An avant-gardist with sense of daftness, his name resounded throughout the land since the track "E.V.A." was remixed by Fatboy Slim. At the age of 76 he released a new album. Nowadays he is known as one of the creators of pop music.
Perrey was born in France in 1929. He was studying medicine in Paris when he met George Jenny, inventor of the Ondioline. Quitting medical school, Perrey travelled through Europe demonstrating this keyboard ancestor of the modern synthesizer. At the age of 30, Perrey relocated to New York, sponsored by Caroll Bratman, who built him an experimental laboratory and recording studio. Here he invented "a new process for generating rhythms with sequences and loops", utilising the environmental sounds of "musique concrète." With scissors, splicing tape, and tape recorders, he spent weeks piecing together a uniquely comique take on the future. Befriending Robert Moog, he became one of the first Moog synth musicians, creating "far out electronic entertainment". In 1965 Perrey met Gershon Kingsley, a former colleague of John Cage. Together, using Ondioline and Perrey's loops, they created two albums for Vanguard — The In Sound From Way Out (1966) and Kaleidoscopic Vibrations (1967). Perrey and Kingsley collaborated on sound design for radio and television advertising. Perrey returned to France, composing for television, scoring for ballet and continuing medical research into therapeutic sounds for insomniacs.
The rap group Beastie Boys released an instrumental CD titled, as a tribute to Perrey & Kingsley, The In Sound From Way Out.
Most recently, Perrey had been collaborating with Seattle music/composer Dana Countryman, and they have released two CDs on Oglio Records, "The Happy Electropop Music Machine", and "Destination Space".
In 2010, his song "Chicken on the Rocks" was featured in an episode of "South Park".
His official website can be found at: http://www.jeanjacquesperrey.com/
Four Three Two One
Jean-Jacques Perrey Lyrics
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The lyrics to Jean-Jacques Perrey's song Four Three Two One are quite unique in that they consist solely of the counting down of numbers from four to one. However, this seemingly simple counting exercise takes on a larger meaning as the song progresses. As each number is counted down, the intensity of the music builds and the tempo increases, creating a sense of urgency and excitement. The song becomes a countdown to something important or significant, culminating in the final "one" that brings a sense of anticipation and expectation.
The repetitiveness of the lyrics also adds to the hypnotic and compelling nature of the song, drawing the listener in and keeping them engaged. It's as if the song is urging the listener to join in on the countdown, creating a shared sense of anticipation and excitement. The lack of any additional lyrics also allows the music to take center stage, showcasing Perrey's masterful use of electronic sounds and instruments to create a unique and captivating musical experience.
Overall, the lyrics to Four Three Two One are deceptively simple yet incredibly effective, creating a powerful and memorable musical experience that is still celebrated today.
Line by Line Meaning
Four
The countdown has begun
Three
Tension building up
Two
Anticipation of what's to come
One
The climax is here
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EILEEN DAVIES, PAT PRILLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind