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.
Greta
Kaolin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sur cette peau parfois bleue, je me vois veinard de l'instant, te guérir de tes plaies.
Je me vois sortir, décalé à ton bras, de ton hôtel, palace blanc et mité, imitant toutes ces passes de toréadors hollywoodiens déjà morts.
Je les imagine à tes pieds, leurs liasses calquées sur leurs langues mauves.
Tu as envie d'y retourner et je finirai peut-être par fuir moi ce bruit blanc, mais je note ton accord, et je ne bouge, ne frémis, aucune émulsion ne doit passer.
Tu ne bouges toujours pas, cette odeur de talc, t'alcaline les vêtements et les artères, ces artères altérées de toute part par ces molécules, ces particules américaines, ce smolécules qui te font et t'ont fait perdre la tête mais pas la mélodie Gretschienne.
Greta sur ta Gretsch patinée, toutes ces molécules américaines t'ont fait perdre la tête. J'éclaircis tes mèches, je touche à tes cheveux, je vois tes gestes, tes vêtements, ces molécules amricaines qui t'ont fais perdre la tête.
Greta sur ta Gretsch patinée, sur ton fauteuil, tu joues encore, tu joues encore en désaccord, je vois bien distinctement, les molécules, ces molécules américaines.
The lyrics of Kaolin's song "Greta" are rich in metaphors and imagery, conveying the singer's admiration and fascination for a woman named Greta who plays guitar on her old Gretsch guitar. The singer pictures Greta blushing at his words, her hair getting lighter and her arms getting paler as if under the spell of his charm. He sees himself walking with her out of a worn-out hotel, mimicking the moves of dead Hollywood toreros who are now at her feet, hopelessly infatuated with her.
The singer notes that Greta still plays on her old guitar, even though it is out of tune, and he is willing to endure the white noise that comes with it just to be near her. As he touches her hair and clothes, he feels the particles of American molecules that have altered her body and mind, but have not taken away her Gretsch melody. The final lines of the song suggest that Greta's guitar playing is both an escape and a source of comfort for her.
Line by Line Meaning
Great sur ta Gretsch patinée, je t'imagine rosir à mes propos, éclaircir tes mèches et pâlir tes bras.
I picture you blushing at my words, your hair lightening, and your arms growing paler as you play on your aged Gretsch guitar.
Sur cette peau parfois bleue, je me vois veinard de l'instant, te guérir de tes plaies.
Sometimes when you seem blue, I feel lucky to be there in the moment, hoping to heal your wounds.
Je me vois sortir, décalé à ton bras, de ton hôtel, palace blanc et mité, imitant toutes ces passes de toréadors hollywoodiens déjà morts.
I imagine walking out of your old, dilapidated hotel with you, feeling out of place like a dead Hollywood toreador, imitating their moves.
Je les imagine à tes pieds, leurs liasses calquées sur leurs langues mauves.
I picture the wealthy men who fawn over you, their tongues heavy with flattery and their pockets overflowing with cash, bowing at your feet.
Great toi, sur ta Gretsch patinée, sur ton vieux club tu joue encore en désaccord.
You, playing your well-worn Gretsch guitar in your old club, intentionally playing out of tune.
Tu as envie d'y retourner et je finirai peut-être par fuir moi ce bruit blanc, mais je note ton accord, et je ne bouge, ne frémis, aucune émulsion ne doit passer.
You want to keep playing there, and while I may eventually grow tired of the noise, I take note of your desire and stay still, refusing to react in any way.
Tu ne bouges toujours pas, cette odeur de talc, t'alcaline les vêtements et les artères, ces artères altérées de toute part par ces molécules, ces particules américaines, ce smolécules qui te font et t'ont fait perdre la tête mais pas la mélodie Gretschienne.
You remain motionless, letting the scent of talcum powder permeate your clothes and your veins, altered by the American molecules and particulates that have driven you crazy but haven't affected your ability to play your Gretsch guitar.
Greta sur ta Gretsch patinée, toutes ces molécules américaines t'ont fait perdre la tête. J'éclaircis tes mèches, je touche à tes cheveux, je vois tes gestes, tes vêtements, ces molécules américaines qui t'ont fais perdre la tête.
Greta, playing your worn Gretsch guitar, the American molecules have driven you mad. I run my fingers through your hair, watching your movements and clothes, all affected by these molecules that have driven you crazy.
Greta sur ta Gretsch patinée, sur ton fauteuil, tu joues encore, tu joues encore en désaccord, je vois bien distinctement, les molécules, ces molécules américaines.
Greta, playing your well-loved Gretsch guitar in your armchair, still intentionally playing out of tune, and I can clearly see the American molecules that have affected you.
Contributed by Molly S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.