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
Somnifère
Edith Lefel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha
Somnifè tala té tro fô
Ki lanmou nou an pran somèy
Chak moun toujou bizwen an lôt
Pou partagé lè bon moman
Lavi mwen tounen an kochma
Mwen té ké préféré pati
Zavè kô nou, ki ka rèvé kon inosan
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Ho ho ho, ho, ho ho ho
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Ho ho ho, ho, ho ho ho
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Menm si lavi ka malmènenw
Fanm tonbé pa désèspéré
Mé pou soufè nou ja soufè
Banbou pliyé pé ké kasé
Tout kô mwen frémi kon pyé bwa
Siklôn pa jen rivé raché'yRèspèkté fanm
Konsidéré sé té manman'w
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Ho ho ho, ho, ho ho ho
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Ho ho ho, ho, ho ho ho
Sa té ké soulajé nou
Di trouvé an konfidan
Ni trop nonm asou latè, ki pa ka rèspèkté fanm
Lè'w wé an nonm ka bat fanm / Sa fè mwen mal
Ti manmayla ka pléré / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Manman'w ja las soufè / Sa fè mwen mal
Di mwen ki sa pou fè ba'w / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Jôdi dan plizyè péyi, ni dé fanm ki maltrété
Tro souvan yo oublyé, palé di dwa sé fanm lan
Tout fanm ki asou trotwa / Sa fè mwen mal
Alkol, ladrog détrui yo / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Droit de cuissage pou travay / Sa fè mwen mal
Mariages par intérêt / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Egoïste
Lè'w wè an nonm ka bat fanm / Doudou sa fè mwen mal
Ti manmay la ka pléré / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Tout fanm ki asou trotwa / Sa fè mwen mal
Alkol, ladrog détrui yo / Woy sa fè mwen
Doudou, sa fè mwen mal
Woy, sa fè mwin mal
Manman'w ja las soufè / Doudou sa fè mwen mal
Di mwen ki sa pou fè ba'w / Woy sa fè mwen
/ Doudou sa fè mwen mal
The song "Somnifére" by Edith Lefel talks about the need for love and the struggle to find it. The lyrics mention that love is like a sleeping pill, which can provide temporary relief from the pain and loneliness of life. The line "Chak moun toujou bizwen an lôt pou partagé lè bon moman" (everyone always needs someone else to share good moments with) highlights that humans are social creatures and crave connection. However, despite the desire for love, the singer is aware that life can be cruel and that women often suffer at the hands of men. The line "Lè'w wè an nonm ka bat fanm, sa fè mwen mal" (when you see a man hitting a woman, it hurts me) expresses the pain and empathy the singer feels for those who are victims of domestic violence.
The song also touches on themes of resilience, perseverance, and the importance of solidarity among women. The line "Mé pou soufè nou ja soufè, banbou pliyé pé ké kasé" (but even though we suffer, we won't break like bamboo) depicts the idea of strength through adversity. The repetition of the line "Woy sa fè mwen mal" (oh, it hurts me) throughout the song emphasizes the emotional weight of the issues being discussed and invites the listener to share in the singer's feelings.
Overall, "Somnifére" is a powerful testament to the human need for love and the struggles that come with it, particularly for women who are often the victims of violence and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Ha ha ha ha
Repetitive, jovial laughter
Somnifè tala té tro fô
Sleeping pills are too strong
Ki lanmou nou an pran somèy
Love has put us to sleep
Chak moun toujou bizwen an lôt
Everyone always needs someone else
Pou partagé lè bon moman
To share the good moments
Lavi mwen tounen an kochma
My life has become a nightmare
Mwen té ké préféré pati
I would have preferred to leave
Zavè kô nou, ki ka rèvé kon inosan
Our bodies, dreaming like innocents
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Oh, oh, oh, dreaming like innocents
Menm si lavi ka malmènenw
Even if life is mistreating you
Fanm tonbé pa désèspéré
A fallen woman should not despair
Mé pou soufè nou ja soufè
But for suffering, we have already suffered
Banbou pliyé pé ké kasé
A bending bamboo will not break
Tout kô mwen frémi kon pyé bwa
My whole body trembles like a leaf
Siklôn pa jen rivé raché'y
Even a hurricane cannot uproot me
Rèspèkté fanm
Respect women
Konsidéré sé té manman'w
Consider them your mother
Sa té ké soulajé nou
That would relieve us
Di trouvé an konfidan
Say find a confidant
Ni trop nonm asou latè, ki pa ka rèspèkté fanm
There are too many men on earth who do not respect women
Lè'w wé an nonm ka bat fanm / Sa fè mwen mal
When you see a man hitting a woman / It hurts me
Ti manmayla ka pléré / Woy sa fè mwen mal
The little girls crying / Oh, that hurts me
Manman'w ja las soufè / Sa fè mwen mal
Your mother is already tired of suffering / That hurts me
Di mwen ki sa pou fè ba'w / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Tell me what I can do for you / Oh, that hurts me
Jôdi dan plizyè péyi, ni dé fanm ki maltrété
Today, in several countries, there are women who are mistreated
Tro souvan yo oublyé, palé di dwa sé fanm lan
Too often they forget, talk about women's rights
Tout fanm ki asou trotwa / Sa fè mwen mal
All women on the street / That hurts me
Alkol, ladrog détrui yo / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Alcohol, drugs destroy them / Oh, that hurts me
Droit de cuissage pou travay / Sa fè mwen mal
Sexual harassment in the workplace / That hurts me
Mariages par intérêt / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Marriages for interest / Oh, that hurts me
Egoïste
Selfish
Lè'w wè an nonm ka bat fanm / Doudou sa fè mwen mal
When you see a man hitting a woman / Sweetheart, that hurts me
Woy sa fè mwen mal
Oh, that hurts me
Manman'w ja las soufè / Doudou sa fè mwen mal
Your mother is already tired of suffering / Sweetheart, that hurts me
Di mwen ki sa pou fè ba'w / Woy sa fè mwen
Tell me what I can do for you / Oh, that hurts me
/ Doudou sa fè mwen mal
/ Sweetheart, that hurts me
Writer(s): Ronald Rubinel, Edith Lefel
Contributed by Hannah W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-xh9zc1cb4f
Han han han han
Han han han
Somnifè ta la té two fo
Ki lanmou nou en pren somey
Chak moun' toujou bizwen an lov
Pou partagé les bons moments
Han han han han
Han han han
La vie mwen touné en cauchema
Mwen té ké préféré pati
Zavè kan nou
Ki ka révé kon inocen
Han han han han
Han han han
Ay ay ay, ka révé kon inocent
Oh oh oh
Han han han han
Han han han
Même si la vi ka malméné'w
Fanm tombé pa désespéré'w
Mè pou soufè nou ja soufè
En bouclié pé ké cassé
Han han han han
Han han han
Tout' co mwen frémi kon pié boi
Cyclon' pa jin rivé raché
Respecté fanm
Considéré sé té manman'w
Han han han han
Han han han
Ay ay ay, ka révé kon inocen
Oh oh oh
Sa té pé soulagé nou
Di trouvé on confiden
Ni trop pou mwen sou la tè
Ki pa ka respécté fanm
Lè wè en nomm ka bat' fanm
Woy, Sa fè mwen mal
Ti manmay la ka pléré
Woy, Sa fè mwen mal
Manman'w ja lass soufè
Woy, sa fè mwen mal
Di mwen ki sa pou fè baw
Woy sa fè mwen mal
Jodi dan pliziè péyi
Ni dé fanm ki maltrété
Tro souven yo oublié
Pa lé di doit si fanm lan
Tout' fanm ki a sou trotoi
Woy, sa fè mwen mal
Alcol la drog détruit yo
Woy sa fè mwen mal
Droit de cuissage pou travay
Woy sa fè mwen mal
Mariage par intéret
Woy, sa fè mwen mal
Egoiste
Lè wè en nomm ka bat' fanm
Woy, Sa fè mwen mal
Ti manmay la ka pléré
Woy, Sa fè mwen mal
Tout' fanm ki a sou trotoi
Woy, sa fè mwen mal
Alcol la drog détruit yo
Woy sa fè mwen mal
Manman'w ja lass soufè
Woy, sa fè mwen mal
Di mwen ki sa pou fè baw
Woy sa fè mwen mal
@lindsayservan8834
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Somnifè tala té tro fô
Ki lanmou nou an pran somèy
Chak moun toujou bizwen an lôt
Pou partagé lè bon moman
Lavi mwen tounen an kochma
Mwen té ké préféré pati
Zavè kô nou, ki ka rèvé kon inosan
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Ho ho ho, ho, ho ho ho
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Ho ho ho, ho, ho ho ho
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Menm si lavi ka malmènenw
Fanm tonbé pa désèspéré
Mé pou soufè nou ja soufè
Banbou pliyé pé ké kasé
Tout kô mwen frémi kon pyé bwa
Siklôn pa jen rivé raché'y
Rèspèkté fanm
Konsidéré sé té manman'w
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Ho ho ho, ho, ho ho ho
Ay, ay, ay, ka révé kon inosan
Ho ho ho, ho, ho ho ho
Sa té ké soulajé nou
Di trouvé an konfidan
Ni trop nonm asou latè, ki pa ka rèspèkté fanm
Lè'w wé an nonm ka bat fanm / Sa fè mwen mal
Ti manmayla ka pléré / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Manman'w ja las soufè / Sa fè mwen mal
Di mwen ki sa pou fè ba'w / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Jôdi dan plizyè péyi, ni dé fanm ki maltrété
Tro souvan yo oublyé, palé di dwa sé fanm lan
Tout fanm ki asou trotwa / Sa fè mwen mal
Alkol, ladrog détrui yo / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Droit de cuissage pou travay / Sa fè mwen mal
Mariages par intérêt / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Egoïste
Lè'w wè an nonm ka bat fanm / Doudou sa fè mwen mal
Ti manmay la ka pléré / Woy sa fè mwen mal
Tout fanm ki asou trotwa / Sa fè mwen mal
Alkol, ladrog détrui yo / Woy sa fè mwen
Doudou, sa fè mwen mal
Woy, sa fè mwin mal
Manman'w ja las soufè / Doudou sa fè mwen mal
Di mwen ki sa pou fè ba'w / Woy sa fè mwen
Doudou sa fè mwen mal
@samirbourgi2708
Une véritable Edith
Qui écoute cette chanson en 2024❤❤
@nesie7336
🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️
@muriel-franceboly1594
Moi en ce moment 😊😊😊😊
@vladvladenjoy9635
meh😅
@sosoop3411
Moi...en boucle
Édith restera la petite fée...❤❤❤❤
@marieagnes7326
Edith Lefel avait toujours été une chanteuse très élégante,talentueuse,d'une beauté parfaite.Une belle voix s'est éteinte,repose en paix.
@foxybrown683
Et tu oublies une féministe....à sa façon
@adouflineful
@@foxybrown683
C'est vrai, mé i ka chanté tèlman byen.
@eva-corettamatingou450
Une voix divinement charmante !!
@katinka41
J'ai toujours écouté cette chanson étant petite sans comprendre les paroles et maintenant que je vis en Guadeloupe et que je comprend le créole je comprend pourquoi on aimait tant cette chanson car elle a un vrai sens une vrai symbolique qui touche même quand on l'écoute sans comprendre.
Quelle belle voix. Rip..