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.
Histoire De Dire
Kaolin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Je rêvais sûrement
De chants rimants
Hiver et printemps
Etant lentement
Egaré d'avance
Serti de sang
Je songeais longtemps...
Des reflets flottent
Entre nous deux
Image de cils
Qui traînent deux par deux
Des forêts nues sans feuilles
Ni feu
Comestibles
Rien qu'entre nous deux...
The lyrics of Kaolin's song "Histoire De Dire" speak to the experience of growing up and the dreams and emotions that come with it. The first stanza describes a child who likely dreamed of singing songs that had a poetic and rhythmic quality to them. As the child grows up, they become lost and surrounded by violence and bloodshed, which causes them to think deeply about their life and their dreams. The second stanza describes the connection between two people, with the imagery of eyelashes intermingling, and the absence of foliage suggests a kind of intimacy that is not meant to be shared with others. The use of the word "comestibles" suggests something that is not just beautiful but also consumable or edible – perhaps hinting at a deeper level of intimacy between the two individuals.
Overall, the lyrics suggest an introspective mood and a melancholic tone. The use of surreal and poetic imagery creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, leaving the meaning of the song open to interpretation. It is possible that the song speaks to the experience of growing up and finding oneself lost in a world of violence and confusion, and the desire to find meaningful connections with other people despite the difficulties and challenges that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Etant enfant
As a child
Je rêvais sûrement
I must have dreamed
De chants rimants
Of rhyming songs
Hiver et printemps
Winter and spring
Etant lentement
Slowly
Egaré d'avance
Lost in advance
Serti de sang
Stained with blood
Je songeais longtemps...
I thought for a long time...
Des reflets flottent
Reflections float
Entre nous deux
Between us two
Image de cils
Image of lashes
Qui traînent deux par deux
Dragging two by two
Des forêts nues sans feuilles
Forests without leaves
Ni feu
Nor fire
Comestibles
Edible
Rien qu'entre nous deux...
Nothing but between us two...
Contributed by Zoe L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.