Sous la Plage
Benoît Pioulard Lyrics
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Oh the sieve & the skein
Is it to say it's all distraction & none of it matters
Once our pyres are gone & we're all scattered
I've a layer of film & a coat of dust
Made solid in the kiln with a smile bent in rust
So what do you see
With every one an excuse for silent clatters
The clouds & dark horizon lines leave the day in tatters
My timely thoughts undo the knots in the hopes we used to flay
Oh so what do you say
Arranged in rows all paving stones hold delicate patterns
Amended once or twice I don't think this one will shatter
I've a layer of film & a coat of dust
Made solid in the kiln with a smile bent in rust
& centered on a heart selling platelets south
With lots of softer parts that fail from the mouth
By the time it pines, a line so fine is drawn in mine
Oh so rise & shine to know you'll find the clearest kind
Half a world around, a sleeping love began aloud
But dormant in a shroud, to find its source we formed a crowd
The opening lines of Benoît Pioulard's Sous la Plage lament the disillusionment and disenchantment that often accompany growing up and realizing that the world isn't quite as idyllic as we once thought. The "vision so cold as the one born in between" suggests a sense of being caught in the middle, between naivete and cynicism, and feeling the chill of that realization. The sieve and the skein, or the two methods of separating wheat from chaff, suggest a process of trying to sort out what is important from what is distracting, while also questioning whether any of it really matters in the end. The reference to pyres and being scattered hints at mortality and the futility of worldly pursuits in the face of death.
The second verse continues the themes of decay and disillusionment, with the singer describing himself as having "a layer of film & a coat of dust / Made solid in the kiln with a smile bent in rust." This suggests a sense of being hardened or calcified by experience, but also a kind of brittle fragility, as if the smile is frozen or forced. The melted frames and plying games refer to the ways in which we craft stories or narratives to make sense of the world, but these constructions can feel hollow or false. The clouds and dark horizon lines suggest a sense of foreboding or melancholy that hangs over even the brightest days.
The final stanza shifts in tone slightly, with the singer describing himself as "centered on a heart selling platelets south / With lots of softer parts that fail from the mouth." This suggests a sense of wanting to do good or be a helpful person, but also feeling as though one's efforts fall short or aren't enough. The line "half a world around, a sleeping love began aloud / But dormant in a shroud, to find its source we formed a crowd" is perhaps the most enigmatic of the song, but it seems to reference the idea that love or passion can lie dormant or hidden, but can be awakened or brought to light by the collective efforts of others.
Line by Line Meaning
To have always been sold a vision so cold as the one born in between
From the beginning, we've been faced with a bleak and unfulfilling worldview.
Oh the sieve & the skein
We're constantly trying to sift through and make sense of the world and our experiences.
Is it to say it's all distraction & none of it matters
The question arises of whether everything we focus on is just a way to avoid the reality that nothing truly makes a difference.
Once our pyres are gone & we're all scattered
When we die and are gone, what mark will we have left on the world?
I've a layer of film & a coat of dust
Made solid in the kiln with a smile bent in rust
My experiences have worn me down, hardening me so that I can't really feel anything anymore.
These melted frames & plying games will not set a light in me
I have tried to find meaning in material possessions and shallow pursuits, but they do not bring me joy or fulfillment.
So what do you see
With every one an excuse for silent clatters
The clouds & dark horizon lines leave the day in tatters
When we look around us, we see chaos and confusion. People often speak without really communicating, and the world can be a dreary and disheartening place.
My timely thoughts undo the knots in the hopes we used to flay
Oh so what do you say
I try to stay positive and hopeful, and to find ways to untangle the obstacles that prevent us from reaching our goals.
Arranged in rows all paving stones hold delicate patterns
Amended once or twice I don't think this one will shatter
We may encounter difficulties in life, but we can overcome them and develop resilience. Even as we face setbacks, we can find beauty in the patterns that emerge.
I've a layer of film & a coat of dust
Made solid in the kiln with a smile bent in rust
& centered on a heart selling platelets south
With lots of softer parts that fail from the mouth
Despite the hardness that I have acquired through my experiences, I still have a tender heart that can be vulnerable and exposed. I may try to hide my emotions, but I still have many weaknesses and uncertainties.
By the time it pines, a line so fine is drawn in mine
Oh so rise & shine to know you'll find the clearest kind
As time passes, I become more introspective, and my outlook on life becomes clearer and more refined. I try to stay positive and optimistic, knowing that good things will come if I keep working towards my goals.
Half a world around, a sleeping love began aloud
But dormant in a shroud, to find its source we formed a crowd
There is a love that exists in the world, but it is often hidden or suppressed. We must come together to uncover this love and share it with others.
Contributed by Riley O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.