She perfor… Read Full Bio ↴Joëlle Ursull is a French singer of Guadeloupean origins.
She performed "White and Black Blues", composed by Serge Gainsbourg, in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990 of May 5, 1990. She won 132 points and was second, behind "Insieme: 1992" by Toto Cutugno. The single was a hit in France, where it peaked at #2 and remained charted for 26 weeks.
Previously, Ursull was a member of the trio Zouk Machine. Alone, she released the albums Miyel and Black French.
Joëlle Ursull was born on November 9, 1960 in Pointe-à-Pitre. She was elected Miss Morne-l'eau before becoming Miss Guadeloupe in 1979. Ursull worked as a television actress(sitcom produced by RFO). Later she embarked on a modelling career before forming the group Zouk Machine. Her influences are those of the Caribbean Zouk, Biguine, Reggae, Ragga, Quadrille, Salsa Merengue and many other.
Zouk Machine was created by Guy Houllier and Yves Honore. They called Joëlle Ursull who is a friend of the family, Christiane Obydol who is the sister of Guy Houllier and Lisette Obydol who was called "Mama Zouk" and manager of the group at the time. She was one of three founding members of the group. The group won a great success from the release of their eponymous first album. In 1988, Ursull left the group attempted a career as a soloist.
In 1988 she released her first album entitled Miyel. In 1990, she represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest with a song composed by Serge Gainsbourg and also released her second album entitled Black French. In 1993, Ursull released her third album As in a Film which had more of a blues influence.
After becoming a mother, Ursull dedicated her life to the education of her two daughters. However,she found time to participate in adifferent project, singing on a single for the Mothers & Fathers duet with Jacques D'Arbaud, a duet on the album of the comic Pat. She also sang on another in 1999 with the reggae artist Djamatik . In 2003, she released a single called Babydoo. From 2004 to 2006 she participated in numerous shows in the West Indes and Paris. Urusll is working on a new album planned for release in 2008.
White And Black Blues
Joëlle Ursull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
J'ai le blues qui me fait froid dans le dos.
Je m'sens dans un conte d'Edgar Allan Poe
C'est le never more, les vumètres à zéro.
White and Black, danse balance sur le White and Black blues.
Nous les Blacks, nous sommes quelques millions treize à la douze.
Paradisiaque, Africa mon amour, j't'ai dans la peau.
Entendez-vous les percussions des tam-tams ?
Elles vous vont droit au coeur, vous transpercent l'âme
Comme la flèche d'un chasseur équateur
Une lame de couteau où scintillent les pleurs.
White and Black, danse balance sur le White and Black blues.
Nous les Blacks, nous sommes quelques millions treize à la douze.
Le long du fleuve, sous le soleil ambré des marécages
Ou qu'il pleuve sur nos amours, que vienne l'orage.
White and Black, danse balance sur le White and Black blues.
Nous les Blacks, nous sommes quelques millions treize à la douze.
White and Black, danse balance sur le White and Black blues.
That's all right, danse balance sur le White blues... And Black !
Joëlle Ursull's song "White And Black Blues" addresses the painful reality of racism and the struggle of people of color to be considered equal. The lyrics express the singer's fear and unease when confronted with discussions about the color of her skin. She feels like she is living in an Edgar Allan Poe tale, with the never-ending uncertainty of not being accepted for who she is. The reference to the "vumètres à zéro" suggests that the world is in a state of stagnation, with no progress being made towards acceptance and inclusion.
The chorus of the song speaks of the "White and Black dance," which represents the balance that needs to be achieved between black and white people. She also refers to the millions of black people who are struggling to be recognized and accepted. In contrast, the singer fondly remembers Africa, the place where she belongs, and where she is free to express herself without fear of discrimination.
The percussion of the song, represented by the "tam-tams," adds depth and power to the message. It is a call to action, inviting people to feel and engage in the struggle for equality. The final repetition of "White and Black, danse balance sur le White and Black blues" suggests that the struggle is ongoing, but there is hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Lorsque l'on me parle de couleur de peau
When people talk to me about skin color
J'ai le blues qui me fait froid dans le dos.
I feel a sense of dread when I hear about it
Je m'sens dans un conte d'Edgar Allan Poe
I feel like I'm in an Edgar Allan Poe story
C'est le never more, les vumètres à zéro.
It feels like there's no hope, like the 'nevermore' of Poe's Raven
White and Black, danse balance sur le White and Black blues.
White and Black, dancing in balance to the White and Black blues
Nous les Blacks, nous sommes quelques millions treize à la douze.
We Blacks, we are a few million thirteen to twelve
Paradisiaque, Africa mon amour, j't'ai dans la peau.
Paradisiacal, Africa my love, I have you under my skin
White and Black, qu'importe la couleur, tous égaux.
White and Black, regardless of color, all equal
Entendez-vous les percussions des tam-tams ?
Do you hear the percussion of the drums?
Elles vous vont droit au coeur, vous transpercent l'âme
They go straight to your heart, piercing your soul
Comme la flèche d'un chasseur équateur
Like the arrow of an equatorial hunter
Une lame de couteau où scintillent les pleurs.
A knife blade where tears sparkle
Le long du fleuve, sous le soleil ambré des marécages
Along the river, under the amber sun of the swamps
Ou qu'il pleuve sur nos amours, que vienne l'orage.
Whether it rains on our love, or the storm comes
That's all right, danse balance sur le White blues... And Black !
That's all right, dance in balance to the White blues... And Black!
Contributed by Evelyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@KattyPichard-zy8ru
Elle méritait de gagner , j arrive toujours pas a comprendre pourquoi elle n a pas gagné 🎼🎶🎵 magnifique chanson, magnifique musique , j adore ❤
@patrickgeromegnace2255
Pour Moi il n'y a pas de doute...Le Duo Gainsbourg Joëlle Ursulle devait gagner largement...Ça...Tout le Monde le sait...Mystere...Au Sommet...Ils ont decidé autrement...C'est cela le Monde d'aujourd'hui...
@CamillePaoloni-uf7tm
😂❤😢😮🎉😅😊
@Paris-Texas1965
@@patrickgeromegnace2255 C'est pas "un duo Gainsbourg Joëlle Ursulle" : la mélodie, la musique, c'est Georges Augier et les paroles, elles, sont de S Gainsbourg...
@franckarmandtetybi6622
Racisme tout simplement
@nacb1726
C'est un concours raciste
@moniqueduhamel6234
Une très belle mélodie composée par un génie et chantée par une voix sublime ! Pourquoi n’a - t- elle pas été primée à l’Eurovision ? Mystère ! Alors à nous de la faire connaître au monde entier. Ce n’est que justice. Encore mille fois bravo à Serge Gainsbourg et Joelle Ursule
@giovannibermont1607
Et bravo aussi au percussionniste Dédé St-Prix
@Paris-Texas1965
"bravo à Serge Gainsbourg et Joelle Ursule"... et à Georges Augier qui est le compositeur de cette chanson... Gainsbourg, c'est uniquement les (jolies) paroles...
@luigicellauro4303
C'EST PAS UNE QUESTION POLITIQUE, MAIS CETTE MÈLODIE AURAIT ĎÛ GAGNER L'EUROVISION CETTE ANNÈE LÀ.