Lefel's mother was from French Guiana and her father from the island of Martinique. She moved with her parents to Martinique when she was three. It was there that she was exposed to the rich musical traditions of the Caribbean. During the 1970s, when Lefel was growing up, creative young artists with Haitian bands were just beginning to create the zouk sound. Groups such as Les Frères Déjean, Le Ska Shah Number One and Tabou Combo drew on a combination of traditional African, Caribbean and European rhythms, including belair, biguine and mazurka, to produce their unique music which became another global phenomenon in the decades following the death of Bob Marley.
In her 14th year, Lefel and her mother left for France, settling in the Saint-Denis suburb of Paris. There she continued her studies in law, occasionally singing with her brother's folk rock group, and, in 1984, launched her career as a professional singer. The turning point in her career came when she met the Maffia band leader Jean-Michel Cambrimol. He invited her to accompany the band on a tour of the French Antilles, and recorded the hit single "My doudou" with her. Lefel's success on that tour led to more offers, including one from Jean-Luc Lazair of Lazair, with whom she recorded the single "Ich Maman". In 1987, she accepted an offer from the famous Martinican group Malavoi, appearing as a chorus singer on their album La case à Lucie. She earned her nickname "la sirène" by singing a song of that title on Malavoi's 1993 album Matebis. During the same period she met the arranger and producer Ronald Rubinel, whom she later married and with whom she had twin sons.
The year after Lefel first appeared with Malavoi she recorded her first solo album, La klé (The Key), which won the Prix de la SACEM for its producer, Georges Debs, in 1988. The album included a duet between Lefel and "Latin Crooner" Ralph Thamar - one of many collaborations Lefel recorded during her career with famous musicians, including Gilles Voyer, Dominique Zorobabel, Jean-Philippe Marthély, Sylviane Cédia and Mario Canonge. She explained to an interviewer for the RFI Musique website that when she hosted a house party she invited the people she loved the most, and she felt there was no reason why a recording session should be any different.
By 1992, Lefel had become well-known throughout the Caribbean and her reputation had spread to Mozambique. In that year she released her second album,Mèci (Thanks), which was honored with the Sacem trophy for the best female singer of the year. Mèci broke records for Afro-Caribbean independent artists, selling in excess of 40,000 units. Her third album Rendez-vous, released in 1996, continued to build her reputation as one of the leading female interpreters of Afro-Caribbean genres.
But that same year Lefel took her career in quite a different direction, with a live recording made at the famed Olympia theater in Paris. In Edith Lefel a l'Olympia, the artist expanded her repertoire to include French and English language material, including some of the Parisian street songs that had been popularized by Edith Piaf. She explained that her parents had listened to Piaf when she was young (along with other classic French-language chanteurs like Jacques Brel and Charles Aznavour), and that she had often imitated Piaf at home for their entertainment. On the evening of the Olympia concert, May 11, 1996, Lefel impressed the audience with her immense talent, supported by her friends Ralph Thamar and Jean-Luc Alger, and her husband and children.
A very attractive woman whose likeness graced the covers of many prominent French magazines, Lefel died at the height of her powers and popularity[1] in January 2003, at only age 39. She died in her sleep. Autopsy results revealed a combination of smoking and birth control pills as the cause of her death. Edith Lefel is buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
Contents
[hide] 1 Discography 1.1 Albums
2 References
3 External links
Contre temps
Edith Lefel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cassi cassa-cassi cassi cassa
Adan syel lanmou mwen
Ou ka briyé tout le temps
Parmi tout' zétwal cé vou ki lidéal
Vent té ka chayé
Tout' niaj ki té lé baré-w
Mwen pani foss pou sipoté
Souffrance a labsence ou
Pati pou ou pa viré
Sé vou mwen révé bondié ba mwen
An ti vent foli séparé nou (à contre temps)
An sens inverse nou té kité nou pou toujou (à contre temps)
Ini espwa pou nou pé viré (à contre temps)
An ka espéré ki nou pa bani pou la vi
(Cé à contre temps)
Ou posté tchè ba mwen
Ou pa mété adresse
Mwen té ka sonjé
Lè ko an nou té an ivrès
Mwen bizoin en rèv
Pou mwen pé kontinié gadé-w
Posé zié mwen assou somey ou
Dévisagé-w chak jou encô
Mem si jou ka lévé
Mwen assise la ka kouté tchè-w
An mélodi ki ka chayé mwen
An parfum lanmou envahi nou(à contre temps)
Pani loraj ki ké rété mwen(à contre temps)
Cyclone passé assi chimin nou(à contre temps)
Mwen ké krié pli fo ki tonnè(à contre temps)
Pli fô ki tonnè
Cassi cassa-cassi cassi cassa
Parfum d'amour
Caresses velours
Mwen ka sonjé lè kô an nou té an ivrès
Parfum d'amour (parfum d'amour)
Caresses velours
Mwen ka sonjé lè kô an nou té an ivès
Zétwal ja tombé an pié-w
Mwen révé ou kompren' sa
Goutte à goutte la pli zié-w
Envahi mwen pou toujou
Parfum d'amour (parfum d'amour)
Caresses velours (caresses toujours)
Mwen ka sonjé lè kô an nou té an ivrès
Transformé zié-w an fontaine
Pou najé a linfini
Mwen ka néyé adan dlo ki coulé adan zié-w
Cassi cassa cassi cassi cassa
Cassi cassa cassi cassi cassa
Cassi cassa cassi cassi cassa
Cassi cassa cassi cassi cassa...
The song "Contre temps" by Edith Lefel talks about a love that is out of sync or "à contre temps" as the title suggests. The repetitions of "Cassi cassa" in the chorus emphasize the feeling of being out of rhythm or off-beat. The singer talks about how the person she loves is always shining brightly in her sky, but their love is not in the right time. She also mentions the pain of absence and how it seems like there is no relief from it. The lyrics suggest that even though they are not together now, she hopes they will be able to come back together someday.
The second verse implies that the person the singer is singing about had left her without any contact and she is left with only her memories of their time together. She yearns to be able to look into their eyes again and see them every day. The bridge further illustrates the intensity of their love, with the singer expressing that she dreams about the person, and even the rain that falls into their eyes fills her up with their love. The final repetition of the chorus further emphasizes the feeling of being out of sync with one another.
Overall, the song Contre temps is a plaintive and emotional ode to a love that is out of time. The lyrics and melody paint a picture of a love that is deep and intense, even without being able to exist in the same time and space.
Line by Line Meaning
Cassi cassa- cassi cassi cassa
The repeated phrase 'cassi cassa' represents the sound of something breaking or shattering, which may symbolize the end of a relationship or a broken heart.
Adan syel lanmou mwen
The singer's love interest is described as being in the sky (possibly unreachable or far away) but still a part of the singer's love and emotions.
Ou ka briyé tout le temps
The love interest of the singer is constantly shining or sparkling, possibly indicating radiance or beauty.
Parmi tout' zétwal cé vou ki lidéal
Among all the stars in the sky, the artist sees their love interest as ideal and perfect.
Vent té ka chayé
The wind is blowing, but it's unclear whether this is a positive or negative symbol within the context of the song.
Tout' niaj ki té lé baré-w
Everyone who wanted to stop the singer from loving their sweetheart has failed.
Parfum tristess envahi nou
A sad fragrance fills the air, possibly symbolizing feelings of heartbreak or separation.
Mwen pani foss pou sipoté
The artist is unable to bear the pain caused by the absence of their love interest.
Souffrance a labsence ou
The artist is suffering from the absence of their love interest, which suggests they are not together at the moment.
Pati pou ou pa viré
The artist has left to avoid seeing their love interest, possibly due to past difficulties or hurt.
Sé vou mwen révé bondié ba mwen
The singer sees their love interest as a gift from God.
An ti vent foli séparé nou (à contre temps)
Even though they are separated by circumstances beyond their control, their love remains strong and active in their hearts. The phrase 'à contre temps' (against the time) suggests that their love is not following a conventional timeline or path.
An sens inverse nou té kité nou pou toujou (à contre temps)
They left each other in a way that diverges from the usual or expected, hence 'à contre temps'. This separation has a permanent quality to it.
Ini espwa pou nou pé viré (à contre temps)
There is hope that they can be together again, even if it's not within the usual timeline.
An ka espéré ki nou pa bani pou la vi
The singer hopes that they are not separated forever, suggesting that their love is strong and worth fighting for.
Ou posté tchè ba mwen
The artist's love interest is sending them messages or possibly looking out for them from afar.
Ou pa mété adresse
The love interest does not give a clear or direct location for contact, leaving the artist unsure of how to reconnect with them.
Mwen té ka sonjé
The singer remembers the good times they shared with their love interest.
Lè ko an nou té an ivrès
When we were intoxicated by each other's presence and love, everything felt brighter and more intense.
Mwen bizoin en rèv
The artist needs to dream and imagine to keep their hope and love alive in their hearts.
Pou mwen pé kontinié gadé-w
The artist needs to keep their love interest in their thoughts and imagination to maintain their love.
Posé zié mwen assou somey ou
The artist's eyes are resting on their love interest as they sleep, which may suggest an overwhelming sense of longing and affection.
Dévisagé-w chak jou encô
Every day, the singer gazes at their love interest, which may suggest a way of keeping their love alive despite separation.
Mem si jou ka lévé
Even though time is passing, their love remains unchanged.
Mwen assise la ka kouté tchè-w
The singer is sitting and listening to messages from their love interest, which may be soothing or painful depending on what is being said.
An mélodi ki ka chayé mwen
The melody of the songs reminds the singer of their love and fills them with feeling.
Pani loraj ki ké rété mwen(à contre temps)
Amidst all the turmoil and chaos in the world, the singer's love remains strong and constant. The phrase 'à contre temps' suggests that this is not the usual path for love to take.
Cyclone passé assi chimin nou(à contre temps)
Despite going through a difficult time like a cyclone, their love has left a mark that will always guide them, 'à contre temps' indicating that it's not what someone would usually expect in a relationship.
Mwen ké krié pli fo ki tonnè(à contre temps)
Despite enduring so much pain and heartbreak, the artist is fully committed to their love and ready to fight for it with all their strength, 'à contre temps' suggesting again that the relationship is not following a conventional timeline.
Parfum d'amour
The scent of love, which can fill the air and linger long after a relationship ends.
Caresses velours
The soft and gentle touches between lovers, which can be both comforting and deeply intimate.
Zétwal ja tombé an pié-w
Stars have fallen at the feet of the love interest, which may suggest that they are a rare and special individual.
Mwen révé ou kompren' sa
The artist is dreaming of their love interest, hoping that they can understand the depth of the artist's love and longing.
Goutte à goutte la pli zié-w
The love interest's tears are falling steadily, which may suggest that they too are feeling the effects of separation and longing.
Envahi mwen pou toujou
The singer is overwhelmed and filled with love for their love interest, which is a feeling that persists and endures.
Writer(s): Ronald Rubinel
Contributed by Matthew I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aympc25
Edith et sa belle voix dans mon cœur à jamais. Je lui apporte un bouquet de fleurs quand je vais sur Paris. ❤
@nanalala9935
Les mots ne peuvent d'écrire a quel point Edith m'a marquee et j'aime son art j'espère que ses enfants un jour trouverons toutes ces notes d'amour
@novaeratv8282
C'est bien dommage de ne pas voir cette Dame chanter maintenant...
mais son énergie et son âme sont toujours vivantes dans chaque chanson...
@anaisra8606
Qui est là pour cette merveille en 2021 ?
@lindasieba3755
Très très belle femme...Une reine caribéenne et jolie mélodie, belles paroles. Inoubliable
@fleur5906
Oui elle était ravissante. Le Seigneur lui a donné une belle beauté. Et ces textes et paroles était à son image, sublime.
@ozziedinma2025
I use to watch the videoclip of this song in the 90's on a satellite channel that shows zouk music. Her beauty and music gets to me even without understanding the language. I just found out recently while searching for her on u tube that this beautiful lady is no more. Rip 😭😭😭.
@fleur5906
19 ans déjà.
Merci Seigneur pour ces msges,a travers ses textes
@lysiapelmard2792
Magnifique chanson en l'écoutant j'ai l'impression nouvelles chansons, nouvelles mélodie ❤️ c'est pour cela je le dit et je le répète c'est une immortelle 😭❤️👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@lauralythelamon8956
moi j'adore Édith Lefel car toute ses chansons sont belles et elle encore plus mon idole repose en paix je t'adore