1) French rock band
Kaolin is a french rock band, with various musical influences but french lyrics. Their music style can be sometimes quite similar to post-rock and at other times a rageful power pop, always underlined by a fine melodic talent, which protects the band from a hasty and simplistic categorization.
Originating in Montlucon, they remain attached to their native Auvergne region and continue to rehearse in this city. Throughout their young career (2 EPs self-produced and 2 LPs), they were lucky to collaborate with Valentins, Paul Corkett (The Cure, Placebo) and Dave Fridmann (Mogwai, Flaming Lips, Weezer...).
Their new album is mainly sung in french, and contains a song inspired by "I want you" by Bob Dylan called "Partons vite", which is now a hit in France.
2) South African singer
The song "Stranger" is from the South African singer Kaolin Thompson.
Fais semblant
Kaolin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fait s'éclairer les beaux jours x3.
Ris un peu, fais semblant,
Mais montre-nous c'est indécent x3.
Refrain :
Fais se frotter tous ces Hommes à tes hanches,
Joue de tes seins de tes cris, ta revanche.
Cambre un peu, griffe au cou,
Fais se plier ces beaux jours x3.
Gifle un peu, sois jalouse,
Fais se planter tes ongles rouges x3.
Refrain.
Recommence, file tes pas,
Fais moi rougir, n'arrête pas x3.
Griffe un peu, jusqu'au sang,
Fais se plier tes amants x3.
Refrain.
(Merci à Maelle pour cettes paroles)
The lyrics to Kaolin's song "Fais semblant" speak about the portrayal of a sexualized image in order to gain power and control over men. The first verse tells the listener to "swallow everything, update, make the beautiful days shine" which suggests that the person being addressed is willing to do whatever it takes to maintain a certain image, even if it means hiding their true self. The next line, "laugh a bit, pretend, but show us it's indecent" implies that this person is putting on a show and pretending to be something they are not, but deep down they know that what they are doing is not respectable.
The chorus then reinforces this idea, telling the person to "rub all these men against your hips, play with your breasts, your screams, your revenge" suggesting that the only way for this person to gain power is through their sexuality. The second verse echoes the sentiment of the first, telling the person to "arch their back a bit, scratch the neck, make these beautiful days bend" with the added directive to "slap a bit, be jealous, make your red nails dig in" which shows that this person is willing to go to extremes to maintain their image and keep their power.
The final verse encourages the person to continue on this path, telling them to "do it again, take your steps, make me blush, don't stop" and finally to "scratch a bit, until it bleeds, make your lovers bend" reinforcing the idea that this person's power comes from their willingness to portray themselves in a sexualized way. Overall, the lyrics suggest that this person is willing to sacrifice their true self for the sake of gaining power and control over others, but it leaves the listener to question whether this is a healthy or sustainable way to live.
Line by Line Meaning
Ravale tout, mets à jour,
Suppress everything, update,
Fait s'éclairer les beaux jours x3.
Make the beautiful days light up x3.
Ris un peu, fais semblant,
Laugh a little, pretend,
Mais montre-nous c'est indécent x3.
But show us it's indecent x3.
Refrain :
Chorus:
Fais se frotter tous ces Hommes à tes hanches,
Make all these men rub against your hips,
Joue de tes seins de tes cris, ta revanche.
Play with your breasts and your screams, your revenge.
Cambre un peu, griffe au cou,
Arch a little, scratch the neck,
Fais se plier ces beaux jours x3.
Make these beautiful days bend x3.
Gifle un peu, sois jalouse,
Slap a little, be jealous,
Fais se planter tes ongles rouges x3.
Make your red nails dig in x3.
Refrain.
Chorus.
Recommence, file tes pas,
Start over, walk away,
Fais moi rougir, n'arrête pas x3.
Make me blush, don't stop x3.
Griffe un peu, jusqu'au sang,
Scratch a little, until it bleeds,
Fais se plier tes amants x3.
Make your lovers bend x3.
Refrain.
Chorus.
Contributed by Eliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.