The band consists of Johannes Leppänen (guitar, vocals), Joni Kähkönen (guitar, vocals), Mikael Jurmu (bass, vocals), Santtu Vainio (synth) and Antti Inkiläinen (drums).
According to their webpage they are influenced by dreaming, cold & dark winters and being alive.
99
French Films Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inside my sorted head
Oh do you know what I mean my ghost
My cornerstone
That even though my thoughts
Some day made a wave or two
Aging faster than growing up
So I got my time to spend
My little holiday
Holiday
In between the borderlines
Of all the better ways
Better ways
And I'd let Satan out my well
Treat him right and have
A conversation too
But the observing eyess
They see the steps I take
I'm waiting for 'em to go blind
While I'm drifting on
And on, and on, and on.
So I got my time to spend
My little holiday
Holiday
In between the borderlines
Of all the better ways
Better ways
In French Films's song "99," the lyrics evoke the feeling of being trapped in one's own mind. The singer speaks about the "howl" inside of their "sorted head," indicating a feeling of chaos and confusion within their thoughts. Despite this, the singer refers to the chaos as their "ghost" and "cornerstone," suggesting that it is an integral part of their identity. The lyrics then take a turn towards the concept of time, with the singer stating that their thoughts are aging faster than they are growing up, which makes them feel like they are "99."
The second half of the song describes the singer's desire to escape their own mind and the gaze of others. They talk about taking a holiday and spending time in between the "borderlines" of better ways, indicating that they are searching for a different path or perspective. The reference to letting Satan out of their well is a particularly interesting one, as it suggests a desire to confront their own demons and engage in a conversation with them. However, the singer acknowledges that their actions are being watched by others, indicating that their desire for freedom is not without consequences.
Overall, "99" is a haunting and introspective song about the complexities of the mind and the desire to break free from its constraints.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a greater howl
There is a loud and persistent feeling inside me
Inside my sorted head
Within my organized and rational mind
Oh do you know what I mean my ghost
Do you understand the metaphorical ghost that represents my inner self?
My cornerstone
This feeling is the foundation of my being
That even though my thoughts
Despite the fact that my ideas
Some day made a wave or two
May have caused some stir or controversy
Aging faster than growing up
I am aging faster than I am maturing
Makes me 99
This feeling makes me feel old and worn-out
So I got my time to spend
Therefore, I have time at my disposal
My little holiday
This time feels like a small vacation from my daily life
In between the borderlines
Within the limits and boundaries
Of all the better ways
Of all the possible good choices
And I'd let Satan out my well
I would confront my darkest inner thoughts and face my demons
Treat him right and have
Deal with them appropriately and maturely
A conversation too
Engage in a constructive dialogue with my inner self
But the observing eyes
However, the people around me
They see the steps I take
Notice my actions and reactions
I'm waiting for 'em to go blind
I hope they will not judge me harshly or with prejudice
While I'm drifting on
As I continue to float through life
And on, and on, and on.
Without a clear direction or purpose
Contributed by Adrian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.