Gare du Nord kicked off early 2001 when producers Doc (Lancee, Ferdi) & Inca (Fransen, Barend) were asked by a French promotor to deliver the soundtrack for a fashion & lifestyle event in Brussels labeled Excellence. Instead of going just for moody sounds and lounge atmospheres the twosome decided to go beyond synths and beats and composed a songcycle to express their contemporary interpretation of traditional delta blues. Excellence became Excellounge, excellounge became lounge and that kept Western Europe busy for quite a while. The debut album (in search of) Excellounge featured the hit single Pablo’s Blues, dominated by the dobro rif of Lancee and the voice of legend Robert Johnson. The album was released worldwide with special editions in Canada, Australia and Russia and was certified gold. Follow up Kind Of Cool was built around the title track, a grooving jazzy blues track in the Miles Davis mode. That track and another key track of the album, Sold My Soul, found its way to American tv series and movies. The album was certified gold upon re-release in 2009. After a Russian Tour in the slipstream of the second album the third Gare du Nord album, Club Gare du Nord, hit the streets by the end of 2005. Featuring trumpeter Erik Truffaz the album captured the now typical non-traditional sound scape structure that became the Gare du Nord sound. Although the album was released to high critical acclaim and generated a hit single (the Steely Dan-tribute Go Back, Jack) sales were only modest. Nevertheless, Club is a precious pearl in the catalogue not in the least because of its key track We Still Grow that would become a highlight of the live shows in later years.
2006-2010
In the fall of 2006 Fransen & Lancee wrote a song for a US- biopic in the making based upon the life and times of Soul legend Marvin Gaye. The song, Marvin & Miles, was sung by singer Dorona Alberti. The Marvin link triggered the two and a second song, You’re My Medicine, was written for the movie. Medicine featured the original Marvin Gaye vocal track from the classic track Sexual Healing, recorded in 1982 in Belgium. A third song, Somethin’ In My Mouth, again with Alberti, was written by means of a soundtrack to the bestselling book Stout by Heleen van Royen and Marlies Dekkers. Dekkers, then already a famous Dutch lingerie designer was asked to design the iconic cover for the new Gare du Nord-album, to be titled Sex ‘n’ Jazz. The album also featured the song Ride On, sung by British singer Paul Carrack.
Sex ‘n Jazz was a smash; the Top Ten-album spent a stunning 100 weeks in the Dutch album charts and was certified multi platinum. New York based jazz label offered Gare du Nord a record deal for a new album and for two mix albums. The 2009 album Love For Lunch was certified platinum and both the mix albums, Jazz In The City (2007) and Let’s Have A Ball
(2010) mixing Blue Note tracks from the likes of Donald Byrd, Andrew Hill and Bobby Hutcherson were certified gold. A round up of the first ten years of Gare du Nord was presented on the compilation album Greatest Hits, released by the end of 2010.
The year 2011 marks a new perspective. A more intimate, direct approach of producing and songs that cross borders in the direction of white soul, ska and even a little touch of country. The lyrics of the new songs reflect the great feelings and little mysteries of (Dorona Alberti’s) pregnancy as a metaphor for new life. Lilywhite Soul is a new episode in the ever changing moods of Gare du Nord.
A Matter Of Time
Gare du Nord Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The stars in your eyes everyone can see it but you
And I don't know how you believe your own lies
No one wants to tell you the truth
It's just a matter of time
Before this all comes crashing down
The harder you try
The more we can see the real you
So you're gonna be a big star
They told you you're the next big thing
Everybody's gonna love you
Everybody's gonna know your name
So push your problems in your impending fame
And push 'em away, push 'em away
Keep your head up, baby, wait for the day
They'll see that you're larger than life
It's just a matter of time
Before this all comes crashing down
The harder you try
The more we can see the real you
The real, real you
You know that you're special
You probably hear it everyday
You know you don't belong here
With normal people doing normal things
So push your problems in your impending fame
Push 'em away, yeah, push 'em away
Keep your head up, baby, wait for the day
They'll see that you're larger than life
It's just a matter of time
Before this all comes crashing down
The harder you try
The more we can see the real you
The real, real you
It's just a matter of time
Before this all comes crashing down
The harder you try
The more we can see the real you
The real, real you
The song "A Matter of Time" by Gare du Nord is a poignant reminder of the vulnerability of human beings, especially those who aspire to greatness. The lyrics talk of someone who is caught up in the limelight, trying to be someone they are not, and believing their own lies. The person is told that they are special, and that they will be a big star, but the truth is that no one wants to tell them the truth. Everyone can see through the façade, and it's only a matter of time before it all comes crashing down.
The song highlights the struggle that many people go through when pursuing their dreams. They are sold a vision of fame and success, but the reality often falls short of the hype. The lyrics are a warning to those who are caught up in the trappings of success, to stay true to themselves and to not believe their own lies.
Overall, "A Matter of Time" is a powerful message about the importance of staying grounded, and the perils of believing your own hype. It is a beautifully crafted song that combines poignant lyrics with a melodic and atmospheric sound.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got your head in the clouds
You're not grounded in reality
The stars in your eyes everyone can see it but you
Everyone can see your delusions of grandeur except for yourself
And I don't know how you believe your own lies
It's puzzling how you can convince yourself of your own falsehoods
No one wants to tell you the truth
People are afraid of telling you what you don't want to hear
It's just a matter of time
Your downfall is inevitable
Before this all comes crashing down
Before your facade crumbles
The harder you try
The more obvious your true self becomes
The more we can see the real you
Your true self is becoming more apparent
The real, real you
Your authentic self
So you're gonna be a big star
You have high aspirations for your supposed talent
They told you you're the next big thing
You've been bolstered with confidence that's unwarranted
Everybody's gonna love you
You believe you'll have mass appeal
Everybody's gonna know your name
You envision widespread recognition
You know that you're special
You believe you have a unique quality that sets you apart
You probably hear it everyday
People may indulge or humor you by telling you what you want to hear
You know you don't belong here
You feel you're too exceptional for where you are now
With normal people doing normal things
You perceive everyone else as average
Push your problems in your impending fame
Believing you'll be famous helps you ignore or suppress your issues
And push 'em away, push 'em away
Dismiss or repress your problems
Keep your head up, baby, wait for the day
Stay optimistic and hopeful for your expected success
They'll see that you're larger than life
Others will recognize your greatness
Before this all comes crashing down
But in reality, your downfall is inevitable
The harder you try
Your struggle for success will backfire
The more we can see the real you
People will see through your facade
The real, real you
And realize who you truly are
Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.