Éric Serra's father Claude was a famous French songwriter in the 1950s and '60s, and, as such, Éric was exposed to music and its production at a young age. His mother died when he was just seven years old. In the early '80s, Serra met director Luc Besson and was asked to score his first movie Le Dernier Combat (1983). Serra has scored all of Besson's directed movies to date, except Angel-A (2005) (scored by Anja Garbarek), and several that Besson has written such as Wasabi.
In 1995, Éric Serra was chosen to compose the score to the James Bond film GoldenEye, and produced a much more modern-sounding avant-garde soundtrack compared to previous Bond films. It met with mixed reviews from film critics. Serra's score is often criticized by Bond fans, and is considered the farthest departure from a traditional Bond score and, by some, as the most inappropriate in the series history. Others find it highly innovative, with the main problem the lack of John Barry's traditional theme. The producers later hired John Altman to provide the music for the tank chase in St. Petersburg. Serra's original track for that sequence can still be found on the soundtrack as "A Pleasant Drive In St. Petersburg".
Occasionally, and mainly due to his album released by this name, he is known in credits as RXRA (pronounced like his name, in French). An example is "Little Light of Love" on The Fifth Element soundtrack, which is credited to RXRA.
From 1980 to 1988, Éric Serra played bass guitar for French singer Jacques Higelin.
Éric Serra is also a songwriter, notably having written "It's Only Mystery" for the film Subway and "My Lady Blue" for Le Grand Bleu. In 1988, Éric Serra released an album of rock music titled RXRA which resembles the artist's name when pronounced as initial letters in French.
Most recently he composed the music for the new Criss Angel/Cirque Du Soleil show 'Criss Angel: Believe' to open at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October 2008.
Serra has spent little time in front of the camera, choosing to work behind the scenes instead. However, on French television he has made a number of appearances performing music, and notably appeared in the Luc Besson movie Subway in which he plays 'Enrico the bassist'.
The Endless Night
Eric Serra Lyrics
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How many more sparkles in the skies
How many more twinkles in your smile
How many more shadows to light
Till the night... till the endless night...
Zillion, trillion, billion, million...
How many more whispers on your breeze
How many more zephyrs to glide
How many more angels to fly
Till the night... till the endless night...
Please hold on
Don't run out
Tell me how to hold on to light
Don't run out
Zillion, trillion, billion, million...
How many more raindrops in your eyes
How many more rainbows will rise
How many more changes in your tide
How many more tears to dry
Till the night... till the endless night...
Please hold on
Don't run out
Tell me how to hold on to light
Tell me how to keep our love alive out of the law of time
Don't run out
How many more waves
How many more seasons
How many more heartbeats
How many more seconds...
The lyrics to Eric Serra's song "The Endless Night" touch on themes of perseverance and endurance in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. The singer of the song asks how many more novas, sparkles, twinkles, whispers, and harmonies there must be until the "night" turns to the "endless night." These phrases express a sense of longing and anticipation for a brighter, more stable future.
However, the singer recognizes the difficulty of maintaining hope when faced with challenges. They urge their listener not to give up, and ask for guidance on how to hold onto the "light" during dark times. The repetition of the phrase "zillion, trillion, billion, million" underscores the enormity of their struggle, while also emphasizing the need for persistence.
Ultimately, the singer asks how many more raindrops, rainbows, changes in tides, and tears must be endured before they can find a sense of resolution. They plead for the listener to help them keep their love alive "out of the law of time," suggesting that the passing of time may erode their hope and optimism. By asking these questions and expressing their uncertainty, the singer highlights the universal struggle to find meaning and hope in difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
How many more novas in your eyes
Asking how much more wonder and awe can be seen in the eyes of the subject
How many more sparkles in the skies
Asking how much more beauty can be seen in the sky
How many more twinkles in your smile
Asking how much more joy can be seen in the subject's smile
How many more shadows to light
Asking how much more darkness can be lifted
Till the night... till the endless night...
Until the night turns into an endless one
Zillion, trillion, billion, million...
The magnitude of the numbers involved in the questions is limitless
How many more whispers on your breeze
Asking how much more subtlety and gentleness can be found in the subject's demeanor
How many more zephyrs to glide
Asking how much more grace can be found in the movements of the world
How many more silent harmonies
Asking how much more music can be heard in the quiet moments
How many more angels to fly
Asking how much more goodness can be found in the world
Please hold on
Asking the subject to remain strong and resolute
Don't run out
Urging the subject to not lose hope or faith
Tell me how to hold on to light
Asking the subject for advice on how to stay optimistic and positive
How many more raindrops in your eyes
Asking how much more beauty can be seen in the subjects' tears
How many more rainbows will rise
Asking how much more hope and wonder can be found in nature
How many more changes in your tide
Asking how much more transformation can be experienced
How many more tears to dry
Asking how much more healing can be done
Tell me how to keep our love alive out of the law of time
Asking the subject for a solution on how to maintain a love that transcends time
How many more waves
Asking how much more power and grace can be found in the ocean's movements
How many more seasons
Asking how much more change and growth can be expected with each passing year
How many more heartbeats
Asking how much more importance can be found in the rhythm of life
How many more seconds...
Asking how much more time is left
Contributed by Keira K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.