Bertrand Cantat (born in Pau, France, March 5th 1964) is a French singer an… Read Full Bio ↴Bertrand Cantat (born in Pau, France, March 5th 1964) is a French singer and songwriter. He is the leader of the rock band Noir Désir. He served a prison sentence and was released in October 2007.Together with Pascal Humbert he founded the band Détroit in 2012.

At the helm of Noir Désir, he became one of the most prominent figures of French music in the 90s. His left leaning political views saw him take position against globalisation, desertification of urban areas in Bordeaux and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

In July 2003, while rowing with his girlfriend Marie Trintignant in a hotel apartment in Vilnius, Lithuania, he punched her repeatedly, which resulted in her falling into a coma and eventually dying few days later. This death caused considerable emotion in France. Nadine Trintignant, Marie's mother, actively sought a heavy sentence; Cantat's friends claimed he had been out of his mind and had not intended to cause harm. He was sentenced in March of 2004 to 8 years in prison for murder committed with indirect intent. The verdict was at first appealed by Marie's family, then by Bertrand Cantat, but both parties ultimately decided to cancel their appeals, which rendered the first 8 years judgment final. At the request of his lawyers, Cantat was moved from a Lithuanian prison to a prison near Muret, France on September 28, 2004.
His house in Landes was burned down on September 11, 2003. Many suspect this was related to the death of Marie Trintignant.Cantat has been released early due to good behaviour at october 16th 2007, and immediatly retreated to his house near Bordeaux, not leaving any time for interviews about his musical future.

In 2013 Détroit released their debut album Horizons, followed by a live album in 2014.

Maybe I
Bertrand Cantat Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Battaillons of sleepy angels
Waiting for the fallen prince
We come across the never-ending tunnel
Kiss the rod and do our best

If you need me, maybe I
If you're lonely, will I try?

Time to be scratched from the race
Or place to be sprayed by the blast
Is your faith a suffering bird

That will never fly again?

If you need me, maybe I
If you're lonely, will I try?

If your hope is falling apart
As deep as the pit can be
Shall I come a bit closer to the storm
Will you dare to share with me?

If you're lonely, maybe I
If you need me, will I try?

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from Bertrand Cantat's song "Maybe I" convey a sense of longing and empathy towards someone who is in a state of despair or loneliness. The first stanza describes an army or group of "sleepy angels" waiting for a fallen prince, possibly symbolizing a collective longing for salvation or redemption. The reference to a never-ending tunnel implies a feeling of being stuck or trapped, while "kissing the rod" suggests accepting punishment or hardship and doing one's best to endure it.

The chorus reflects a willingness to be there for someone in need. The repeated lines "If you need me, maybe I / If you're lonely, will I try?" express a sense of uncertainty and hesitation, as if contemplating if one's presence or effort can truly make a difference. It could also imply a recognition of one's limitations in helping others and the potential risks involved.

The second stanza introduces the idea of removing oneself from the pressures of society or the constraints of a competitive race. The line "Time to be scratched from the race" suggests a desire to step away and find peace, while "place to be sprayed by the blast" could allude to willingly experiencing turbulence or chaos. The question posed about faith being a suffering bird that may never fly again reflects doubt and questioning of one's beliefs or hopes.

In the final part of the lyrics, the focus turns towards the listener's experience. The mention of hope falling apart as deep as a pit reflects a profound sense of despair or loss. "Shall I come a bit closer to the storm / Will you dare to share with me?" implies a willingness to approach someone going through difficulties, asking if they would be open to sharing their burdens or struggles. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the uncertain nature of these offers of support and whether they will be taken up or embraced.

Overall, these lyrics convey a mixture of vulnerability, empathy, and a desire to be there for someone in need, while also acknowledging the limitations of one's ability to truly alleviate their pain. There is a sense of wrestling with questions of faith, hope, and the complexities of human connection.

Line by Line Meaning

Battaillons of sleepy angels
A large number of tired and passive angels

Waiting for the fallen prince
Waiting for their leader who has lost his way

We come across the never-ending tunnel
Encountering a constant and unending struggle

Kiss the rod and do our best
Accepting punishment and striving to succeed

If you need me, maybe I
I might be there for you if you require my help

If you're lonely, will I try?
Will I attempt to alleviate your loneliness?

Time to be scratched from the race
Time to remove oneself from the competition

Or place to be sprayed by the blast
Or choose to be affected by the destructive forces

Is your faith a suffering bird
Is your belief system fragile and in pain

That will never fly again?
That will never regain its strength and freedom

If you need me, maybe I
I might be there for you if you require my help