avec la mort
Toujours un peu plus fort
Du haut d'une falaise
Le vent qui les caresse

Depuis ils ont sauté
Rejoindre Soleil Noir...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Soleil Noir" by Bérurier Noir describe the sad and lonely life of a young girl who lives in a HLM (low-income housing) in the Staline city. She is surrounded by peers who use drugs, and therefore, she does the same as them. But even though she might not know why, she can't control herself. As she feels cold and there's no sun, she uses drugs as a way to warm herself up. She also dances with death to feel better as she goes deeper into drug abuse.

The girl's story ends up in tragedy, as she dies at the age of 15 while her peers, who also use drugs, call her "Soleil Noir" (Black Sun). The song ends with the image of her peers, who play with death by jumping from a cliff, calling her name, and joining her in death.

The lyrics of "Soleil Noir" reflect the reality of many young people in disadvantaged neighborhoods who are caught in the cycle of poverty, drugs, and hopelessness. Through this song, Bérurier Noir denounces the lack of opportunities and support for these youths, who are often left without any guidance or help to get out of their situations.

Line by Line Meaning

Au fond du H.L.M.
At the bottom of the H.L.M. (low-income housing project)

De la cité Staline
Of the Staline estate

Se cache une fillette
A girl is hiding

Qui s'ennuie à mourir
Who is bored to death

Tous ses copains se droguent
All of her friends are doing drugs

Alors elle fait pareil
So she does the same

Et sans savoir pourquoi
And without knowing why

Elle ne se contrôle pas
She can't control herself

Mais elle a toujours froid
But she's always cold

Il n'y a pas de soleil
There is no sun

"J'me sens bien avec ça"
"I feel good with that"