Here she met Cyrille Brissot who she still works with today to develop and build specific instruments adapted to Émilie’s needs, both in the studio and on stage, including the “Brissot” - a breathtaking arm controller that allows her to remotely control, modulate and transform her live voice through a series of controlled effects. Émilie uses a variety of other new technology devices including Yamaha’s “Tenori-on” and a variety of other new hardware and software. Émilie uses this technology to give herself a wide range of versatility on stage, including being able to control everything – from beats to multiple instruments to vocal harmonies and modulation simultaneously while alone on stage.
Shortly after Ircam, Émilie Simon signed a record deal with Barclay/Universal France. Her debut single, entitled “Désert” was released in October 2002. Since then, she has written, arranged, performed and produced her two records and the original music for the French (original) version of March of the Penguins. There, Émilie used many diverse and inventive techniques including rubbing pieces of ice together to produce beats and sounds, and blended them with her electronic machinery and inviting lyrics.
Despite garnering best album honors in the electronic category at France’s
“Victoires de la Musique” Awards for her debut, and being touted as one of the most promising female artists, the Montpellier-bred chanteuse is quick to champion her independence as an artist over such acclaim. “[Awards] are nice, but it’s like a cherry on top, really,” the singer/songwriter insists. “It’s great when you have the feeling you are doing something important or that you’re understood. But it doesn’t alter the way I work in any way. I’m always thinking back on what I have done, because I don’t want to be redundant. I want to make music without rules, without anybody telling me what I have to do.”
Émilie Simon first made her mark on the U.S. in the fall of 2006 with her debut U.S. release, The Flower Book on Nov. 7, 2006. Her plush, artful soundscapes had already yielded her significant praise and awards in her French homeland, as well as acclaim across the rest of Europe and Japan. Singing in both French and English, Émilie allows her music to flow naturally, rewarding her with devoted fans worldwide. A year and a half after The Flower Book’s release, Émilie is currently residing in New York City and writing her next record. She will be performing shows in NYC this Fall to preview her new material. Having always begun the creative process in the recording studio, and then following with live performances, Émilie is trying a new approach. For the new record, she will let the songs breathe and evolve in a live environment before heading into the studio.
Cette ombre
Emilie Simon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quand la ville dort moi je rêve du creux de ton cou
Comme c'est dommage
Qu'est-ce qui nous rapproche ce soir?
Qu'est-ce qui nous rapproche ce soir?
Cruauté omniprésente qui dévaste et fait table rase
C'est indolore tellement ça fait mal
Qu'est-ce qui nous rapproche ce soir?
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Avance, avance une ombre
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Une ombre qui nous lie
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Avance, avance une ombre
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Une ombre qui nous lie
Et entre les ligne un nouveau jeu vieux comme le monde
Cache-cache, ennemi tortueux, on est plus fort
Qu'est-ce qui nous rapproche ce soir?
Qu'est-ce qui nous rapproche ce soir?
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Avance, avance une ombre
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Une ombre qui nous lie
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Avance, avance une ombre
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Une ombre qui nous lie
Dans la nuit
Dans la nuit
The song "Cette Ombre" by Emilie Simon talks about the destructive effects of a cruel and pervasive shadow that seems to be destroying everything in its path. The lyrics suggest that this shadow represents a negativity that can overwhelm people, leaving them feeling lost and unsure of themselves. Despite this, the singer struggles to find meaning and connection in a world that seems largely dominated by chaos and destruction. The chorus repeatedly asks, "What brings us together tonight?" suggesting a longing for human connection.
In addition to this main theme, the lyrics also explore the idea of playing games, with the line "between the lines a new game as old as the world". This line suggests that despite the difficulties of life, people can still find joy and meaning by playing games and engaging in playful, creative activities.
The repetition of the phrase "Dans la nuit" (in the night) throughout the song reinforces the sense of darkness and uncertainty that pervades it, but it also suggests that there may be some comfort in simply acknowledging the difficulties of life and moving forward in spite of them.
Overall, "Cette Ombre" is a powerful exploration of the ways in which negativity can affect us, but also a celebration of the human capacity for resilience and connection in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Cette ombre venue ici détruit tout
The shadow that has come here destroys everything.
Quand la ville dort moi je rêve du creux de ton cou
When the city sleeps, I dream of the hollow of your neck.
Comme c'est dommage
How unfortunate.
Qu'est-ce qui nous rapproche ce soir?
What brings us closer tonight?
Cruauté omniprésente qui dévaste et fait table rase
Omnipresent cruelty that devastates and wipes out everything.
C'est indolore tellement ça fait mal
It's painless, it hurts so much.
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Avance, avance une ombre
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Une ombre qui nous lie
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Avance, avance une ombre
Dans la nuit, dans la nuit
Une ombre qui nous lie
In the night, in the night, an advancing shadow that binds us.
Et entre les ligne un nouveau jeu vieux comme le monde
Cache-cache, ennemi tortueux, on est plus fort
And between the lines, a new game as old as the world, hide-and-seek, a devious enemy, we are stronger.
Dans la nuit
In the night.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Emilie Simon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Icebreaker Studios
Un puissant concentré pop, mêlant sonorités synthétiques et voix sucrée ! Bravo <3
Alane Tietre Tribal Fusion
Como eu esperei por esse momento ♥️ muito feliz pelo seu retorno Emilie Simon🙂 amo seu trabalho.
Keyson Francisco
Quanto tempo esperando sua volta, e quando reaparece, nos enche de novidades! Essa com certeza será a faixa indie eletronic guittar que mais executarei no ano. Parabéns pelo seu trabalho, Emilie. Sempre é agradável conferir seu trabalho. <3
Laurie Shakira
Je ne l attendais tellement plus j’avais perdu espoir et là où on a le plus besoin de musique hop ! Je préfère tellement cette chanson à Always Know ! C’est vraiment Émilie surprenant à la première écoute mais à la 2ème on accroche (pour ma part) apparemment c’est un EP de 4 chansons chaque mercredi j’espère un album complet Émilie ? Génial merci d’être là en cette période difficile c’est le bon moment !
Gabriel Dória
This song is amazing! You’re finally back :))))))
Raf Jones
well, what about "always now"?
im4 k0
J’adore ! Vraiment un excellent titre ! ❤️❤️❤️
southamepton
Quelle surprise ! énergique ! la musique est géniale, bravo Emilie :)
Darío Díaz
Excellent ! Can’t wait for the rest of the album!
Miami Minx
Oh my god!!!! We have missed you emilie!!!!!! Worried something happened to you! Such a great tune!