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 Haut Est Essentiel
Kaolin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Toi sur moi
Ces nuits passées entre tes bas
Rappelle-toi
Toi et moi
A gesticuler sur ces amas
Le haut est essentiel
(mais) ce superflu n'inquiète pas ma haine
Alors je vois
Que tu t'approches vers moi
Que tu reviens à moi
Et là comme un appas je te BROIS
Tout est perdu
Le haut est essentiel
(mais) ce superflu n'inquiète pas ma haine
Alors je vois
Rien n'est perdu
La nuit était essentielle
T'enfiler sous entendu
N'inquiète plus ma haine
Alors je vois...
The lyrics to Kaolin's song Le Haut Est Essentiel tell a story of a past relationship that has now come to an end. The first two lines, “Rappelle-toi, toi sur moi ces nuits passées entre tes bas” (Remember, you on me, those nights spent between your stockings) reminisce on intimate moments shared between the two lovers. The following two lines, “Toi et moi a gesticuler sur ces amas” (You and me, gesturing on these masses) seem to suggest that the two shared a grand vision for their future together.
However, the following line “Tout est perdu, le haut est essentiel” (All is lost, the high is essential) suggests that despite their grand plans, something important was missing from the relationship. The singer’s “hate” is not concerned with this “superfluous” thing that was apparently missing from the relationship.
In the second verse, the singer sees the former lover approaching and feels a desire to crush them like bait. The following lines repeat the sentiments of the first verse, but with a twist: “Rien n’est perdu, la nuit était essentielle” (Nothing is lost, the night was essential), implying that although the relationship may have failed, the experiences they shared during their time together are still valuable.
Line by Line Meaning
Rappelle-toi
Remember
Toi sur moi
You on me
Ces nuits passées entre tes bas
Those nights spent between your legs
Toi et moi
You and me
A gesticuler sur ces amas
Gesturing over these piles
Tout est perdu
All is lost
Le haut est essentiel
The top is essential
(mais) ce superflu n'inquiète pas ma haine
(but) this excess doesn't worry my hatred
Alors je vois
So I see
Que tu t'approches vers moi
That you're approaching me
Que tu reviens à moi
That you're coming back to me
Et là comme un appas je te BROIS
And there, like a lure, I crush you
Rien n'est perdu
Nothing is lost
La nuit était essentielle
The night was essential
T'enfiler sous entendu
To hint at getting you into bed
N'inquiète plus ma haine
No longer worries my hatred
Alors je vois...
So I see...
Contributed by Lucy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.