As hard rock and funk fans, Zdar (Philippe) and Boom-Bass (Hubert) first made their mark producing and engineering the sound sought by hip-hop artists - their great passion of the early ‘90s. But the raves Zdar attended converted him to house music and, with Etienne de Crécy, he founded Motorbass. British media opinion surveys chose Motorbass’s “Pansoul” as one of the year’s best albums, all styles combined.
BoomBass was soon infected by the techno speed-up, and hooked up with Zdar for a new project, called Cassius. The duo’s first album, 1999, is a collection of instrumental tracks recorded over the two previous years.
Their first single was Foxxy, a self-published track, in 1996. In January 1999, they released their first hit single Cassius 1999 on Virgin Records, entering the UK Top 40 chart at number seven. This was soon followed by their debut album, 1999, which had two more single released from it, Feeling For You and La Mouche.
2002 saw their second album release, Au Rêve. This featured the feverish "empowered female disco" track I'm A Woman, with Jocelyn Brown on vocals, as well as the hit single The Sound Of Violence, featuring Steve Edwards on vocals. This album also had collaborations with Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah and Leroy Burgess.
Cassius returned to the studio in 2006, for the more experimental single Toop Toop, but the next album, titled 15 Again, featured more vocal collaborations than the duo had done with Au Rêve.
While rehearsing their 15 Again album tour, Cassius provided the community with the a cappella track of their single Toop Toop and encouraged fans and friends to start remixing the song. It became an immediate success: the band started the Cassius Workshop project and released more a cappellas for remixing purposes. They claim to have received more than 400 remixes.
On 19 June 2019, two days before the release of Cassius's fifth album Dreems, Zdar died after falling from a building in Paris. He was 52 years old. On the release day of Dreems, the band announced that the album was the final album from Cassius.
(2) Cassius formed in the winter of 2003 in Richmond, Virginia. Drawing members from previous local bands, the band began writing new material and playing regional shows. After many setbacks and line up changes, Cassius decided it was time to buckle down and get serious. After recording their debut full length I Am Jim Jones with Chris Dowhan from Red Planet Studios (Scarlet / Twelve Tribes / Black Dahlia Murder), Cassius cancelled the lease on their apartment, bought a van and trailer and began booking whatever tours they could. Hard work and strong friendships brought them to their current position and with focus and determination, Cassius are hell bent on making themselves a house hold name within the metal and hardcore community. Despite not having a record to tour on previously, Cassius has already completed successful tours with bands like Ed Gein, Misery Signals, Ion Dissonance, Through The Eyes Of The Dead, and Despised Icon to name a few.
They signed to Lifeforce Records, and released I Am Jim Jones in January 2007.
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1999
Cassius Lyrics
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Mca Demos
1999
It's a very special kind of life
no one's really quite sure about their situation
It's a very funny kind of life
the only thing we're positive about is the duration
now they are standing right before you
he's a very special kind of guy
when he crosses the street he looks in both directions
he's a very special kind of guy
and you're always wondering if he's lost his senses
she's a very special kind of girl
and her mother's recipes have made a good thing famous
she's a very special kind of girl
and she's always up in arms if he's late for breakfast
now they are standing right before you
how they were here before you
he's a very special kind of guy
when you hear him on the air you think he's lost his section
she's a special special kind of girl
when you see her in the street you want to raise objection
now they are standing right before you
how they were here before you
It's a very special kind of life
no one's really knows the truth about the situation
It's a very funny kind of life
the only thing we're positive about is the duration
The song "1999" by Cassius talks about a very special and funny kind of life that no one fully understands. The lyrics talk about how people are uncertain about their situation and the only thing that is positive is the duration of their lives. The song's lyrics also depict how people are different from one another, including their habits and personalities. There are mentions of a guy who looks in both directions when crossing the street, a girl whose mother's recipes have made a good thing famous, and another girl who is always up in arms if her partner is late for breakfast.
There seems to be a sense of wonder and amazement in the lyrics about how people come into your life, and you are never quite sure how they ended up being there. The themes of uncertainty and uniqueness are apparent throughout the song, and the lyrics also express how we all perceive life differently. While one person may see it as being special and funny, it may not be the same for another person. "1999" is a song that highlights the complexities of individuality, friendship, and the mystery of how we all end up in each other's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a very special kind of life
Life is unique and unlike anything else
no one's really quite sure about their situation
People are uncertain about their circumstances
It's a very funny kind of life
Life is strange and unpredictable
the only thing we're positive about is the duration
The only certainty in life is that it will end
now they are standing right before you
The people being referred to are present
how they were here before you
It is unclear how these people came to be present
he's a very special kind of guy
This man is unique and distinct
when he crosses the street he looks in both directions
He takes precautions and is aware of his surroundings
and you're always wondering if he's lost his senses
He appears unpredictable and strange to others
she's a very special kind of girl
This woman is unique and stands out
and her mother's recipes have made a good thing famous
Her family's cooking is popular and well-known
and she's always up in arms if he's late for breakfast
She is easily upset if things do not meet her expectations
he's a very special kind of guy
This man is unique and distinct
when you hear him on the air you think he's lost his section
His behavior on the radio seems unusual or erratic
she's a special special kind of girl
This woman is exceptional and stands out even more
when you see her in the street you want to raise objection
Her appearance or behavior draws attention or criticism from others
It's a very special kind of life
Life is unique and unlike anything else
no one's really knows the truth about the situation
The true nature of things is uncertain or unclear
It's a very funny kind of life
Life is strange and unpredictable
the only thing we're positive about is the duration
The only certainty in life is that it will end
Writer(s): Cassius
Contributed by Lucy S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@oscarestivencarabalyherrer1279
I'll never forget about you! From France 🇫🇷 R.I.P. Philippe Zdar 🙏🏿✝
@gregsmith451
I would do anything to go back to '99.
I was 24 years old and life was awesome!!!
This was an anthem!
@blackou6018
i'm 19 et honestly i understand a lot what you mean
@damomoto
I was 19 and living away from home and it was the best time in my life - ah memories
@motan7864
I was 14 back then, they were the best days in my life as well, from a music perspective it was the golden age of the french house, with them, daft punk, air, modjo, good french rap, and crazy british bands like prodigy, chemical brothers, basement jaxx, fat boy slim... back then school was easy, good marks, good girlfriends, racking up headshots in counter strike with the boys at the internet café ... I wanna go back in time 😭
@whipper4
It's a belter
@putsomehotsauceonmyburrito3407
i was 19 in '99, and yes i would love to go back
@sveta7040
I'm really surprised this song isn't as popular as some other songs from this period. I have always loved it and thought it was a top track from the Golden Age of House
@doblueangel
That's true... in France, this song was very often broadcast on some radio stations 😉
@neyney1363
Crazy Blue Angel top des sons 💪