Décamps managed to find the time to issue a one solo album during the years when Ange were at their most active though, a production he made with his son Tristan issued under the moniker Christian Décamps et Fils in 1979 named "Le mal d'Adam". When Ange for one reason or another started winding down their band activities towards the late 1980's Christian would revive this moniker for the albums "Juste une ligne bleue" in 1990 and "Nu" in 1994, and when Ange officially folded in 1995 it became more and more clear that Christian Décamps et Fils first and foremost was a direct continuation of Ange. Three more albums would see the light of day in the second half of the 90's: "V'soul Vesoul V'soul" in 1995, "Troisième étoile à gauche" in 1997 and "Poèmes de la Noiseraie" in 1998. When Décamps aquired the official rights for the name Ange in 1999 this solo project ceased to exist though, reviving his old band with the band members he had steadily used throughout his solo career for the past decade.
An epilogue would appear in 2004 though, with the album "Murmures...". This production was distinctly different in sound from anything Ange had made, and represents a purebred solo effort.
Besides these more or less true solo albums mention above, Décamps have two additional solo albums to his name. The first of these, "Merlin et les Dragons", was a joint effort with Michel Rubini issued in 1992. Then in 2008 Décamps released what was his first solo effort credited solely to himself with the ambient, new age tinged CD "Psychedelice".
While Décamps has an extensive range of solo ventures behind him, it will be a matter of discussion as to how many of them that should be regarded as true solo albums and how many that are Ange productions issued under an alias. What is certain is that many of these efforts will be of interest to the dedicated Ange fanbase.
Quasimodo
Christian Decamps Lyrics
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Il a bon dos, Quasimodo ! disaient les gens de la ville …
Les gens de la ville …
Quasimodo ! Pas vraiment sot ! Le profil difficile …
Polichinelle ! Les os, les ailes … Les sentiments, c’est fragile !
A caresser les muses et les étoiles … les diables et les dieux dans l’sens du poil, la vie gargouille, quasiment souille les gens, la ville ! … Les gens de la ville …
Quasimodo ! Quasimodo ! Amphikhaïno … Lego to phaïdron hon phaïno, ou ton Socratèn.
(J’ouvre grand mon bec, je chante la lumière que j’iradie, pas Socrate !)
Il est pas lâche, même s’il se cache … masqué toc antique.
Un peu Socrate ! Un peu « Carpathes » … monstre à l’heure du Romantique …
C’est comme un carillon qui déraisonne. Être quelqu’un quand on n’est plus personne ! … Quasimodo !!!
… C’est un homme quelque peu ordinaire, le plus beau des mystères, la laideur pour la vie …
… Un peu comme les ombres et la lumière partagent nos hémisphères aux faveurs de la nuit …
Ah ! Qu’il vive !
Ah ! Qu’il vivre assez longtemps pour nous rêver !
Quasimodo ! Quasimodo !
Mais comment partager tes secrets …
Phaïno to phos … (…j’irradie la lumière)
Quasimodo ! Pas vraiment beau ! disaient les gens de la ville …
Les gens de la ville !!!
The song "Quasimodo" by Christian Decamps explores the complex character of Quasimodo, who is not physically attractive but possesses intelligence and sensitivity that makes him stand out from the crowd. The first two lines of the lyrics emphasize this contrast, with Quasimodo being described as "not really beautiful" and a "style mistake." The people in the town, who are focused on superficial appearances, often belittle him, claiming that he carries a burden on his back. This repetition of his name, "Quasimodo," serves to reinforce his identity and highlights his individuality in society.
The third and fourth lines further delve into Quasimodo's personality, describing him as not being foolish and having a difficult demeanor. The use of the reference "Polichinelle," a traditional puppet character known for his exaggerated features, suggests that Quasimodo's feelings and emotions are fragile, counter to his outward appearance. This contrast between his physicality and his internal world showcases the complexity of his character.
The next set of lines speaks about Quasimodo's affinity for various artistic and spiritual aspects of life. He is compared to a carillon, a musical instrument, which symbolizes his ability to evoke different emotions and create an impact on those around him. The phrase "life gargouille" captures the idea that life can be turbulent and messy, much like the figure of a grotesque carved on a medieval cathedral. The use of the words "monsters," "devils," and "gods" suggests that Quasimodo engages with both the light and dark elements that exist within humanity.
The last paragraphs of the lyrics express a desire for Quasimodo's well-being and acknowledgment of his unique existence. He is described as an ordinary man with a mysterious beauty, and his ugliness becomes a defining characteristic that gives depth and meaning to his life. The metaphors of shadows and light sharing our hemispheres in the favor of the night evoke the idea that even in darkness, Quasimodo's presence is essential. The refrain of "Quasimodo" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of his name and his individuality in a judgmental society. The lyrics conclude with the wish for Quasimodo to live long enough to continue dreaming and for others to have the chance to understand his secrets, highlighting his enigmatic nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Quasimodo ! Pas vraiment beau ! Petite erreur de style …
Quasimodo! Not truly beautiful! A small mistake in appearance...
Il a bon dos, Quasimodo ! disaient les gens de la ville …
Quasimodo is an easy target! the people of the city would say...
Les gens de la ville …
The people of the city...
Quasimodo ! Pas vraiment sot ! Le profil difficile …
Quasimodo! Not truly foolish! A challenging profile...
Polichinelle ! Les os, les ailes … Les sentiments, c’est fragile !
It's a puppet show! The bones, the wings... Feelings are fragile!
A caresser les muses et les étoiles … les diables et les dieux dans l’sens du poil, la vie gargouille, quasiment souille les gens, la ville ! … Les gens de la ville …
To stroke the muses and the stars... the devils and the gods in a pleasing manner, life vies, almost defiles the people, the city!... The people of the city...
Quasimodo ! Quasimodo ! Amphikhaïno … Lego to phaïdron hon phaïno, ou ton Socratèn.
Quasimodo! Quasimodo! I open my beak wide and sing the light that I radiate, not Socrates!
(J’ouvre grand mon bec, je chante la lumière que j’iradie, pas Socrate !)
(I open my beak wide, I sing the light that I radiate, not Socrates!)
Il est pas lâche, même s’il se cache … masqué toc antique.
He is not cowardly, even if he hides... a masked antique touch.
Un peu Socrate ! Un peu « Carpathes » … monstre à l’heure du Romantique …
A bit like Socrates! A bit of 'Carpathian'... a monster in the Romantic era...
C’est comme un carillon qui déraisonne. Être quelqu’un quand on n’est plus personne ! … Quasimodo !!!
It's like a carillon gone mad. Being someone when you're no longer anyone!... Quasimodo!!!
... C’est un homme quelque peu ordinaire, le plus beau des mystères, la laideur pour la vie ...
...He's a somewhat ordinary man, the most beautiful of mysteries, ugliness for life...
... Un peu comme les ombres et la lumière partagent nos hémisphères aux faveurs de la nuit ...
... A bit like how shadows and light share our hemispheres in the favors of the night...
Ah ! Qu’il vive !
Ah! Let him live!
Ah ! Qu’il vivre assez longtemps pour nous rêver!
Ah! Let him live long enough to dream of us!
Quasimodo ! Quasimodo !
Quasimodo! Quasimodo!
Mais comment partager tes secrets …
But how to share your secrets...
Phaïno to phos … (…j’irradie la lumière)
I radiate the light...
Quasimodo ! Pas vraiment beau ! disaient les gens de la ville …
Quasimodo! Not truly beautiful! the people of the city would say...
Les gens de la ville !!!
The people of the city!!!
Lyrics © SERGENT MAJOR COMPANY LIMITED, EDITIONS LEVALLOIS
Written by: CHRISTIAN DECAMPS, TRISTAN DECAMPS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind