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.
Le Geste
Kaolin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Entre noirceur et fumée
Faire tomber ces braises d'un geste
Léger
Sentir cette brume épaisse
Xxxx carresser
Et penser à la blonde tendresse
Je prendrai ces manies qu'on déteste
Sans broncher
J'comprendrai qu'on n'oublie pas et qu'on reste
Accroché
Passer pour une heure lente
A l'air libre, filtré, obsédé
Par l'envie omniprésente
De consummer
Je prendrai ces manies qu'on déteste
Sans broncher
J'apprendrai qu'on n'oublie pas et qu'on reste
Accroché
Je prendrai ces manies qu'on déteste
Sans broncher
J'apprendrai qu'on n'oublie pas et qu'on reste
Accroché
Je prendrai ces manies qu'on déteste
Sans broncher
J'comprendrai qu'on n'oublie pas et qu'on reste
Accro
ché
The lyrics of Kaolin's song Le Geste describe a moment of introspection and reflection. The singer is contemplating their own actions and habits, acknowledging that some may be disliked by others. They use the imagery of clearing away ashes and embers, a gesture both light and necessary, to symbolize this process of self-awareness. As they breathe in the thick fog around them, they think of "blonde tenderness" (possibly a metaphor for a lost love or childhood innocence) as a way to center themselves and find the words to express their feelings.
The second half of the song repeats this theme of acceptance and understanding, as the singer vows to endure the things they dislike about themselves and others, and remember that emotional connections can be powerful and enduring.
Overall, the lyrics of Le Geste suggest a deep sensitivity and awareness of one's own flaws and the complexities of human relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Virer les cendres qu'il reste
To remove the remaining ashes
Entre noirceur et fumée
Amidst darkness and smoke
Faire tomber ces braises d'un geste
To make the embers fall with a single gesture
Léger
Lightly
Sentir cette brume épaisse
Feeling the thick mist
Xxxx carresser
Caressing the unknown (the missing word cannot be interpreted)
Et penser à la blonde tendresse
And thinking of the soft tenderness
Pour mieux parler
To speak more clearly
Je prendrai ces manies qu'on déteste
I'll take these habits that others hate
Sans broncher
Without flinching
J'comprendrai qu'on n'oublie pas et qu'on reste
I'll understand that one doesn't forget and stays
Accroché
Attached
Passer pour une heure lente
To pass for a slow hour
A l'air libre, filtré, obsédé
In the open air, filtered, obsessed
Par l'envie omniprésente
With the ever-present desire
De consummer
To consume
Contributed by Ethan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.