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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Cassius Lyrics
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Point of view
Got no clue
Maybe let's pretend
Where you going
What you showing
Cash you blowing
Ticking, tocking
Weekend rocking
Fish in stocking
Electric shocking
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
When you see, a man doing his thing
Then see, he's got you
When you see a woman doing her thing, baby
Then you see she's on a hue, on a hue
She's on a clue, on a clue
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
In my side, in my mind, baby might you speak was right
Right? On an assy, got my posse
In my boat, and my goat
Going back in the woods, you're making mad in the woods
Got the city in the woods, getting lost in the woods
Working fine in a place
Show that right track in a place
Give my flash give me trick
Like a face in a race
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
When you see a man doing his thing
Then see, he's got his own
When you see another woman doing her thing
Always see she's on a hue, on a hue
Don't think, I'm a 70's baby
Don't think it could all be wrong
Don't you feel from the 1970's baby
All of them could be wrong
When you see a man on a street
Catcalling up to every she alone
When you see a man in the business baby
He never get called a bitch on his own
He never get called a bitch on his own
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Damn with you all these too,in this too
Don't you wanna see a woman baby doing
Don't you want her on her own
Don't you hear the sound of an animal calling
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
(Start all over again)
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
Don't you, don't you do
It takes two
Point of view
Got no chew
Maybe lets pretend
I point you
All got dew
And it's you
Start all over again
In my side, in my mind, baby might you speak was right
Right?
The song "Action" by Cassius, Cat Power, and Mike D is a highly enigmatic and atmospheric composition characterized by somewhat obscure, abstract lyrics, that make effective use of poetic imagery and patterns of repetition to create a sense of hypnotic tension and rumination. The song is introspective in nature, exploring themes of duality, individualism, and self-exploration. The lyrics contain a lot of ambiguity and leave ample room for the listener's interpretation.
The song's opening lines, "It takes two/ Point of view/ Got no clue/ Maybe let's pretend," suggest the importance of considering multiple perspectives, while also acknowledging that sometimes we don't fully understand what's happening around us, and must resort to imaginative role-playing. The following lines seem to evoke a sense of urban chaos, with references to cash being blown, faces being shown, and electric shocks.
The repeated refrain, "Don't you, don't you do," is directed at those who judge or criticize others, implying that everyone should be allowed to do their own thing and chart their own course. The lyrics also touch on the theme of gender equality, contrasting the way men and women are perceived and treated in various contexts, highlighting the double standards that exist in society.
Overall, "Action" by Cassius, Cat Power, and Mike D is a thought-provoking and evocative composition, that encourages reflection on fundamental aspects of human nature, such as identity, freedom, and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
It takes two
Both parties involved are responsible for the situation.
Point of view
The way in which someone sees or thinks about something.
Got no clue
Not having any knowledge or understanding about something.
Maybe let's pretend
Suggesting a hypothetical situation to avoid dealing with reality.
Where you going
Questioning someone's destination.
What you showing
Asking for clarification or explanation on what is being presented.
Cash you blowing
Asking about someone's expenses and spending habits.
Face you showing
The expression on someone's face that reveals their emotions or thoughts.
Ticking, tocking
The sound of a clock ticking, suggesting the passage of time.
Weekend rocking
Having fun on the weekend and enjoying oneself.
Fish in stocking
The image of a fish inside a stocking is nonsensical, likely indicating absurdity or playing with images.
Electric shocking
A sudden, intense sensation or impact that could jolt someone.
Don't you, don't you do
A repeating refrain, warning against certain actions that could have negative consequences.
When you see, a man doing his thing
Noting the actions of a man and his intentions.
Then see, he's got you
Acknowledging that his actions have captured your attention or affected you in some way.
When you see a woman doing her thing, baby
Witnessing a woman owning her actions and living life on her own terms.
Then you see she's on a hue, on a hue
Suggesting that a woman's actions align with her true self and personality.
She's on a clue, on a clue
Implying that a woman knows what she wants and how to achieve it.
In my side, in my mind, baby might you speak was right
Questioning whether someone's thoughts or reasoning are valid.
Right? On an assy, got my posse
Using slang and unclear language to suggest a gathering or group of people related to an event or activity.
In my boat, and my goat
Unclear imagery that could suggest ownership or involvement in something.
Going back in the woods, you're making mad in the woods
Suggesting frustration or confusion over a situation that is not easily resolved.
Got the city in the woods, getting lost in the woods
Unclear lyrics that could suggest being in an unfamiliar place or feeling lost in a certain area.
Working fine in a place
Suggesting that things are going well in a particular location or context.
Show that right track in a place
Suggesting that the correct path or direction is being taken in a certain situation.
Give my flash give me trick
Unclear lyrics that could suggest receiving something flashy or impressive, potentially related to somebody's actions.
Like a face in a race
Suggesting that someone's actions are motivated by competition or the desire to win.
When you see a man doing his thing
Repeating a previous line to emphasize the observation of a man's actions.
Then see, he's got his own
Recognizing a man's actions as unique to him as an individual, with his own motivations and goals.
When you see another woman doing her thing
Repeating a previous line to emphasize the observation of a woman's actions.
Always see she's on a hue, on a hue
Suggesting that the woman's actions are still aligned with her true self and personality.
Don't think, I'm a 70's baby
Dismissing the idea that age or upbringing determines someone's thoughts or actions.
Don't think it could all be wrong
Rejecting the notion that all ideas or perspectives are inherently flawed or incorrect.
Don't you feel from the 1970's baby
Again dismissing the idea that age or upbringing defines someone's perspective or actions.
All of them could be wrong
Suggesting that widespread beliefs or ideas could be misguided or incorrect.
When you see a man on a street
Observing a man's behavior in a public space.
Catcalling up to every she alone
Highlighting a negative behavior of a man, signaling his unwanted and inappropriate attention towards women in a public space.
When you see a man in the business baby
Observing a man in a professional setting.
He never get called a bitch on his own
Commenting on the double standard that exists when it comes to labeling men and women in the same profession.
Damn with you all these too,in this too
Unclear lyrics that could suggest frustration or annoyance with a particular situation.
Don't you wanna see a woman baby doing
Implying that everyone should want to witness a woman owning her actions and living life on her own terms.
Don't you want her on her own
Suggesting that a woman is capable of living and acting on her own without the help or input of others.
Don't you hear the sound of an animal calling
Invoking imagery of primitive sounds and instincts, suggesting that certain actions or behaviors are natural and innate.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: CHAN MARSHALL, PHILIPPE CERBONESCHI, MICHAEL DIAMOND, HUBERT BLANC FRANCARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@manoelandreisfernandes8747
That bassline... and Mike D is awesome.
@MrBerfayHunalp
I'm in love with the absurdity of the clip. Pure art to my eyes.
@carolinemurgue8170
Philippe Zdar was a truly talented producer!
@jptacnik
Thank you Cassius for bringing the classic french sound we love back to us! WE ❤️ U SO
@OG-DRH
needs more Mike D
@Spanishdog17
How do people not like this beat? It's one of the funkiest instrumentals I've heard in a long time!
@RolandBossio
le falta kick
@Not2Be0utDone
every moment of this music video is gif-able
@SambaSunnySideUp
This should have way more views. These two are legends. Fitting name
@lois181818
The funky come back!