In 1977 Eric Lévi founded the hard rock band Shakin' Street which would release the two albums Vampire Rock and Solid As A Rock. Shakin' Street briefly toured with AC/DC and the Blue Öyster Cult before disbanding in 1981. Later on in his career, Eric Lévi wrote the musical score to several movies, including L'Opération Corned-beef and the comedy Les Visiteurs which was an international success and one of the highest grossing movies of all time in France.
Era's self-titled debut album in 1997 proved to be a hit, becoming the most exported French album with over 6 million copies sold. A sequel, Era 2 was released in 1999, followed by Era: The Mass in 2003. The trilogy is characterized by a mixture of rock, synth, and pseudo-Latin Gregorian chant.
Cathar Rhythm
Eric Levi Lyrics
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Don't you turn your eyes?
And if you dare to look
I'll be you waiting
Impera e nessimo
Impera samie nero
Dove di immantore Dio
You hear my prayer
Don't you turn your eyes?
And if you dare to mourn
I'll be you waiting
Impera e nessimo
Impera samie nero
Dove di immantore torra
E mani diavole
E mano diavole
E nere mani diavole
Impera e nessimo
Impera samie nero
Dove di immantore Dio
Don't you come back now?
Don't you turn your eyes?
E nere mani diavole
You hear my prayer
E nere mani diavole
I'll be you waiting
The song "Cathar Rhythm" by Eric Levi is a haunting and mysterious piece that showcases his talent for musical storytelling. The lyrics are sung in a combination of Italian and a made-up language, which adds to the dreamlike quality of the song. The song begins with an ominous warning to someone not to come back and not to look, as the singer will be waiting for them. The next line, "Impera e nessimo," translates to "Rule and no one" in Italian, suggesting a sense of power and control over the situation. The following lines continue in a similar vein, with the phrase "impera samie nero" repeated several times, which means "rule black samie," a possible reference to the mythological figure of samie, a type of demon or spirit.
The chorus of the song features the same warning as the beginning, urging the listener not to turn their eyes, and promising to be waiting if they do. The final lines of the song repeat the phrase "e nere mani diavole," or "and black demon hands," adding an extra layer of sinister imagery to the already unsettling lyrics. It's clear that "Cathar Rhythm" is a song that's open to interpretation, with its cryptic lyrics and evocative musical style leaving much to the listener's imagination.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you come back now?
I do not want you to return
Don't you turn your eyes?
Do not look away
And if you dare to look
If you decide to glance
I'll be you waiting
I will be waiting for you
Impera e nessimo
Rule and nothingness
Impera samie nero
Rule over black galaxies
Dove di immantore Dio
Where the God creator is
You hear my prayer
Please listen to me
And if you dare to mourn
If you decide to grieve
E mani diavole
And hands of the devil
E mano diavole
And a hand of the devil
E nere mani diavole
And black hands of the devil
Dove di immantore torra
Where the creator's tower is
Don't you come back now?
I do not want you to return
E nere mani diavole
And black hands of the devil
You hear my prayer
Please listen to me
E nere mani diavole
And black hands of the devil
I'll be you waiting
I will be waiting for you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC LEVISALLES, GUY CEDRIC PROTHEROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind