“I’m what I call ‘rock ‘n’ love’”, she tells Reuters Africa Journal when asked how she herself would categorize her music. “It’s not rock ‘n’ roll because I don’t go silly drinking or taking drugs, but I’m really rock, so I’m ‘rock ‘n’ love’.”
Inna Modja released her debut album, “Everyday is a new world” in France in October 2009 and her first video, “Mr. H”, shows all the hallmarks of a pop princess and has enjoyed a lot of play on French TV stations.
Born in Mali, she lived in Nigeria, Togo and the USA with her diplomat parents before making Paris her home when she was 18. “I like my life in Paris,” she says. “I love my friends, people close to me – my daily life is very important to me. But in Bamako I have my family – this big town full of energy. I love the market and I love to walk along the banks of the river Niger.” Legendary world musician Salif Keita is one of her mentors. Inna Modja sang back-up for his band, the “Bamako Rail Band” before she decided to go solo.
In spite of the close ties that she maintains to her home country, Modja’s music is definitely a departure from what we usually think of as World Music or “African sound”. But then, what is African sound? And should upcoming African musicians like Inna Modja embrace influences from all over the world; or should they be ambassadors of their own musical heritage?
Bamako, Mali
You and me
Inna Modja Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Weeping willows are sheding a tear
The world is turning around
And u know that I know
The boats are leaving the harbor
Modern slaves, freed from hard labor
Happy Hippies are spreading some joy
And u know that I know
Yes I know that u love me
I can feel that u love me
It's a bliss that u love me
Cos u are who u are
Mourners are crying a river
Soul mates are sharing their vows
Young people are fooling around
And u know that I know
The moon is cradling the stars
The sun is teasing the sky
The breeze whispers to the trees
That u know that I know
Yes I know that u love me
I can feel that u love me
It's a bliss that u love me
Cos u are who u are
Yes I know that u love me
I can feel that u love me
It's a bliss that u love me
Cos u are the best love ever
mmmmmmmmmmmm
Cos u are the best LOve E-Ver
mmmmmmmmmmmm
The moon is cradling the stars
The sun is teasing the sky
The breeze whispers to the trees
That u know that I know
The song "You and me" by Inna Modja begins with a beautiful imagery of nature. The birds are chirping, weeping willows are shedding a tear, and the world is turning around. The lyrics portray a serene, idyllic world where there is hope, love and joy. The boats are leaving the harbor and happy hippies are spreading some joy, freeing people from their worldly burdens. The song carries the message of freedom, love, and happiness, and the knowledge that the singer has that the person in question loves her.
In the next stanza, Inna Modja sings about the different emotions and events that occur in life. There are mourners crying a river because of their loss, soul mates sharing their vows, and young people fooling around. Through these lines, the singer communicates that there are ups and downs in life, but the love between two people will never fade. Inna Modja paints a beautiful picture of the world around us and believes that the person in question knows how she feels about the love they share.
The chorus of the song is the most memorable part. The singer reminds us that she knows the person loves her because she can feel it. She takes comfort in the knowledge that they share the same feelings and that the person loves her for who she is. She repeats this idea, emphasizing its importance through the beauty of her singing.
Line by Line Meaning
The birds are singing along
The birds are harmonizing with me, creating a pleasant sound.
Weeping willows are sheding a tear
The willow trees are dripping droplets of water onto the ground. Perhaps they are mourning something.
The world is turning around
Everything in the world is constantly moving, changing, and shifting. Time does not stop.
And u know that I know
We share a mutual understanding, we both know and acknowledge our shared knowledge.
The boats are leaving the harbor
The ships are departing from the port and setting sail.
Modern slaves, freed from hard labor
People who were once enslaved or controlled by harsh work conditions are now emancipated and free.
Happy Hippies are spreading some joy
The hippies are elatedly sharing cheerful vibes and exuding positive energy around them.
Yes I know that u love me
I am aware and certain of the fact that you have genuine feelings of affection towards me.
I can feel that u love me
Through various emotions and actions, I can physically sense your love for me.
It's a bliss that u love me
It brings me hours of delight and contentment to know that you love me.
Cos u are who u are
You are perfect just the way you are and I love you for that.
Mourners are crying a river
The people at the funeral are expressing their deep sorrow and loss by crying excessively.
Soul mates are sharing their vows
The pair of soulmates are exchanging promises and declarations of love and commitment.
Young people are fooling around
The youths are playing, messing around, or horsing around together.
The moon is cradling the stars
The moon is holding and embracing the stars in its gentle, celestial embrace.
The sun is teasing the sky
The sun is creating a teasing, playful tone to the sky by emerging from behind clouds and casting shadows or light on various areas.
The breeze whispers to the trees
The gentle wind creates a soft, rustling sound in the trees, making it seem as if they are communicating with each other.
Cos u are the best love ever
Your love is unmatched, and you are the epitome of a perfect partner, significant other, or lover.
Lyrics © WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
Written by: ALEXANDRE AZARIA, FANTA BOCOUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind