It all started with a double bass pla… Read Full Bio ↴Paris, France (2005 – present)
It all started with a double bass player, a guitarist and a violinist; all highly talented musicians who are really into swing, Django addicts who enjoy tinkering with electro. Their project swayed a singer, a clarinettist, a trombonist who doubles up on percussion and a guitarist who also acts as DJ. With their “Zazou” look (inspired by Parisian paleo-punks from the 1940s), they serve up festive, frantic music, an improbable futuristic and melodious Charleston fit for the dance floor. Caravan Palace is to swing what the Gotan Project is to tango.
It so often starts out like that: a gang of mates who’ve kicked around together for the past ten years and who each get into music off their own bat. In this case, it was Hugues on the violin, Arnaud on guitar and Carlos on the double bass. A shared craze for manouche jazz (gypsy-style jazz), played in its natural setting, bars. Relatively serious composition, with a Zeitgeist twist: DIY electro, house, dub and hip-hop.
What triggered it all was an order placed by a film production company: a soundtrack for silent porn films dating from the beginning of the 20th century! They trotted out all their talents. Our three heroes played the end result to some friendly listeners, the feedback persuaded them to drop their individual projects and come up with a repertory of their own. Because there was no question for them of reworking Django or giving swing a face-lift! If they were going to forge their own path, it had to be something completely fresh.
This was back in 2005: it would take them an entire year. At which point they met Loïc Barrouk, manager of the Café de la Danse, who was really keen on the project. He got them into the studio (recording with session musicians), and then got them some gigs. For that, they needed some reliable fellow travellers, so they surfed MySpace. Two months later, the troops had been mustered: Chapi (clarinet), Toustou (who plays trombone and beat synthing), Aurélien (alternating as guitarist and DJ) and, last but not least, petulant vocalist Colotis Zoé, every bit as sweet’n’saucy as her signature song “Jolie coquine”! Among the three pioneers, Hugues, the crazy one, has revealed a talent for frenzied scat, Arnaud and Carlos double up their instruments thanks to programming. All together, they composed a new repertory. The Caravan took off.
Caravan Palace’s secret is a supersonic buzz on the Internet (free promo) and a year on the road with hard-hitting concerts, even before they released their record. A prime example was their performance at the 2007 Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival, in Samois, where they wowed an audience who had never heard of them. Veterans from the classic manouche jazz scene were left speechless. The excellent Caravan Palace musicians, who are of course “gadjos” (non-gypsies), have breathed fresh air into the timeless swing scene without coming across as preachers. As well as listeners with curious ears, the Caravan also has its own following, a horde of fans totally into the electro vibe, who turn up at each of their concerts. Caravan Palace’s reputation has rippled beyond the frontiers too, with Europe eager to check them out.
The album has at last been set for release in October 2008, on the Wagram label. With Caravan Palace, the future of swing looks set to swing.
Ended With The Night
Caravan Palace Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Deep so deep red, on your cheeks,
when you turn your gaze on me.
Misty little lights, sparklin' little lights,
make your eyes so shadowy
Uncertainty and revelry,
on what you wished you've done,
and what you really did,
once your family's gone.
Death has ripped my willing flesh
of the night,
alright
for you.
A magic flight and the wildest ride,
ended with the night…
INSTRUMENTAL
Death has ripped my willing flesh
of the night,
alright
for you.
A magic flight and the widest ride,
ended with the night.
The lyrics of Caravan Palace's "Ended With The Night" convey a sense of uncertainty, nostalgia and loss. The song takes the form of a nostalgic lament about a night that has passed, possibly a night of revelry with a partner or an adventure with friends, that has now ended. The opening instrumental sets a dramatic, almost haunting tone that provides the listener with a sense of what's to come.
The lyrics describe a moment where the singer catches the gaze of someone they care about deeply. The person's cheeks are flushed, and their eyes are shadowy and uncertain, possibly indicating that they are conflicted about something. The singer is aware that something significant has happened between them and that it might be the last time they ever see the other person. The lyrics continue with the mention of death, which suggests the finality of what has happened. Death has taken away something from the singer, possibly an opportunity or a chance they had to do something or to be with someone, and they are left with a feeling of regret.
Overall, "Ended With The Night" is a hauntingly beautiful song with deep emotional resonance that speaks to the ephemeral nature of life and the fleeting moments of joy and love that we experience. The use of instrumental music coupled with poignant lyrics creates a powerful effect that leaves the listener with a sense of longing, nostalgia and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Deep so deep red, on your cheeks,
when you turn your gaze on me.
Your blushing red cheeks make your emotions clear to me when you look at me.
Misty little lights, sparklin' little lights,
make your eyes so shadowy
Your sparkling but hazy eyes are causing confusion in me.
Uncertainty and revelry,
on what you wished you've done,
and what you really did,
Hmmm...
once your family's gone.
You're unsure whether you did the right thing or not after losing your family.
Death has ripped my willing flesh
of the night,
alright
for you.
I have given myself to you completely, even in death.
A magic flight and the wildest ride,
ended with the night…
Our wild and magical journey has come to an end with the night.
Death has ripped my willing flesh
of the night,
alright
for you.
I have accepted death willingly for your sake.
A magic flight and the widest ride,
ended with the night.
Our journey was filled with ups and downs but it's over now.
Writer(s): Charles Delaporte, Sonia Fernandez Velasco, Hugues Payen de la Garanderie, Arnaud de Bosredon
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@catherineisley6298
Deep so deep red, on your cheeks,
when you turn your gaze on me.
Misty little lights, sparklin' little lights,
make your eyes so shadowy
Uncertainty and revelry,
on what you wished you've done,
and what you really did,
Hmmm...
once your family's gone.
Death has ripped my willing flesh
of the night,
alright
for you.
A magic flight and the wildest ride,
ended with the night...
INSTRUMENTAL
Death has ripped my willing flesh
of the night,
alright
for you.
A magic flight and the widest ride,
ended with the night.
@xChaosFlower
I fell asleep to this. Not in a bad way, but it's so relaxing
@wafflemanconsirap5660
Time to sleep
@TheZiiFamily
I’m doing the same rn too XD ima tired
@Jenny-tm3cm
Me at the end thinking about how you were asleep listening to this part 🎶
@Nightkrowler
You will love their "Lazy Place" then
@kristinaraven6363
Caravan Palace is my go-to for background writing music. It just gets me in the mood for storytelling, whatever type it may be
@liviemillie6455
I am in love with this. Sort of dark and whimsical at once, and so classy~
@Amber_Phoenix
This is absolutely beautiful!
@johnbigl5046
best voice in electro swing....
@diannebird9810
There is no part of this that isn't perfect. Zoe's voice...if I close my eyes I hear Billie Holiday......Thank you all so much..